Girls soccer: Season preview

Rare is the coach who will openly admit that his or her team will be worse than the year before; going into the season, they’re all busting at the seams with optimism. That’s how it’s supposed to be.

Still, not too many soccer coaches would come in after graduating a pair of Division I college recruits and 60% of the previous year’s scoring and be as completely sure of improvement as Center Grove skipper Myron Vaughn is.

The Trojans’ second-year coach knows he needs to replace top goal scorers Emily Karr, Ali Wiesmann and Molly Tapak, as well as current University of Dayton defender Kayli Farmer. But with a year under his belt and a more established system in place, Vaughn feels even better about his current team than he did about the 2022 squad that went 17-3-2 and advanced to the Class 3A semistate before dropping a 1-0 decision to longtime nemesis Carmel.

“Last year we started from a standing position and trying to get ourselves going,” the coach said, “which we did a good job of, but I think this year — after the loss last year, the really tough loss to Carmel last year in the tournament, every one of these girls coming back literally could not wait to start again. That’s something that will benefit us this season.”

Vaughn’s confidence has carried over to his players, who cite improved chemistry and familiarity as two of the main reasons for the good vibes.

“The start of this year, we’re just a little more used to Myron, what he expects of us, just all of the high expectations that he has,” senior defender Kylie Smith said. “I think we’re really ready to come off of last year and how well we did and just really improve from that and keep getting better.”

Center Grove’s optimism isn’t unfounded. Nine starters return from last fall, including Daily Journal Player of the Year Taylor Wert (seven goals, 14 assists in 2022), a senior who is committed to play D-I soccer next year at Mercer. The Trojans also bring back top defenders Smith, Addie Crowe and Reese Harmon in front of goalkeeper Sophia Gorall — along with junior midfielder Brooklyn Brown, who Vaughn calls “the heartbeat of our team.”

“I would not be shy to say she’s got to be — if not the, one of the top central midfielders and defensive midfielders in the whole state,” Vaughn said of Brown. “That’s something that we expect to see out of her this season.”

Offensively, Wert should get some help from fellow seniors Jenna Margiotti and Ella DeWitt as well as newcomers Taylor Townley and Mia Marlin, a sophomore and a freshman who should be in the mix from the get-go.

“We’re definitely going to miss (Karr and Wiesmann),” Wert said, “but we still are very good at getting forward and creating chances, and if we just keep creating them, goals will come.”

“With the new players that came on our roster, they will fill those holes,” Margiotti added. “We have enough talented young girls that are coming in, let alone our seniors with the chemistry that we have.”

That one particular word — “chemistry” — was one that kept coming up during conversations with Vaughn and his players. The overriding feeling is that it wasn’t all the way there last fall, and that the increased “positivity” (another oft-repeated buzzword) will lead to even greater on-field success.

The fact that Vaughn was around so many of these Trojans when they were young girls cutting their teeth at South Central Soccer Academy certainly doesn’t hurt matters.

“The girls are more comfortable with each other,” Margiotti said. “The senior class, my class, they’ve been playing with each other since we’ve been 6, and I think that just shows on the field.”

Vaughn seems to be counting on that; he calls the team’s style of play this year “a little more connected,” and he has clearly set a very high bar inside the locker room.

Nobody has explicitly stated that it’s state championship or bust — but this is, after all, Center Grove. Settling for less isn’t really part of the DNA here.

“They all understand the expectations, and they’re ready to deal with it,” Vaughn said.

SCOUTING THE COUNTY

Center Grove Trojans

Coach: Myron Vaughn

Last season: 17-3-2, won sectional and regional championships; lost to Carmel in Class 3A semistate

Key returnees: Ella DeWitt, Sophia Gorall, Reese Harmon, Madi Kramer, Jenna Margiotti, Kylie Smith and Taylor Wert, seniors; Brooklyn Brown, Addie Crowe and Addy Wiesmann, juniors

Top newcomers: Taylor Townley, sophomore; Mia Marlin, freshman

Outlook: With nine starters back after a deep postseason run, Vaughn is brimming with optimism about a team that should be on the short list of state title contenders. The Trojans will have to replace their top two scorers, but veterans like DeWitt and Margiotti will be counted on to help fill the void. Wert — a Mercer commit and the reigning county player of the year — and Brown return in the middle of the field, the defense in front of Gorall is experienced and deep, and newcomers Townley and Marlin should be able to make immediate contributions. Winning it all is a realistic aspiration.

Franklin Grizzly Cubs

Coach: Garrett Belden

Last season: 2-16, lost to Columbus East in first round of Class 3A sectional

Key returnees: Lauren Beasley, Hannah Fox and Bailey Woodburn, seniors; Anna Brumley and Izzy Traut, juniors; Addie Mashino, sophomore

Top newcomer: Lily Harvey, freshman

Outlook: Belden, a former Franklin College goalkeeper, comes back to Johnson County after leading Shelbyville to a best-ever 13 wins last fall. He’ll have a rebuilding job on his hands with several younger players being thrust into bigger roles, but he’s optimistic that the Grizzly Cubs can surprise some teams in the short term while also laying a foundation for the long term. Traut was the team’s No. 2 scorer last season and should again be one of the focal points offensively.

Greenwood Woodmen

Coach: Dan Appelbaum

Last season: 10-4-2, lost to Franklin Central in Class 3A sectional opener

Key returnees: Mallory Mahin, Audrey Scaramazzo and Gabrielle Wegesin, seniors; Makena Cruse, Ava Griffin, Avah Wallischeck and Joelle Young, juniors; Ava Brawley, Atley Jacks and Lilly Rollings, sophomores

Top newcomers: Lizzy Metzger, freshman

Outlook: With four-time All-County standout Emily Metzger graduated and a couple of key injuries leaving at least temporary holes in the lineup, the Woodmen will be counting on some younger players to shoulder a greater workload. Helping matters will be the addition of Lizzy Metzger, who Appelbaum says isn’t as physical as her older sister but might be more technical. The start of the season could bring some potholes, but if Greenwood can get healthy in time for the stretch run, it could be a pretty tough out come sectional time.

Greenwood Christian Cougars

Coach: Suzie Cameron

Last season: 6-10, lost to Park Tudor in Class A sectional semifinal

Key returnees: Izzy Cameron, Emily Heldman and Sydney Waldron, seniors; Ana Blow, junior; Kiera Goins, Christina Munsell and Audrey Wall, sophomores

Top newcomer: Kylie Clark and Norah Herndon, freshmen

Outlook: The Cougars lost top scorer Alli Curlee and some other key pieces, but Izzy Cameron (25 assists) — who doubles as the kicker on the football team — returns as the table-setter and she has a strong group of veterans and a deep freshman class surrounding her. Suzie Cameron is hoping to see GCA on the high side of the .500 mark this season and contending for second in the conference behind defending state champion Park Tudor, which again looms as a daunting sectional roadblock.

Indian Creek Braves

Coach: Haylee Shoaff

Last season: 1-10, lost to Edgewood in Class 2A sectional semifinal

Key returnees: Chelsea Guernsey, senior; Bre Gault, junior

Top newcomers: Alaina Perry, junior; Inaya Komorek, freshman

Outlook: The Braves made notable strides over the course of their first season; after losing an 8-0 match to Edgewood during the regular season, they played the Mustangs much tougher in a 2-1 sectional loss. Shoaff is looking to continue building on that forward progress this fall as her team takes on a full varsity schedule. She’s seen plenty of hard work in the preseason and hopes to see that translate into further player development and winning outcomes.

Whiteland Warriors

Coach: Nick Magdalinos

Last season: 10-6, lost to Roncalli in first round of Class 3A sectional

Key returnees: Emma Gill and Aliya Perkins, seniors; Bethany Floyd and Alexa LaPorte, juniors; Madison Fleury, sophomore

Outlook: With Gill and LaPorte back leading the way, the Warriors aren’t in full rebuild mode, but there will be some uncertainty as several freshmen and sophomores get thrust into key roles. Magdalinos is excited about the quantity and quality of players in those two classes but cautions that the team will need some time to find an identity and the right blend of moving parts. Whiteland should be able to at least remain competitive within the Mid-State Conference.