Carmel is known for its strong girls soccer teams, and the 2017 edition of the Greyhounds will be another one.
Coach Frank Dixon said there are 14 returning letter winners from last season’s team, which finished the year 14-3-1 before being upset by Guerin Catholic in the sectional championship. A key player back is senior Katie Soderstrom, who last season became Carmel’s first girl to score 20 goals in a season since Monica Dolinsky in 2005. Soderstrom, who also handed out 12 assists, has committed to play at Butler University.
Also back is sophomore Kelsie James, who has already committed to Valparaiso. James returns after scoring five goals and 11 assists in her freshman season.
Midfielders include several players that are already committed to colleges: Senior Taylor Rudin (Wheaton College), senior Lucy Lyon (Samford) and junior Ashley Witucki (Purdue). Other returnees include three more midfielders – senior Jessica Dilger, junior Katie Donovan and sophomore Morgan Parker – and a defender, junior Anna Springer.
Senior Emily Melchi was the backup goalkeeper for Carmel last season, playing almost 400 minutes (the equivalent of five full games) with a 0.893 goals against average. Playing in front of Melchi are two juniors, Elizabeth Hargis and Western Kentucky recruit Emily Speidel. Senior Tess Nihill and sophomore Olivia Fray round out the defense.
“The coaching staff already likes this team,” said Dixon. “It has a combination of experience, youth, size, speed and skill. We will have to find a way to replace almost half our offensive production from last season which will take time but we feel that with work we can get that done by tournament time in October. As always, a very tough schedule should help us prepare for the post season.”
Carmel opens that tough season at Hamilton Southeastern on Wednesday, then hosts Guerin Catholic on Friday.
ROSTER
Seniors: Jessica Dilger, Emily Melchi, Tess Nihill, Taylor Rudin, Katie Soderstrom.
Juniors: Austin Ackermann, Katie Donovan, Bailey Inglis, Elyse Reed, Emily Speidel, Anna Springer, Ashley Witucki.
Sophomores: Emma Antoine, Olivia Fray, Mia Glass, Kelsie James, Naomi Mann, Morgan Parker, Aaliyah Thompson.
Freshmen: Brooke Bailey, Erin Baker, Susie Soderstrom.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 16: at Hamilton Southeastern, 7 p.m.
Aug. 18: Guerin Catholic, 7 p.m.
Aug. 21: Ben Davis, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26: Cathedral, TBA
Aug. 26: Fishers, TBA
Aug. 30: Pike, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2: Notre Dame Academy (Ohio), 9:45 a.m. at Zionsville
Sept. 2: Penn, 4:45 p.m. at Zionsville
Sept. 5: at Lawrence North, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6: at Lawrence Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: at North Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13: Warren Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18: Noblesville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: at Zionsville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25: Westfield, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27: at Center Grove, 7 p.m.