Despite key losses, Lady Eagles still talented

BY SHANE HENNIGAN
Times-Shamrock Writer

Three-time defending Class A champion Mountain View lost three-time All-Region and 2012 Player of the Year Jenny Molenko to graduation. The Lady Eagles, however, return a lot of talent.

Juniors Stephanie Ostir and Hannah Richner were both first-team all-stars last season. Ostir was an All-Region defender.

Cailin Burney, Hannah Phillips, Tori Wilder, Ali Showalter, Makenna Whitaker and Karlee Weida, who were all second-team all-stars last season, return.

“We have a small team but they’re all extremely talented and hard-working,” first-year coach Erika Lewis said. “The returning starters are showing a lot of effort and are still putting in just as much effort as everyone else, which I think shows great leadership. I’m really excited to see how the season will go.”

Like the other two divisions, this division shapes up to be a tough one. Montrose, which lost in the district championship to Mountain View, has 10 starters back, including All-Region goalkeeper Anna Churco.

Lakeland has junior All-Region midfielder Taylor Flynn among six starters back. Holy Cross also returns six starters, including junior Felicia Dzielak, who was a first-team all-star last season.

MOUNTAIN VIEW LADY EAGLES
Home field: Mountain View High School
Last season: 15-1
Head coach: Erika Lewis
Returning starters: Makenna Whitaker, Sr., Mid.; Tori Wilder, Sr., Def.; Ali Virbitsky, Sr., Def.; Ali Showalter, Jr., Mid.; Karlee Weida, Jr., Fwd.; Hannah Richner, Jr., Mid.; Hannah Philips, Jr., Def./G; Stephanie Ostir, Jr., Def.; Cailin Burney, So., Def.
Other returning: Lexy Wansacz, Jr., Def.; Emily Shevchok, So., Def./G.
Newcomers: Erika Freely, Fr., Fwd; Lucy Adams, Fr., Def./G; Sam Jones, Fr., Mid.

ELK LAKE
LADY WARRIORS
Home field: Elk Lake High School
Last season: 2-9
No further information provided

FOREST CITY
LADY FORESTERS
Home field: Forest City High School
Last season: 5-6
Head coach: Ken Goben
Returning starters: Jamie Walsh, Sr., Mid.; Madison Gasper, Sr., G; Abigail Westgate, Sr., Def.; Kaitlyn Zembzycki, Sr., Mid.; Madison McGraw, Sr., Mid.; Elizabeth Kelly, Sr., Def.
Other returning: Monique Barasse, Jr., Fwd.; Heather Agentovich, Jr., Def.; Alexis Piasecki, Sr., Fwd.; Alyssa Holiday, Sr., Mid.
Newcomers: Mackenzie Hartman, Fr., Fwd.; Kayla Dishong, Fr., Def.; Madison Gasper, Fr., Def.; Kaitlyn Hentschel, Fr., Fwd.

MONTROSE
LADY METEORS
Home field: Montrose High School
Last season: 11-3
Head coach: John Cherundolo
Returning starters: Mara Blachek, Sr., Def.; Meghan Gilhool, Sr., Mid.; Morgan Groover, Sr., Def.; Hannah Dieck, Sr., Mid.; Olivia Ely, Sr., Def.; Anna Churco, Sr., G; Kaylee Russell, Sr., Mid.; Emma Griffiths, Jr., Mid.; Kourtney Snigar, Jr., Def.; Krysten Morgan, So., Str.
Other returning: Ali Reynolds, Sr., Def.; Fallon Gurn, Sr., Def.; Michaela Pike, Jr., G; Kendra Christy, Jr., Mid.; Mayanna Trecoske, Jr., Mid.
Newcomers: Alexis Dabulewicz, So., Mid.; Lauren Andre, Fr., Str.; Amber Ralston, Fr., Mid.