By RICHIE HALL
sports@readthereporter.com
As the Hamilton Heights girls soccer team gets ready to begin its season, coach Travis Kauffman said this year’s team has a “significant learning curve” for individuals and the team as a whole.
“That’s not a criticism of them but just the reality after you graduate a class that included nine starters,” said Kauffman. Last year’s Huskies team had a great season, finishing 17-4, winning a sectional title and advancing to the regional championship game.
While the Huskies will have several new players, there is quite a bit of challenge and spirit on the team. Kauffman said that the early practices “have begun to show us who is able and willing” to step up and fill spots on offense, defense and in goal – “everywhere,” said Kauffman.
Heights has three players returning from last year’s team that will lead the way. Senior Cassidy Felger, the team’s co-MVP from last year, is back as a midfielder and returns the most goals from the previous season with 15, and the most assists with 11.
Junior Ella Hickok, a forward/midfield swing, is another key returner, as she scored 11 goals last season. Sophomore Savannah Deetz is back as a defender. The Huskies also got a big transfer in junior Annabelle Peterson, who will divide time between defense and the midfield.
Riley Landis is another returning senior, while Emma Linville and Dessie Miller are back as juniors. Heights has a large sophomore class on the varsity list, with Addyson Ferguson, Natalie Marcum and Lizzy Smith coming back.
“If what we see is any indication, we are developing as we need to and we’re confident we’ll get better as the season progresses, which is what every coach wants to see, and I’m confident that we’ll be competitive when it comes time for our conference tournament near the end of the season and in our sectional,” said Kauffman. “The team, most importantly, is finding their identity together and has developed the chemistry that is hard to coach but is fun to see and necessary for season-long growth and success.”
The Huskies will be road warriors, as they play their first five games on the road. The season starts Tuesday at Heritage Christian, then Heights plays at the Lebanon Invitational on Aug. 20.
“The team has been tremendously excited to play and to play together,” said Kauffman. “They know the reality of our graduated losses and what we face this year but they refuse to see this as a ‘rebuilding’ year and the connotations that come with it. Their attitude is that we get to decide what we’ll be and how good we can be, not anyone on the outside. They know it won’t be easy nor will it always be consistent or smooth results but they have bought into the idea that they need to, and will, earn it together.”