On 7/29/2022 at 9:20 AM, FrankNicodemus said:

10. BISHOP BROSSART

9. RYLE

8. BEECHWOOD

7. CONNER

6. HOLY CROSS (COVINGTON)

• Well here is my "surprise" of the week!  I am sure not many non-Holy Cross people saw this coming maybe. I assume @rjalsaw this coming!  I really like what I see from this team.  They started in my Top 10 last year but stumbled out of the gate going 3-5 (with losses against Villa, Brossart & Beechwood) in that timespan and never could get back in!
• 2021 record: 10-8-1
• Key Players returning:  Everybody (minus 1), Top Players will be Ivy Hoffman (Jr) led the team in goals and assists last year with 18 goals/9 Assists.  She will be teamed up on the offense with the Senior duo of Rylee Veneman and Sydney Quercioli.  Unlike last year when they only had 1 Senior on the roster this year they will have 10, which also includes the Goalkeeper tandem of Stephanie Ross & Mia Wilson.
• Key Players lost:  Abi Beane who was a defender was the ONLY player that graduated!!  
• Soccerama opponent:  NCC (Fri, Aug 5th at 7:30pm) 

I was wondering if the Indians would get some love in this thread.  After the bad loss to Beechwood last year they made some adjustments and while the record didn't reflect it, did much better the second half of the season.  Lots of close games to schools like Campbell Co Ryle, Cooper, Conner etc.  In addition to the players mentioned above we have the three junior Saalfeld cousins Addison, Bella, and Jenna who will be big contributors mostly in the midfield and sophomore defender Ella Lehmkuhl who was the only freshman starter last year.  In the goal senior Mia Wilson will share time with sophomore Suzette Kleiss who played mostly JV last year and had an injury but at approx 6 ft tall has a huge reach and is very athletic.  Stephanie decided to hang up her cleats this year.  We will have a more depth off the bench with the girls all having another year under their belts.  While the Indians don't have the rep of some of the schools they actually have three ECNL kids and three that played on the Fusion team that made the midwest regionals of presidents cup so more kids with higher level club experience than usual.  I am excited to see what they do this year.

 

46 minutes ago, rjal said:

I was wondering if the Indians would get some love in this thread.  After the bad loss to Beechwood last year they made some adjustments and while the record didn't reflect it, did much better the second half of the season.  Lots of close games to schools like Campbell Co Ryle, Cooper, Conner etc.  In addition to the players mentioned above we have the three junior Saalfeld cousins Addison, Bella, and Jenna who will be big contributors mostly in the midfield and sophomore defender Ella Lehmkuhl who was the only freshman starter last year.  In the goal senior Mia Wilson will share time with sophomore Suzette Kleiss who played mostly JV last year and had an injury but at approx 6 ft tall has a huge reach and is very athletic.  Stephanie decided to hang up her cleats this year.  We will have a more depth off the bench with the girls all having another year under their belts.  While the Indians don't have the rep of some of the schools they actually have three ECNL kids and three that played on the Fusion team that made the midwest regionals of presidents cup so more kids with higher level club experience than usual.  I am excited to see what they do this year.

 

One thing I meant to add is that I wish they would have upgraded the schedule.  No disrespect meant to any teams on the schedule, but 10-0 games don't help prepare for post season.  I understand that some years HC isn't as competitive and is on the wrong side of the 10-0 games, but this isn't one of those years.  

10. BISHOP BROSSART

9. RYLE

8. BEECHWOOD

7. CONNER

6. HOLY CROSS (COVINGTON)

5. COOPER

• This really came down to me liking tomorrow's #4 Ranked team getting their GK back and Cooper's GK last year graduating.  
• 2021 record: 14-5-1
• Key Players returning:  Maybe one of the best players in the 9th Region Maleah Alexander (Jr) and Peyton Jones (Sr).  These were the 2 Top scorers last year for the Jags.
• Key Players lost:  Goalkeeper Jada Walters
• Soccerama opponent:  Beechwood (Sat, Aug 6th at 3:30pm) 

10. BISHOP BROSSART

9. RYLE

8. BEECHWOOD

7. CONNER

6. HOLY CROSS (COVINGTON)

5. COOPER

4. CAMPBELL COUNTY

• Like I said when I wrote about Cooper a big reason why Campbell County is sitting #4 is because of the return of GK Morgan Rawe (Sr).  Another big reason is the Camels are loaded with Senior leaders, having 8 Seniors that had a goal and/or assist last year.
• 2021 record: 19-5-2, 10th Region Champs, lost 1st Rd to NDA
• Key Players returning:  Once again like M. Alexander the Camels have one of the best in NKY the Career Goal scoring record holder for Campbell County Ruby Dunlevy (also an EKU commit)....how many more will she pile on to her already large amount?  The Camels also return 2nd leading goal scorer and top assist player in Jozie Holmes (So).
• Key Players lost:  Jenna Gies
• Soccerama opponent:  Ryle (Fri, Aug 5th at 6pm) 

Added trivia:  4 of the 5 losses for the Camels were from the 9th Region foes (NDA x 2, HHS & Dixie), can they turn that fortune around this year?

10. BISHOP BROSSART

9. RYLE

8. BEECHWOOD

7. CONNER

6. HOLY CROSS (COVINGTON)

5. COOPER

4. CAMPBELL COUNTY

3. HIGHLANDS

• Not enough Senior stars on this team to overcome what's coming tomorrow and Friday in the Rankings.  With that being said I will saw this, remember my comment about Beechwood being loaded in the Sophomore class, well Highlands takes the prize being loaded in the Junior class! 
• 2021 record: 14-5-1, ended #2 in final 2021 ranking
• Key Players returning:  Laney Smith (JR) and Claire Cavacini (JR) and Anna Melson (SR)
• Key Players lost:  Faith Broering, Jade Rehberger, Megan Gessner-GK
• Soccerama opponent:  Dixie (Fri, Aug 5th at 8pm) 

Initially surprised by this, as I thought you would have them 2nd.  However, when you consider losing those 3 listed, I understand the concern of having to replace, not just the talent, but the core strength and toughness of last year's team.  Will be interested to see that top 3 matchup Friday, and how they look in the middle and on defense.

I am surprised at this as well, while they lost some great players the quality they bring back is strong. There is another jr that is a very good player maybe a step behind Claire and Laney but still very talented and a backline starter returning  that is either a so or jr that is also a solid player. Friday’s game will be very competitive or both teams will treat it as a preseason scrimmage and it wont give a “true” read on the two teams, should be interesting.

17 hours ago, Big Red said:

Initially surprised by this, as I thought you would have them 2nd.  However, when you consider losing those 3 listed, I understand the concern of having to replace, not just the talent, but the core strength and toughness of last year's team.  Will be interested to see that top 3 matchup Friday, and how they look in the middle and on defense.

 

15 hours ago, Legacy26 said:

I am surprised at this as well, while they lost some great players the quality they bring back is strong. There is another jr that is a very good player maybe a step behind Claire and Laney but still very talented and a backline starter returning  that is either a so or jr that is also a solid player. Friday’s game will be very competitive or both teams will treat it as a preseason scrimmage and it wont give a “true” read on the two teams, should be interesting.

Reasoning behind the #3 slot for HIghlands:

@Big Redhit the nail on the head in his commentary!

When I look at Highlands they have almost all the pieces to be a great team and potentially a 9th Region threat to be the one at the end.  My BIGGEST BIGGEST concern is our size/strength when we go up against very physical teams in the NKY (ie NDA & Dixie) and powerhouses like Sacred Heart and South Oldham which we play in the Regular season.  Our players are small.  So @Big Redwas spot on when he makes the comment about losing Faith, Jade, Macy up the middle as your core strength, those girls weren't pushed around, heck Faith did plenty of pushing herself.....which allowed Laney and Claire to be the speedsters of the team.  Whose going to step up and be the Alpha dog on this team that won't allow teams to push them around?  I am telling you right now teams will be salivating when they see the size of this team and will becoming right at us.

Now with that deficiency stated, what Highlands does have plenty of IMO is SKILL/TALENT and SPEED.  I will put Highlands up against anyone in NKY and the state when it comes to those attributes.  

So in closing.....SIZE was the #1 factor in why Highlands "starts" as #3 in my Preseason Ranking.  The first few games starting tomorrow night will be the part of the game I want to see how this team handles the physicality of the game.....do they get pushed around off the ball and crumble or will they stand tall and push back....if they push back and succeed, GAME ON!!!

@Legacy26- to answer your question you are probably referring to Lindsay Stein (JR) who played alongside Faith in the MidField last year, who is a very talented player as you stated.

10. BISHOP BROSSART

9. RYLE

8. BEECHWOOD

7. CONNER

6. HOLY CROSS (COVINGTON)

5. COOPER

4. CAMPBELL COUNTY

3. HIGHLANDS

2. DIXIE HIEGHTS

• Well here we are Dixie you are sitting shotgun next to the State Champs.  Is this a seat you will be able keep or will you be thrown in the back.  You never sat here last year.   
• 2021 record: 15-7-2 ended #3 in final 2021 ranking
• Key Players returning:  scoring machine Ashtyn Ivey (SR), assist machine Reese Smith (SR) and Sarah Legg - GK (SR)
• Key Players lost:  didn't lose much except for All Region player Grace Gerding
• Soccerama opponent:  Highlands (Fri, Aug 5th at 8pm) 

Footnote:  Highlands will see a familiar face over on Dixie's staff tomorrow night, none other than past HHS coach Alex Dean......

10. BISHOP BROSSART

9. RYLE

8. BEECHWOOD

7. CONNER

6. HOLY CROSS (COVINGTON)

5. COOPER

4. CAMPBELL COUNTY

3. HIGHLANDS

2. DIXIE HIEGHTS

1. NOTRE DAME

• Finally here, anyone surprised?  
• 2021 record: 28-0-1, #1 in Final Ranking, KY STATE CHAMPIONS!
• Key Players returning:  Returning is a deceiving word, Abby Unkraut isn't returning, she is finally coming out for her Panda Rookie Year as a Senior, she has been tearing it up on the Club circuit and now in her Senior year is going to enjoy her final HS year playing with her classmates.  Ellie Greenwell is the Top Returning player off the State Champion team where she scored 8 goals and had 15 assists (which were 2nd most on last years team).
• Key Players lost:  They WON STATE, all the Seniors were Key players lost, heck they had the US National Player of the Year Natalie Bain, for crying out loud.
• Soccerama opponent:  South Oldham (Sat, Aug 6th at 7:30pm) - rematch from the State Championship game

 

CLOSING REMARKS

Thought I would make some last remarks before the season gets started.  Hopefully everyone is pumped and ready for this fun ride for these girls for the next few months.  As I stated earlier in this thread we have some tremendously talented girls roaming the "Pitch" in NKY which is an awesome thing for all the young girls in our communities to look up too.  If you have young daughters that love soccer PLEASE find a game to have them go watch, there will be plenty of great soccer somewhere in Northern Ky for them to aspire to grow up and represent their future High School.  I absolutely love this sport, to me this is the equivalent to what boys have with Football.  

As far as who is going to win at the end of this season I really believe we could easily see a few different schools taking the torch and running with it.  The run that NDA had last year is something I know they would hope they could replicate but I got to be honest we might not see that type of extreme domination for a long long time.  Don't get me wrong NDA will be very very good but I think the right team on the right night might be able to put up a fight in the end and pull a win out.

Once again, I hope you enjoy this journey!!!  Now do a little rain dance and get these storms out of Northern Kentucky so we can go watch some soccer tonight and tomorrow at Beechwood.

Frank

 

As always, well done, Frank.  It would be a shame for the weather to impact the great schedule of matches that you reference. 

Obviously extreme domination like last year, in particular on defense, is tough to expect.  That said, you are correct, NDA is going to be very good.  This will be a reload with more talented players than just Unkraut added.  NDA's roster will include 2 offensive players (Sunny Richesson and Sadie Yapp) that transferred in from out of town.  From your "small" commentary regarding the Lady Birds, my guess is that they will not appreciate the physical match up with Sunny.  The Pandas also get GA and ECNL players Scarlet Cogwell and Kimmie Woeste back from ACL injuries.  It might sound overzealous, but don't expect a big drop off from last year in the midfield or offensive personnel.  In short, the Panda faithful do not expect to give up only 4 goals this season, but do feel good that the roster is still loaded with skill and talent.  

2 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:

CLOSING REMARKS

Thought I would make some last remarks before the season gets started.  Hopefully everyone is pumped and ready for this fun ride for these girls for the next few months.  As I stated earlier in this thread we have some tremendously talented girls roaming the "Pitch" in NKY which is an awesome thing for all the young girls in our communities to look up too.  If you have young daughters that love soccer PLEASE find a game to have them go watch, there will be plenty of great soccer somewhere in Northern Ky for them to aspire to grow up and represent their future High School.  I absolutely love this sport, to me this is the equivalent to what boys have with Football.  

As far as who is going to win at the end of this season I really believe we could easily see a few different schools taking the torch and running with it.  The run that NDA had last year is something I know they would hope they could replicate but I got to be honest we might not see that type of extreme domination for a long long time.  Don't get me wrong NDA will be very very good but I think the right team on the right night might be able to put up a fight in the end and pull a win out.

Once again, I hope you enjoy this journey!!!  Now do a little rain dance and get these storms out of Northern Kentucky so we can go watch some soccer tonight and tomorrow at Beechwood.

Frank

 

 

Well based on @Big Red comments:

On 8/4/2022 at 10:53 AM, FrankNicodemus said:

10. BISHOP BROSSART

9. RYLE

8. BEECHWOOD

7. CONNER

6. HOLY CROSS (COVINGTON)

5. COOPER

4. CAMPBELL COUNTY

3. HIGHLANDS

2. DIXIE HIEGHTS

• Well here we are Dixie you are sitting shotgun next to the State Champs.  Is this a seat you will be able keep or will you be thrown in the back.  You never sat here last year.   
• 2021 record: 15-7-2 ended #3 in final 2021 ranking
• Key Players returning:  scoring machine Ashtyn Ivey (SR), assist machine Reese Smith (SR) and Sarah Legg - GK (SR)
• Key Players lost:  didn't lose much except for All Region player Grace Gerding
• Soccerama opponent:  Highlands (Fri, Aug 5th at 8pm) 

Footnote:  Highlands will see a familiar face over on Dixie's staff tomorrow night, none other than past HHS coach Alex Dean......

Biggest question here is will Dean be able to convince Dixie's staff to change their style of play.  If he can, Dixie might finally get over the hump.  If not, then they will continue to struggle to compete with the top teams in the state.

2 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:

 

Well based on @Big Red comments:

You did have NDA #1, so it looks like your work is validated by Big Red.