Regional Girls Soccer: four Wayne/Holmes teams vie for state berths
A preview of the area's girls soccer regional games:
Div. II Region 7
West Holmes (17-3) vs John Glenn (15-4-1)
WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Stewart Field, 245 S. Water St, Coshocton, Ohio 43812
WHAT TO WATCH: These two teams met earlier in the season with the Knights winning 4-1 and this familiarity should make this second encounter that much more fun to watch. West Holmes is led by their 1-2-3 of Allie McMillen, Charli Murphy and Avery Arnold, and a strong defense anchored by Natalie Rohr and Kali Woods, which should enable them to control the pace of play. The Knights like to transition quickly, get numbers behind the ball and apply quick intense pressure, which often times gets big-time results.
The Little Muskies are led by Riley Zamensky, Becca Spohn and Estelle Matheney, Zamensky leads the team with 30 goals and 12 assists, Spohn has 14 goals and four assists, and Matheney has scored five times and dished 10 assists.
Div. III Region 9
Norwayne (11-6) vs Champion (20-0)
WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Boardman High School Stadium & Fields, 777 Glenwood Ave, Youngstown, Ohio 44152
WHAT TO WATCH: The biggest key in this game will be who takes control early as the Bobcats have some blemishes but have played in plenty of big-game moments. They have played four games against opponents that are in regional play, and four other games against teams that advanced to district finals.
Norwayne will be anchored defensively by Macey Belmont and Molly Gasser, who will set the pace for the defensive unit. From the midfield to the forward third, star scorer Shelby Vaughn is the center piece of the attack, but has plenty support with Maci Kimberlin, Maria Rickett and Kaylee Graham.
The Golden Flashes have plenty of punch as Taylor Kuhn has hit the back of the net 45 times and dished 27 assists, Grayson Knoske has 33 goals and 19 assists and Maylee Nadaud has totaled 26 goals and has 22 assists.
Div. III Region 9
Hiland (12-9-1) vs Manchester (17-0)
WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Ravenna Stadium, 6589 N. Chestnut St, Ravenna, Ohio 44266
WHAT TO WATCH: The Hawks have a balanced attack led by Chanelle Kellogg with 13 goals and nine assists, and Emily Gingerich with seven goals and three assists. Kailyn Miller has added four scores and 10 assists and Mallory Stutzman has buried four goals for Hiland.
The ability to control the pace of play will be essential if the Hawks are to limit Manchester's looks and opportunities, a team it lost to earlier in the season 4-0. Their ability to slow the game down, clog the middle and give their opponents no good looks will be essential.
The Panthers are led by standouts Katie Norris (Walsh commit) and Lauren Gunsett. Norris tallied the golden sombrero against Northwestern with Gunsett, Emily Allman, Rowan Olechnowicz and Ella Craddock all scoring once each. Norris scored five goals and Allman three in the district semifinals for Manchester.
Div. III Region 10
Waynedale (13-5-1) vs Eastwood (15-3-1)
WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Strobel Field at Cedar Point Stadium, 2130 Hayes Ave, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
WHAT TO WATCH: The Golden Bears continue to shine and reflect the leadership of its seniors and core players. Led by McKenna Baney, Skye Morris and Nayeli Cruz, this team is ready to continue making history. Already the first team in program history to get this far, the Bears have what it takes to keep going. Morris is electric in the forward third, Cruz controls the pace of play through the spine and Baney,provides the fire in the back from her goalkeeper's post.
The Eagles are led by a group of eight seniors, with Delanie Zura delivering a hat trick to lift them into the district finals and also saw Grace Abbey and Saylor King both tallied goals.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Girls Soccer: previewing the Wayne/Holmes area regional games
