Each day, Schur watches his young squad improve and wants to be able to hit the fast forward button to when the product is finished.
“We have progressed well this preseason, but like all other coaches, I want to be further ahead,” Schur said.
Schur has reason to be a bit impatient. After claiming three straight Greater Miami Conference titles, the Comets dropped to third in the GMC in 2015, finishing 12-2-5 overall.
Also ended was a three-year run to the state final four when they were eliminated in the district tournament.
And with the loss of nine seniors, including All-American goalkeeper Toni Bizzarro, All-City pick Haley Moses and All-GMC selections Emma Thacker and Julianne Berry, Schur knows it won’t be easy to reclaim the thrown.
“The league is wide open,” Schur said. “Any one of seven or eight teams could win it this year.
“There is so much depth and talent across the board in the GMC. It will be interesting to see how things play out this year with new coaches at some powerful programs in the conference. Injuries and results in close matches could be the determining factors.”
While Mason lost a lot of talent, the cupboard is far from bare. University of Cincinnati commit Annie Metzger and Xavier commit Olivia Popovich anchor a strong junior class while sophomore Aliyah El-Naggar has already committed to Ohio State.
Seniors Hannah Kallach, Katie Suter and Brooke Radcliffe will anchor the defense and midfield while Kateland Sipe will try to build on Bizzarro’s legacy as the Comet keeper.
How all the pieces come together will tell the tale for Mason in 2016.
“I expect us to take a few weeks to come together,” Schur said. “We return a lot of players but are still very young at key positions. We could start as many as five sophomores. We are going to play hard and fast and hope to stay in matches with our effort and speed.”
Kings ready: New Kings coach Bobby Budde will be playing a lot of the season by ear, but he knows one thing about his squad.
They will be ready to go as they look to improve on a 4-9-3 campaign.
“My expectation for Kings is to continue to develop the high level of play introduced last year,” Budde said. “Victories will come with teamwork and a high work rate.”
Kings will have to replace Katie Busemeyer, Juliana Rizzo, Jordan Littles, and Maddie Vossen but does have a strong core returning in Jordan Rhodes, Avery Young, Kaitlyn Snow, Sarah Bruns and Hannah Dargo.
The returners will be aided by sophomore Carolyn Burns and freshman keeper Emma Meyer.
So far, Budde has been pleased with what he has seen throughout the preseason.
“I was pleased with the preseason efforts at the Mason Preseason Classic and the Beavercreek Soccerfest,” Budde said. “And I am pleased with the talent that worked hard on conditioning and strength training over the spring and summer. “
Lebanon competitive: New division, same goal for the Lebanon girls program.
The Warriors, coming off a 12-2-3 campaign, join the Greater Western Ohio Conference National West with Northmont, Miamisburg and Springboro, and coach Bruce Bingham knows it won’t be easy.
“With the GWOC restructure it will be interesting — Springboro will be strong as always,” Bingham said. “I expect that the level of play will be up this year with each week bringing a new challenge.”
Lebanon will have to make its run without last year’s core of Addison Smith, Maygan Boettcher, Isabel Shey, MikaylaClark and Hannah Bogaert.
However, Bingham’s cupboard is not bare.
First team GWOC keeper Ashley West is back along with returning all-conference selection Madison Lindsay. Maeve Maloney, Emi Carlo, Mandi Kinsey, Missy Emery and Roselyn Rotello also return.
Add in newcomers Jenna Barnes and Kiley Ryan and the Warriors have some depth.
“Jenna brings a maturity rarely found in freshmen,” Bingham said. “Kiley helps make our defense strong and quick.”
Bingham has been battling to get everyone on the same page with some players missing time due to obligations with their club teams or being gone on mission trips or other situations.
Still, Bingham expects the Warriors to be in the hunt for the division title and make a strong run through the tournament.
“I expect us to compete at a very high level,” Bingham said. “We need to stay healthy, though, to compete at that level.”
Panthers experienced: Coming off a 4-9-4 mark, Little Miami has one huge positive going for it.
Kim Korterba welcomes everyone back for another run through the Southwestern Ohio Conference.
“Our expectations are to win the SWOC this season and end the season with a winning record,” Koterba said “The drive and work ethic of these girls is great. They are determined to take this program to the next level.”
First team All-SWOC Alexis Hickey will be joined by second team pics Maddie Huffman, Damaris Grimes and Eva Kiper. Goalkeeper Peyton Pakozdi also returns for the Panthers.
In addition, Little Miami has added depth with freshmen standouts Gabbi Gordon, Lydia Vach and Alyssa Weisbrodt.
“The firls have put in the time over the summer to condition and improve fitness level,” Koterba said. “We have begun working on our philosophy and system of play and it is being received and executed well.”
Combine the work ethic, returning talent and freshmen standouts and Koterba believes the Panthers have a shot at running to the top of the SWOC.
“I think SWOC will be wide open this season,” Koterba said. “The gaps between teams are becoming more even-leveled so I think the competition for first place will be a tight race.”
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