Another season begins for women’s soccer, will this be the year they win it all?
By Blake Metiva
One national championship, five-time national runner-up, seven straight NJCAA Region XII championships, and ranked in the NJCAA top 10 for 2,800 days. The women’s soccer team is certainly a powerhouse, but another title would certainly crown them a dynasty.
After an undefeated regular season and a shocking loss in the national title game, head coach Damon Amey returns nine players from last season’s runner-up team. The nine competitors are responsible for 47% of Delta’s 135 goals and 45% of the team’s assists. Most notably are the attacking duo of Peyton Pratt and Kaylee Shattuck, who combined for 32 goals and 27 assists.
The coach also brings back a core leadership group, featuring a captain’s trio of forward Grace Sczepanski, midfielder Kendall Jackson, and midfielder Reagan King. Beyond the captains, the women return defender Aidda Freeman, midfielder Mady Kler, forward Catherine Mueller, forward Mikalah Lewis, and midfielder Anna Sabo.
With a few games into the season, some new faces have emerged: forward/midfielder Alaina Schalk scored four goals against Lake Michigan College, forward/midfielder Molly Siler has contributed two goals and an assist, midfielder/forward Alexa Verhelst brought a goal and two assists, and goalkeeper Mia Warner has netted two shutouts and was named the Michigan Community College Athletic Association player of the week for Aug. 18-25.
The women entered the season ranked No. 2 in the nation, only behind their foe in last season’s national title game, the College of Dallas-Brookhaven Bears.
I try not to make predictions, but this one seems rather safe: The women will win the regional title and make a deep run in the NJCAA tournament. The women control their own destiny, and if they seize the title, the squad and dynasty will be remembered forever.
