Hamilton Southeastern girls soccer coach Greg Davidson already has this to say after only a week of practice: “We love our team.”
What’s not to love? The Royals, a perennial top 10 team, have everything a team could want: A group of solid seniors, a nice-sized core of experienced juniors, and a few new players who will likely be in the mix.
First among the senior class will be a four-year varsity player Saanika Kamat, a First Team All State player in 2015. Davidson noted that Kamat is on the All-American watch list. Another senior to watch is three-year varsity player Carly Count.
Among the juniors, Ava Keaffaber will be a three-year varsity starter and one of the leading scorers from last year’s team. Keaffaber had seven assists and scored four goals last season. Claire Wilkinson, another junior, also had four goals last year. Goalkeeper Chloe Banning had two varsity starts last season; Davidson said she is “playing at a very high level.”
Sophomore Layla Brown comes back for her second year on varsity. Three freshmen also made varsity: Molly Harris, Lydia Self and Izzie Wallace.
“The seniors have shown amazing leadership this summer, we have a work ethic that I am proud of, and our skill is very high,” said Davidson. “We will have a lot of fun this season.”
ROSTER
Seniors: Grace Barton, Carly Count, Claire Eichorst, Ellie Gerstner, Saanika Kamat, Rylee Nichwitz, Katie Reed.
Juniors: Chloe Banning, Madison Dalton, Allison Ellis, Ava Keaffaber, Taylor Pozzebon, Brooke Satterfield, Claire Wilkinson.
Sophomore: Layla Brown, Ava Marquardt, Nathalie McLeish.
Freshmen: Molly Harris, Lydia Self, Izzie Wallace.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 14: Lawrence North, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 16: Carmel, 6:30 p.m.
Aug: 18: Warsaw at South Bend St. Joseph Tournament, 6 p.m.
Aug 19: Munster at South Bend St. Joseph Tournament, 9 a.m.
Aug. 19: South Bend St. Joseph, 2:30 p.m.
Aug. 23: at Brownsburg, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30: Avon, 7 p.m.
Sept 1: St. Ursula (Ohio) at Zionsville Invite, 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 2: Brunswick (Ohio) at Zionsville Invite, 1:15 p.m.
Sept. 6: at Fishers, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 9: Crown Point, 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 9: Fort Wayne Carroll, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 13: Westfield, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14: at Mount Vernon, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 18: McCutcheon, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 20: at Zionsville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27: Noblesville, 6:30 p.m.