Perkins returns wealth of experience in tough NOC

Two seasons ago, the Perkins girls soccer team won a district championship. Last year, the Pirates fell short of that goal in a district final loss to Elida. Perkins returns nearly its entire lineup with district championship and league title goals on its mind. "It really does motivate us," said Pirates senior MJ Fullerton of the district final loss. "It brings us closer overall. It was a hard loss and a lot earlier than we wanted it to be. Now we know where we need to push this season and we're doing that right now." Perkins is a combined 33-5-3 over the past two seasons. Despite the vast success, a league championship has evaded the Pirates. They want to be the first team to win one in the newly-formed Northern Ohio Conference. "We want that pretty bad," senior Emma Mullins said. "We have to work on ourselves first to get there." Perkins was 16-3-1 overall last year. The Pirates lost 3-0 to Woodmore and tied Norwalk 2-2 in league play. One of the biggest pieces returning for Perkins is senior goalie Lucy Miller, who had 12 shutouts last year. "I think we have to make sure we play our best every single day," Miller said. "We can't have off days against big teams like Norwalk and Huron. We have to make sure we come out ready for every single game." Isa Ramirez (striker) and Jordyn Brunner (midfielder) were both first-team league picks last year. They have been key cogs to the Perkins offense over the past few seasons. "I'd say we have to work harder in every practice," Ramirez said. "We have to get our conditioning in, which we've been doing a lot. We have spent a lot of time bonding together, so hopefully we'll show that out on the field." Coach Scott McVeigh said his team has been busy this summer. The Pirates got together with Bloom-Carroll and Ontario for combined practices and got to play in a summer league in Norwalk over the course of six weeks. "We've been testing ourselves," McVeigh said. "I'm excited about the group we have. It's an experienced group with a nice core of seniors, especially. These girls are great and they show great leadership. The effort is never questioned. They're great role models for the younger girls coming up through. "It's a tight-knit group and the chemistry within the team really shines through everything." The Pirates will have to replace a pair of players from last year's team, neither of which graduated. Two-sport athlete Ireland Hart was hurt during the season last year. This year, she opted to stick with just golf, where she has multiple college offers. Makenna Marianek, a first-team pick at defender, moved out of state. "I think we have 12 returning letterwinners," McVeigh said. "Ireland tore her ACL last year in powder-puff football and she's going some places with golf. She made a tough decision to go that path. I think Makenna basically started 2 1/2 years and Ireland started the last two years. It's two big pieces to replace." One big change for Perkins this year is moving down from Division III to Division IV. Ottawa-Glandorf and Liberty-Benton won the two Division IV districts last year. "It's different, but it doesn't get any easier," McVeigh said. "I know that. Division IV is solid. It's as solid as Division III. It's in the back of our mind and we'll keep an eye on teams as we play throughout the year. "We'll work every day to put ourselves in a good position to when we get to that tournament draw in October." The Pirates open the season Aug. 14 at Maumee. Perkins topped Maumee 1-0 last year. Two seasons ago, the teams played to a scoreless tie to open the season before the Pirates beat Maumee 1-0 in a district semifinal. "I love playing the harder teams at the beginning and getting the good competition," senior Jordyn Brunner said. "I think when you start off like that, some of the games later in the season may feel a little easier. I think when we start off with the harder teams, it's good for your mentality." AROUND THE NOC Norwalk The Truckers were 13-4-2 a year ago, losing to Ontario in a district semifinal. Norwalk returns the Player of the Year in the former Sandusky Bay Conference in senior Claire Spettle. She tallied 37 of Norwalk's 79 goals last season. She is committed to NCAA Div. I Bowling Green State University. "Our strength is in our offense," Truckers coach Michelle Sandor said. "We are returning Claire Spettle, who is a two-time All-Ohio player. She is surrounded on offense by returners Kira Sandor and CJ Bennett. The three of them have proven to combine well and are a definite offensive threat. "Add into that Cora Proctor, who is returning after an injury, and freshman Liv Darovich, and I believe we have a very dangerous offense." Norwalk tied Perkins for second in the league behind Woodmore, who stayed behind in the SBC. The Truckers must replace first-team defenders Taryn Temple and Ella Andrews, as well as second-team picks Audrey Sanders (midfielder) and Xavi Immel (attacker, 14 goals). "We graduated some very good players and so we have some spots to fill," Sandor said. "Our defense has some new faces so we are working on developing and growing in that area. "I'm excited for the season. We have a lot of talented players returning and I'm looking forward to our first year in the NOC." Huron The Tigers weren't far off the pace atop the league last year. Huron finished 7-9-1 overall, but 7-3-1 in league matches a season ago. The Tigers return first-team goalie Lucy Hinners, but will be without the services of junior Lillian Thompson. The first-team midfielder suffered an ACL injury this past spring in club soccer. "Our biggest strength this year will be our depth," Huron coach Josh Thompson said. "We have 11 seniors and 23 players total on the roster, which is great to see as the numbers have grown each year I've been here. Not only do we have numbers, but we have quality depth. "On any given night, we should be 18 to 19 deep with players who can come in and contribute at the varsity level right away, allowing us to bring a few of the other players along in a more developmental role." The Tigers do return first-team picks Chloe Shaw (defender) and Ava Manner (attacker), both of which are seniors. "We have a deep senior class full of talented players that will be our catalyst, with a bunch of talented underclassmen mixed in," coach Thompson said. "The girls have been through several ups and downs over the last few years and should be in a prime position to compete with anyone this season." Port Clinton The Redskins tied Edison in the league standings, each going 5-5-1. Port Clinton had just one first-team pick last year, midfielder Emma Knecht, but she graduated. "We are excited for the season to begin," PC coach Paco Romero said. "We have a hard working group of girls. We are very athletic and are getting better every day." The Redskins were 7-9-1 last year. Junior Kerstin Thompson (second-team defender) and junior Addisyn Mooney (second-team attacker) return for Port Clinton. "The leadership from our veterans has been outstanding and has helped motivate girls to work in the off season," Romero said. Edison The Chargers' two first-team picks from last season both graduated. Edison (5-11-2) must replace Kellyn Ritchie (midfielder) and Sophie Baker (attacker), but return second-team keeper Ella Rogers. "We're excited about the opportunities this season presents," Chargers coach Ryan Fry said. "We have a young team with several players stepping into larger roles, but they've shown a great attitude and willingness to learn. Our goal is to continue building a competitive program by improving every day, playing together and competing for each other. "We know there will be challenges, but we're looking forward to seeing this group grow throughout the season." A pair of second-team defenders also graduated from Edison, Mary Moon and Payton Koch. "I think our biggest strengths will be our team chemistry, work ethic and willingness to compete," Fry said. "This group genuinely enjoys being around one another and that makes practices and games more enjoyable. "We also have players who are versatile and willing to play wherever the team needs them, which gives us some flexibility." Bellevue This season will be just the Lady Red's second as a full varsity team. Bellevue was 5-10-1 overall and 4-6 in league play in its initial season. The Lady Red return first-team defender Angela Sanchez and second-team midfielder Lyla Young, both sophomores. "We are excited for the start of the season and the opportunity to continue to build on what we did last season," Bellevue coach Josh Young said. "I thought we were really close to playing the way we wanted to last year and we hope to take that step this year. "Our seniors have been so important to us in starting our program we want to do our best to send them out with a season they will be proud of." Sandusky The Blue Streaks were just 3-16 overall and 1-10 in league action. Sandusky didn't have any picks on the first or second teams. "I'm excited about the coming season," Sandusky coach Andrew Chwalik said. "Being my first season at the helm, I'm looking forward to getting to know the girls better, teaching them how to play the beautiful game effectively, learning about the Sandusky traditions and establishing a culture of growth for future years." The others Clyde was 6-10-2 overall and 4-7 in league play while the Sailors were 5-11-1 overall and 3-6-1 in league. The Fliers return first-team attacker Meredith Greenslade while Vermilion brings back second-team attacker Morgan Frenk. Returning All-SBC selections First team Keeper: Lucy Hinners, Huron; Lucy Miller, Perkins Defender: Chloe Shaw, Huron; Angela Sanchez, Bellevue Midfielder: Jordyn Brunner, Perkins; CJ Bennett, Norwalk; Lillian Thompson, Huron Attacker: Claire Spettle, Norwalk; Isa Ramirez, Perkins; Ava Manner, Huron; Meredith Greenslade, Clyde Second team Keeper: Ella Rogers, Edison Defender: Allie Brunner, Perkins; Kerstin Thompson, Port Clinton Midfielder: Lyla Young, Bellevue; Emma Mullins, Perkins Attacker: Morgan Frenk, Vermilion; Addisyn Mooney, Port Clinton; Erin Findley, Huron Honorable mention Keeper: Becca Farmer, Norwalk Defender: Audrina Roberts, Vermilion; Ella Bodi, Port Clinton; Laynie Findley, Huron Midfielder: Hayley Henning, Perkins; Kate Ryan, Huron Attacker: Kailyn Dickman, Edison