Sports

HOWARDS GROVE – Optimism is running high in the Howards Grove girls soccer camp this year, and with good reason.

The Tigers are coming off an outstanding 2009 season that saw them come within one win of reaching state in only the fourth year of the program’s varsity existence. Howards finished 16-8-2 overall and third in the Central Lakeshore Conference at 9-5.

New head coach Eric Worth, a former soccer standout at Sheboygan North, is excited about his squad that won its first regional title and advanced to the sectional finals a year ago.

“I believe we will have a very successful season. We’re two weeks into practice and the girls have been working extremely hard,” said Worth, a physical education and health teacher at Howards Grove High School.

“They have responded very well to my coaching and I think we have a great nucleus of girls.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to coach at Howards Grove. I’m definitely spending a lot of time with practice and preparing for practice.

“I want to build on the recent success of the program,” he said.

Worth, who replaced Brett Helmer, is a 2002 North graduate. He earned All-Fox River Valley Conference first-team honors at sweeper in his senior season of 2001. Worth was a four-year varsity defender at UW-La Crosse from 2005-08.

His previous coaching experience – all at North – includes: junior varsity boys coach and varsity assistant in 2002-03; JV girls and varsity assistant in 2003; and the varsity boys assistant last fall.

The Tigers return a wealth of talent, headed by 2009 All-CLC first-teamers in senior forward Natalie Jaeger and senior defender Taylor Jahnke. Jaeger, who was also a first-team pick in 2008, led Howards in goals and assists for the overall ’09 campaign with 13 and seven, respectively.

Howards’ other all-league players back are senior defender Hanna Meidl and senior midfielder Abbey Thiel, both second team, and senior goalkeeper Ali Benning, honorable mention.

Benning was an All-CLC first-team goalie as a freshman and sophomore but played only seven matches last season due to an injury. Despite limited action, Benning still recorded five shutouts and 37 saves.

“I think there are a number of girls that will help step up and lead the squad,” Worth said.

“When I asked the girls this question [who will lead the team?], they told me Taylor Jahnke, Natalie Jaeger and Hanna Meidl. These three are all seniors and are definitely going to be major contributors but there are a number of youngsters who will be able to contribute in major ways as well.”

Varsity newcomers who have impressed Worth are senior midfielder Kasey Latham, freshman defender Megan Plahmer and freshman goalie Brittany Wehrmann. Latham was on the varsity for two years but missed last season due to an injury.

The coach pointed out the team’s other strengths.

“I believe we have a number of girls who will be able to step up and put the ball in the net,” he said.

“Our defense looks like it should be pretty solid and I'm looking forward to seeing how the girls work with one another out on the field.

“We only have two weeks of practice under our belts and half of our team was gone during our spring break, so I’m curious to see how we start off the season.”

The Tigers kick off their season Thursday, April 8 at home versus Manitowoc Lincoln at the Howards Grove Middle School field at 4:30 p.m. Howards will play some of their home matches at Lakeland College.

“Winning our first conference title is No. 1 on our list,” Worth said, referring to the team’s top goals.

“The girls are very focused and I hope with hard work and great play we can bring back our first conference championship. Ultimately, we would like to make a run deep into the playoffs and see what kind of damage we can do.”

The Tigers knocked off CLC champion Oostburg in the Division 3 sectional semifinals, 3-1, before falling to Winnebago Lutheran in the finals, 3-1, in a battle for a state berth.

Howards upset defending Division 3 state runner-up New Holstein, 1-0, in a regional final.

Worth pointed out the main keys to his team enjoying a successful season:

“Get better each day we step on the field. It’s not all going to come at once but if we build on our skills and hard work, we can ultimately reach our No. 1 goal.

“I know these girls are ready to work and make the most out of each opportunity they have. We need to take one day at a time and one game at a time. I'm constantly telling them to focus on the task at hand.”

Worth didn’t want to size up the conference race yet because he isn’t familiar with all of the competition.

HOWARDS GROVE GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER SCHEDULE

April 8 – Manitowoc, here
April 9 – @ Oshkosh Lourdes
April 12 – Cedar Grove, here
April 15 – @ Random Lake
April 20 – Sheb. Luth., @ Lakeland
April 22 – Sheb. Christian, @ Lakeland
April 26 – @ Elkhart Lake.
April 29 – @ Ozaukee
May 4 – @ Oostburg
May 6 – @ Cedar Grove
May 8 – @ Menasha Invite
May 10 – Random Lake, here
May 13 – at Sheboygan Lutheran
May 15 – @ Kiel Invitational
May 18 – @ Sheboygan Christian
May 20 – Elkhart Lake, @ Lakeland
May 25 – Ozaukee, @ Lakeland
May 27 – Oostburg, @ Lakeland
June 3 – Regional, TBA

HOWARDS GROVE VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER ROSTER

Seniors – Natalie Jaeger (forward), Taylor Jahnke (defender), Hanna Meidl (def.), Kasey Latham (midfielder), Abbey Thiel (mid.), and Ali Benning (goalkeeper).

Juniors – Rachel Rooker (def.), Shaina Kretchmer (mid.) and Brooke Schaller (for.).

Sophomores – Karyssa Gallenberger (mid.), Brianna Morgen (for.), Kelly Weiland (def.), Autumn Kaat (mid.), Carmen Conrad (mid.), Miranda Jost (mid.), Karlie Fermanich (def.), Amanda Hake (def.) and Courtney Wescher (goal.).

Freshmen – Megan Plahmer (def.), Maren Hoewisch (def.), Jessica Larson (for.), Valeria Brito (def.), Payton Bramstedt (mid.), Mikayla Jost (mid.) and Brittany ______ _W_e_h_rm__a_n_n _(g_o_a_l._).________