Girls Soccer: With eye on postseason, teams beef up regular-season schedules

Local girls soccer programs saw plenty of success a season ago from programs like Northridge, Westview and Goshen. With those squads eyeing even better seasons and the rest of the teams vying for improvement, everyone is ready to get the 2026 season underway. Northridge went 15-3-2 with a 7-0 mark in the Northern Lakes Conference to bring home the 2025 conference crown. The Raiders won their second girls soccer sectional championship in three seasons then fell in the regional semifinals. Ten varsity contributors are back for eighth year head coach Chris Mallott to help reach greater heights in 2026. The returners include senior Adelyn Miller (12 goals and seven assists), junior Maya Nelson (six goals and two assists), junior Edelyn Munoz (six goals and four assists) and senior Lynzee Munoz (five goals and four assists). “We return a very seasoned group,” Mallot said. “Eight have been starters the past two to three years. “We play the top teams in the (Northern Indiana Conference) — Penn, St. Joe and Marian — and then we west to play Crown Point and Chesterton. We try to keep the schedule tough enough so that when the postseason comes, we're ready for those tight games.” Goshen struggled to start last season, losing five of its first six games before getting hot and losing just one more regular season game. The RedHawks ended with an 8-7-1 (6-1 NLC) record and fell to Northridge 1-0 in their first sectional game. Goshen has an opportunity to build on its impressive 2025 season with 12 letterwinners back in red. Seniors Jiana Camacho (who produced 12 goals and eight assists and was all-district first team in 2025) and Sydney McLaughlin (all-Northern Lakes Conference), junior Destiny Sanchez (six goals, two assists and all-NLC) and sophomore Kaycee Martinez (honorable mention all-NLC) are among the returners. “Returning 12 letterwinners is a good thing,” said 19th-year RedHawks head coach Myron Bontreger. “We have an experienced defensive line, and we return all three of our main attacking players. “The big question mark will be our central midfield where we lost (captain and all-NLC selection) Lourdes (Baltazar) and (all-NLC pick and team assist leader with 13) Nereida (Arriaga). Young players will need to step up in that area of the field for us to maintain the style of play we are accustomed to, which prioritizes keeping the ball." Concord (10-7 in 2025) has 11 varsity returners including junior Brynn Weirich who led the Minutemen with 13 goals and added two assists. “Facing a rigorous schedule, our goal is to remain highly competitive every time we step onto the pitch,” said fourth-year Minutemen head coach Jim Snyder. “The NLC is one of the toughest conferences in the area, and every single match is going to be a battle. “Wins won't come easy so we will need to play together as a team to get the job done. Every contribution on this team is vital.” Westview had an outstanding 2025 season, going 15-3-1 and was Northeast Corner Conference regular season and tournament champions. It finished runner-up in the 1A Bethany Christian Sectional. The Warriors have high expectations for 2026, being named No. 1 in the 1A Indiana Soccer Coaches Association preseason poll. They bring back 15 starters, including seniors Olivia Bontrager (24 goals and 16 assists) and Marilyn Yoder (20 goals and five assists). “We graduated four starters — all of them pretty much up the middle with striker, two center backs and our goalie,” said second-year Warriors head coach Drew Ryall. They were very impactful players. “The returners and freshmen (Westview has not lost a junior high match in two years) are very talented and very competitive.” NorthWood (5-8-3) lost to eventual sectional champion Culver Academies in the semifinals of 2A Plymouth Sectional. Senior Chloe Lynn (four goals and four assists) is the top returning scorer. “We’re going to be a young team overall with like four seniors in the starting lineup,” said eighth-year Panthers head coach Tom Shields. “Expectations are still going to be high, but realistic. Wawasee went 0-16-1 last season, but is looking at more experience for improvement. “We have eight seniors, so this is going to be their last chance to make an impact,” said second-year Warriors head coach Stephanie Hawley. “I definitely look for strong leadership from Karlee (Clevenger) and Kenadi (Pierce). Liliana (Garcia) is back after her first year as a goalkeeper and has made phenomenal growth. “I definitely see a lot of impact from Jaclyn Trowbridge, Londen Dilley and Norah Grossnickle and from freshman Lexi Mahns and Dasha Saletto.” Concord, Goshen and Northridge go to the 3A Penn Sectional. NorthWood hosts a 2A sectional. Wawasee is in the 2A DeKalb Sectional. Westview hosts a 1A sectional. Bethany Christian does not have enough girls for a team in 2026, but the Bruins hope to be back on the pitch in 2027. GIRLS SOCCER CONCORD MINUTEMEN 2026 record: 10-7 (4-3 NLC). Head coach: Jim Snyder (4th season). Assistant coaches: Trenton Snyder, Jon Irvin, Mike McComish. Varsity returners: Seniors: Carol Hernandez, Alejandra Loza. Juniors: Braycee Brosamer, Mia Gallegos, Cece Gomez Wengerd, Darlin Jimenez Mejia, Sarai Rodriguez, Imonni Torres. Sophomores: Beyonce Carrillo Gonzalez, Melina Serrano, Brynn Weirich. Rest of team: Junior: Ana Moratino. Sophomore: Madeline Jimenez. Freshmen: Emma Anglemyer, Alia Harber, Kennedy Short, Priya Snider. GOSHEN REDHAWKS 2026 record: 8-7-1 (6-1 NLC). Head coach: Myron Bontreger (19th season). Assistant coaches: Yaneth Springer, Madison Rittenhouse, Bryana Palomino. Varsity returners: Seniors: Jiana Camacho, Arianna Camilo, Sydney McLaughlin, Norah Osborne, Tilly Schramm. Juniors: Kara Gwaltney, Lexy Ramirez, Destiny Sanchez, Abby Snyder, Mia Winship. Sophomores: Emberly Harrison, Kaycee Martinez. Rest of team: Freshmen: Gizelle Fraga, Valeria Montes. NORTHRIDGE RAIDERS 2026 record: 15-3-2 (7-0 NLC). Head coach: Chris Mallott (8th season). Assistant coaches: Tricia King, Ryan Yoder, Keith Wertman. Varsity returners: Seniors: Indy Gress, Taylor Heflin, Adelynn Miller, Hallie Moeller, Lynzee Munoz, Brylee Yoder. Juniors: Allie Garber, Anna Garber, Edelyn Munoz, Maya Nelson. Rest of team: Seniors: Averi Amstutz, Anaiya Cripe, Claire Havens. Sophomores: Kennedy Lester, Kinslee Miller, Katie Troyer, Kenly Yoder. Freshmen: Greenlee Munoz, Louisa Saleh. NORTHWOOD PANTHERS 2026 record: 5-8-3 (3-4 NLC). Head coach: Tom Shields (8th season). Assistant coaches: Zach Alexander, Brittani Wilson. Varsity returners: Seniors: Chloe Lynn, Elena Rodriguez. Junior: Evie Graverson. Rest of team: Seniors: Marisol Garcia, Kinzee Hartman, Jade Helmuth. Juniors: Aleia Ellison, Jalayne Hurst, Karla Juarez, Remi Rigsby, Noa Weldy. Sophomores: Kenna Davis, Lola Hahn. Freshmen: Moana Clem, Brinley Hill, Rhilynn Plaster. WAWASEE WARRIORS 2026 record: 0-16-1 (0-7 NLC). Head coach: Stephanie Hawley (2nd season). Assistant coaches: Carlos Camargo, Lindsey Grossnickle, Deserae Vetor. Varsity returners: Seniors: Nayli Batista, Karlee Clevenger, Hannah Hughes, Makenna Makunenge, Kenadi Pierce, Kinley Shadd, Evelyn Tinkey. Juniors: Lezlie Daffron, Liliana Garcia, Guadalupe Jimenez Rodriguez, Jaycee Moore. Sophomores: Sophia Coday, Londen Dilley, Norah Grossnickle, Mallory Szynal, Jaclyn Trowbridge, McKenzie Vanlue. Rest of team: Senior: Tiondra Kelly. Junior: Elizabeth Iden. Freshmen: Dasha Anacleto, Lexi Mahns. WESTVIEW WARRIORS 2026 record: 15-3-1 (5-0 NECC). Head coach: Drew Ryall (2nd season). Assistant coaches: Chad Bender, Josh Weimer, Nicole Streby. Varsity returners: Seniors: Olivia Bontrager, Amanda Hershberger, Angela Miller, Peyton Miller, Marilyn Yoder. Juniors: MaKenna Bender, Laine Bortner, Mila Geyer, Morgan Grossman, Mari Jo Mast, Josie Ryall. Sophomores: Bryndle Bontrager, Keera Hostetler, Hanannah Jasso, Tori Taylor. Rest of team: Junior: Janae Yoder. Sophomore: Breanna Garrett. Freshmen: Trinity Antal, Chandler Engle, Avery Myers, Kierra Roose, Hadley Yoder.