The young team that took to the field for the Hamilton Heights girls soccer program last season is now a year older and a year more experienced.
The Huskies are also motivated to succeed, and are hoping that desire leads them to conference and sectional championships. This year’s Heights team has the potential to challenge for both.
Huskies coach Travis Kaufmann returns several solid players on both sides of the ball. That includes senior Madison Bickett, who scored 11 goals last year and made eight assists. Junior Elaina Page found the back of the net eight times, with senior Lauren Stirn scoring seven goals.
More key returners include junior Kinsie Schneider on defense and two midfielders, senior Kinsey Dimmock and sophomore Emily Stirn. Other top players back include senior Madi Hasler and juniors Maria Noller and Makena Trew.
“We have a team this year where we won’t have that one or two players that everyone expects to do everything for us,” said Kaufmann. “It’s not a team with an all-star or two – they all know they’ll each be necessary for the team to be successful this year. We had significant injuries and some on-field struggles last year that were frustrating to the team and left us with a stronger desire this year to improve on last year and prove that we are better than we were.”
At the same time, last year’s team was able to gain valuable experience. Kaufmann said the Huskies’ defense often featured three sophomores and two freshmen, “which I believe gave them and us a chance to grow and learn a great deal about the game at this level,” said the coach.
Heights plays its first few games on the road, opening with a Monday trip to Western Boone. The Huskies will then compete in the Lebanon Invitational on Aug. 19, then travel to Sheridan on Aug. 21.
This year will be the first with three classes in the IHSAA soccer post-season; Heights will play in Class 2A after playing in 1A in the two-class system ever since it started in 2011. The Huskies won four sectional titles in a row from 2011 to 2014, and are ready to get back into the winner’s circle – after winning a Hoosier Conference championship.
“It will not be an easy task but this team wants to earn the success that eluded them last year,” said Kaufmann.
ROSTER
Seniors: Madison Bickett, Kinsey Dimmock, Madi Hasler, Jenna McGrew, Lauren Stirn.
Juniors: Katy Beery, Mackenzie Bryant, Alyssa Irwin, Amanda Irwin, Maddie Nickel, Maria Noller, Elaina Page, Kinsie Schneider, Makena Trew.
Sophomores: Tessa Harr, Shanna Moffatt, Emily Stirn.
Freshman: Maria Mitchell.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 14: at Western Boone, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 19: at Lebanon Invitational, 11 a.m.
Aug. 21: at Sheridan, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 23: Western, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26: Yorktown, 6 p.m.
Aug. 28: at University, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29: Northwestern, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 7: Kokomo, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: at Westfield, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 14: at Bishop Chatard, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: at Marion, 5 p.m.
Sept. 20, 21, 23: Hoosier Conference Tournament
Sept. 25: Oak Hill, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27: Pendleton Heights, 7 p.m.