Northridge and Goshen were the top two teams in the Northern Lakes Conference last year with the Raiders eventually prevailing for their third straight NLC title.
No one would be surprised if those two are once again this year at the top of the league standings.
“I feel the NLC will be tough again this year across the top,” said Northridge coach Chris Malott, whose squad finished 15-3-2 overall last year and 7-0 in the conference.
“We return a seasoned core from last year. Goshen and Warsaw also return some very talented players. Concord and NorthWood have some talent and I feel they may surprise some people. Plymouth has a new coach (Lindsey Stiles) and I think she will bring some good things to the program.”
No. 14-ranked (3A) Northridge will be led by Adelynn Miller (12 goals, seven assists), Anna Garber (three goals, one assist), Brylee Yoder (one goal, three assists) and Halle Moeller from last year’s Class 3A sectional championship squad. All four were all-conference selections last year. Yoder also made the honorable mention All-State team.
“We have a great group of returning varsity players who are very seasoned and have played in some very big games over the past couple of seasons,” Malott said.
The Raiders will have inexperience at goalie, as the Raiders lost to graduation Lily Vasil, who was an honorable mention All-State selection last year. Vasil finished with 69 saves, had 13 shutouts and allowed only eight goals a year ago. Junior Allie Garber is expected to start in goal this season for Northridge.
“We graduated a couple of key players from last year’s team, but we feel that there are several girls more than ready to step into those positions,” Malott said.
“We hope to be fighting for another NLC championship at the end of the season and be playing some good, organized soccer come sectional time.”
Goshen returns 12 letterwinners from last year’s team which finished 8-7-1 overall and 6-1 in the NLC.
“That’s a good thing,” said Goshen coach Myron Bontreger about returning 12 letterwinners. “We have an experienced defensive line, and we return all three of our main attacking players. The big question will be our central midfield where we lost Lourdes Baltazar and Nereida Arriaga.”
Both Arriaga and Baltazar were all-conference selections a year ago. Arriaga finished with six goals and 13 assists, while Baltazar recorded two goals.
Key players on this year’s squad are Jiana Camacho (12 goals, eight assists), Sydney McLaughlin (two goals, two assists), Tilly Schramm, Norah Osborne, Arianna Camilo, Destiny Sanchez (six goals, two assists), Kara Gwaltney, Lexy Ramirez, Mia Winship, Abby Snyder (goalie), Kaycee Martinez (eight goals, three assists) and Emberly Harrison.
McLaughlin and Sanchez were first team all-conference selections, while Martinez made honorable mention all-conference. Camacho was first team All-District.
“Young players will need to step up for us (in the central midfield),” Bontreger said. “We need that to happen to maintain the style of play we are accustomed to playing, which prioritizes keeping the ball.”
Bontreger mentioned several teams as contenders to fight it out for the top spots in the NLC.
“Northridge and Warsaw are always solid and I expect Concord to be dangerous as well,” the RedHawks coach said.
Concord finished fourth in the NLC last year with a 4-3 mark. The Minutemen were 10-7 overall.
Returning from that 2025 squad are Brynn Weirich (13 goals, two assists), Carol Hernandez, Alejandra Loza, Braycee Brosamer, Mia Gallegos (five goals, three assists), Cece Gomez Wengerd (three goals, one assist), Everlyn Hernandez, Darlin Jimenez Mejia, Sarai Rodriguez, Imonni Torres, Beyonce Carrillo Gonzalez (two goals, two assists) and Melina Serrano (goalie).
Weirich made the all-conference team last year, while Brosamer earned an honorable all-conference honor.
“Our goal is to remain highly competitive every time we step on to the field,” said Concord coach Jim Snyder.
“We’re facing a rigorous schedule. 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. We’ll need to play together as a team to get the job done.”
NorthWood is looking to take more positive steps as a program this upcoming season.
“Last year our record wasn’t a good one as the season was a rebuilding one for us,” said Panthers coach Tom Shields, whose squad finished 5-8-3 overall and 3-4 in the NLC.
Players back that gained valuable experience last year are Noa Weldy (three goals, two assists), Chloe Lynn (four goals, four assists), Elena Rodriguez (goalie), Aleia Ellison, Remi Rigsby and Evie Graverson.
“Those six ladies, along with Kinzee Hartman, who has returned from Florida, will be the core of the varsity squad,” Shields said.
“This season will be another rebuilding year for us, but I believe we will have a great season and be very competitive in the always strong NLC.”
Elkhart will be led by new head coach Grace Beck. Beck played college soccer at Bethel University and helped lead the program to two NCCAA National Championships. Beck also played soccer at the semi-professional level.
Beck is taking over a program that finished 8-9 overall and 2-4 in the Northern Indiana Conference.
“Our focus is on building a strong foundation and continuing to move the program forward,” said Beck.
“A talented and impactful senior class graduated, but we’re excited about the group returning and the talented freshman class joining the program.”
Beck is looking forward to watching Emberli Miller, Mya Doot (four goals) and Ximena Ramirez (two goals, assists) this upcoming year.
“Emberli is a confident leader who has earned the respect of her teammates and she’ll play an important role both on and off the field,” Beck said.
“Mya Doot brings valuable leadership, experience and relentless competitiveness, which will have a positive impact on our program.
“Ximena Ramirez is a young player, who has the talent and potential to help elevate our program for years to come.
“I’m excited to see how our returning players and newcomers come together, embrace the season and make an impact both on and off the field.”
Penn coach Jeff Hart, who last year led his team to the NIC title (6-0) and 19th straight sectional championship, is excited about the talent he gets to coach this season.
“We’re very young and extremely talented,” said Hart, whose team is ranked eighth in 3A. “I expect us to get better and more confident as the season progresses.”
Returning letterwinners are Emily Sachire (seven goals, seven assists), Carmen Gentry (five goals), Gwen Rebelloso, Alisa Noakes and Moira Nugent (goalie).
“Rebelloso will be one of the best center back in Northern Indiana,” Hart said. “Noakes played significant minutes late last year and scoring the winning goals in back-to-back postseason games against South Bend Adams (sectional championship) and against Northridge (regionals). Nugent started the last eight games for us last year as a freshman and gave up only three goals, including only one goal in the postseason (five games).”
Hart feels the NIC will be very competitive this year.
“South Bend Adams is extremely well coached and continues to add depth and get better,” Hart said. “St. Joseph will be a state title contender in Class 2A and Marian, which is the 2A defending state champion, moves to 3A and will be highly ranked.
The Kingsmen will host the local 3A sectional with Concord, Northridge, Goshen, Elkhart and Mishawaka.
Jimtown will be led by new head coach Geoff DiPiro, who for the past two years was the assistant head coach at the school.
On the field the team will also look much different, as the Jimmies have to replace standouts Emma Martin, Kylie Wiegand and Elliott DiPiro.
That trio totaled 184 goals and 101 assists at Jimtown and during their outstanding career. Last season, the Jimmies finished 10-6-1 overall and 3-3 in the Indiana Northern State Conference.
“Our team has been dominated by the trio we lost to graduation,” DiPiro said.
“Our entire back line and our goalkeeper are returning, but we need to find scoring.”
Two sets of twins will be leading the Jimmies, with those players being seniors Arianna Blanco and Aaliyah Blanco, along with juniors Abby Johnson and Emily Johnson.
Aaliyah has one goal and three assists over her career, while Arianna has one goal and eight assists. Aaliyah missed most of her sophomore year because of an injury and Arianna missed all of her junior year with an injury.
Abby has two goals and six assists over her career, while Emily is a goalie. She registered two shutouts last year.
“Our expectations are to play hard and get experience for a lot of players,” DiPiro said.
Elkhart Christian is No. 3 ranked in the preseason coaches poll.
Playing up to that ranking will be very challenging for the Eagles, who finished 17-1 overall and 4-0 in the Hoosier Plains Conference last year.
Eagles coach Greg Schenk is working with a roster hit hard by graduation and injuries.
“Along with the loss of our seniors, who led us to an undefeated regular season last year, we’ve had season-ending knee injuries to one of our top scorers last year, Kyla Yordy, and to an incoming freshman, Lila Clapsaddle, who was expected to have a big impact on the team. That has produced an unexpected start to the season for us.”
ECA will be leaning heavily on Saghan Schlabach (17 goals, 10 assists), Shiloh Grubert (14 goals, 14 assists) and Livia Jones, Karagan Tyran, Emma Bishop and Kaylin Bowman.
“We anticipate the team working hard together and we hope our seniors step up and lead the team,” Schenk said.
Bethany Christian is dealing with low numbers for the upcoming season.
“We’ll not have enough players to have an official IHSAA team,” said Bruins coach Jordan Miller. We’re excited to use this year to develop our players and grow for future competitions.”
Back from last year’s squad, which finished 3-11-1 overall and 0-3 in the HPC, are Riley Davidheizer, Lilly Lanctot and Hannah Claassen.
Bethany Christian lost to graduation two significant offensive threats in Kendra Kern (10 goals, two assists) and Ellie Morris (seven goals, four assists).