By Lucas Sullivan for the Springfield News-Sun

In Mark Derr’s first season at Catholic Central last year, he had the fortune of coaching one of the greatest female soccer players to play for the Irish in Amy Miller.

In his second season, Derr recognizes that he is coaching in Miller’s shadow, but he hopes the Irish can move on -— quickly.

“It’s tough to lose a player like that,” Derr said. “But we have to move on. I think we can do it this season.”

In order to do that, the Irish will have to find players to make up for the 41 goals Miller scored last season.

“My best experience is back on defense,” Derr said. “It is obvious we have to find people to score goals.”

Four of the Irish’s five seniors play on the offensive side of the ball.

Emily Derr, Maggie Samuelson, Jessica Grimone and Emily Haggerman will be a part of the attack. Juniors Laura Valentine and Evan Ullery will also help out, but look out for Northwestern transfer Sarah Halula to provide some offensive punch.

Dan Ludwick and his Greeneview squad will give the Irish a tough battle for the Ohio Heritage Conference title. The defending OHC champs lost just two seniors from a team that won 14 games.

“I expect us to repeat this year,” Ludwick said. “Catholic Central will definitely give us a workout, though.”

West Liberty-Salem could surprise some OHC foes, too. The Tigers return nine players from last year’s team, and coach Jimmy Huffman thinks his new crop of players will contribute as well.

Seniors Krista Hostetler and Tasha Konkle will be valuable leaders for the Tigers. Hostetler will provide stability on defense, while Konkle will be a leader at midfield.

And don’t forget about Southeastern.

The Trojans are poised to make some noise this season with senior Alison Lemon wanting to do some damage in the OHC. Lemon should prove to be one of the best offensive players in the OHC, and coach Amber Myers knows it.

“We’re going to be solid this year,” she said. “I am really looking forward to this season.”

It’s no shock that Ron Griest has his Northwestern Warriors at the top of the Central Buckeye Conference once again. Griest hopes his team will be as good as last year’s 18-3 team that reached the regional finals for the second straight season.

Jenna Cooper returns as one of the area’s most prolific scorers in the area after scoring 21 goals, along with 11 assists last season. Senior Jamie Rhodes will also be around to help, hoping to improve on her 12-goal performance last season.

“Scoring has been a problem this summer, but we’re starting to show signs of life on offense,” Griest said. “Jenna Cooper carried us through the tournament last season and could be one of best offensive players in the area.”

It’s the defense that has Griest the most excited, though.

“That will be our strength,” Griest said. “All our starters are back from last year after allowing just eight goals last season.”

Junior Heather Harshbarger will be anchoring the Warriors’ defense, along with junior Amy Kistler and senior Kaitlyn Sherrock. If there is one weak spot for Northwestern, it will be at midfield after losing four starters from last season.

Ron’s daughter Abby Griest will try to help fill the void, along with sophomore Alescia Harner and junior Kristin Jones.

Tecumeh coach Jim Paxton is hoping his Arrows can give the Warriors a battle in the CBC. Tecumseh’s eight losses last season came via eight state-ranked teams, and Paxton is hoping the experience will pay off.

“We didn’t play any patsies, I know that,” said Paxton in his 13th season as coach. “That should give us some big-game experience .”

Paxton didn’t say it, but the Arrows’ success will largely rest on the shoulders of goalkeeper Jessie Haas. If the Arrows keep matching up against tough schools, like they do their first game against Wayne, Haas will need to keep a cool head between the posts.

Keeping a cool head may also be Greenon coach Ray Raines’ mantra this season. Raines replaces 16-year-coach John Teter who retired after the Knights’ finished 14-5-2, losing in the district finals.

“We lost 10 or 12, but we have some freshmen coming in that will turn some heads,” Raines said. “It’s going to be a high-risk, high-reward season, I think.”

The gamble will largely hinge on the Knights’ success on defense and freshman goalkeeper Emma McCoy.

“I know these are freshmen,” Raines said. “But they have a lot of experience because they have been playing soccer for awhile.”

If there is another team that can turn some heads it could be Graham. The Falcons have their leading scorer Jill Muffey back for her senior season after leading the team with seven goals last year.

“I expect us to be in the top three,” coach Andy Cottrell said. “Northwestern will be up there, along with Tipp City and Greenon.”

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