Northwestern advanced to the state semifinals after capturing its sixth straight District 11 title and Colonial League crown last fall.

Northern Lehigh, Palmerton, Tamaqua and Lehighton also qualified for districts last season and will be looking to make a deep run this season.

JIM THORPE

Head coach - Chris Geiser

League - Colonial

Key losses - Olivia Rosenberger, Maddie Hill, Chloe Burkhart

Key returnees - Brinn Hardwood (Sr.), Ella Cook (Sr.)

Top newcomers - Aubrey Stametz, (Fr.), Amber Lange (Fr.), Izzy Roman (Fr.), Taylor Paul (Fr.)

Season outlook - The Olympians will be inexperienced in their efforts to equal or improve upon last year’s record. Coming into the program from the middle school are several talented young players that Coach Geiser believes will have outstanding four-year high school careers. The girls have been working hard on fundamentals and team play.

Quotable - “I expect a big improvement as a team and in return, a better record.” - Coach Geiser

LEHIGHTON

Head coach - Carl Wolter

League - Colonial

Key losses - Charli McHugh, Lily Caruso, Ciara Behrel

Key returnees - Emma Repsher (Sr.), Karissa Moyer (Sr.), Mylee Lutsko (Jr.), Sadie Monk (Jr.), Avery Bauder (Jr.), Leah Uyvari (Jr.), Morgan Meyers, (Jr.), Layla Muth-Meek (Jr.), Taylor Moyer (So.), Cassidy Litts (So.),

Top newcomers - Laina Zimmerman (Fr.), Emmalyn Watson (Fr.), Caeley Hincson (Fr.)

Season outlook - Despite a decline in roster numbers, the Tribe expects to qualify for the District 11 playoffs for the third year in a row and build upon last year’s 12-7 record. They are unified in their efforts, and treat each other with the respect a family would give to each of its members.

Quotable - “If we can steer clear of injuries, we are going to be a tough team to beat.” - Coach Wolter

MARIAN

Head coach - Robert Campomizzi

League - Schuylkill

Key losses - Mikayla Tom, Ashlee Zimmerman, Samantha Hibbler, Gracie Gallagher

Key Returnees - Caityln Kovatch (Sr.), Madison Malloy (Jr.). Kendall Van Putten Vink (Jr.), Peyton Stillman, (Sr.), Esme Petschour (So.), Lizzie Pikitus (Sr.), Teaghan Biros (Jr.), Adrianna Cabrera, (So.), Madison Kattner (Sr.), Brieanna Hernandez (So.), Canryn Shistel (So.)

Top newcomers - Autumn Green (Sr.), Emma Williams (Fr.), Anna Skoutelakis (Fr.), Brena Farley, (So.), Jarielys Nunez (Sr.)

Season outlook - The Fillies’ roster continues to grow since the soccer program’s inception in 2021. The team has been practicing during the offseason and working on being better this fall. The Fillies’ first goal is to be a more physical team and have a no-fear mentality. Their biggest goal is to win their first league game this year. They want to prove to the other teams that it will not be so easy playing them this year.

Quotable - “We will be a defensive team building from the back and spread the field in our attack scheme. As long as we stick together as a unit, I see us doing great things this year.” - Coach Campomizzi

NORTHERN LEHIGH

Head coach - Jason Reinhard

League - Colonial

Key losses - Victoria Hanna, Jayden Fischer

Key returnees - Katelynn Barthold, (Sr.), Mikayla Gordon (Sr.), Dekotah Barthold, (Sr.), Nicole Zarayko (Sr.), Katya Pesesko, (Sr.), Gabriella Hanna (Sr.)

Top newcomers - Mya Desousa, (Fr.), Yana Holva (Fr.) Stella Regan (Fr.)

Season outlook - Following a 13-6 record from last year, the Bulldogs bring veteran experience and competitive dedication into the fall schedule. Led by Katelynn Barthold, who scored 39 goals a year ago, there should be plenty of firepower to put the ball in the back of the net. On the defensive side, senior goalie Dekota Barthold will be difficult to score upon after registering 104 saves in the 2023 campaign.

Quotable - “If we can avoid injuries, which did us in the last two years, I believe we are a legitimate league and district contender.” - Coach Reinhard

NORTHWESTERN

Head coach - Jordan Smith (4th season)

League - Colonial

Key losses - Katie Brensinger, Cammie Fitch, Jayden Gillette, Abby Pomajevich

Key returnees - Brook Balliet (Sr.), Paige Bissell (Sr.), Syenna Flores (Sr.), Olivia Reinhart (Jr.), Sophia Schaffer (So.), Olivia Spatz (Sr.), Sydney Wright (Sr.), Kherington Yezik (So.)

Top newcomers - Addison Kahl (Fr.), Lexie Zentz (Fr.)

Season outlook - After a 17-1 regular season, the Tigers rolled into the postseason with a head of steam, capturing gold in both the Colonial League and District 11 playoffs. In states, Northwestern reached the semifinals for the first time in the program’s history before ending its run with a loss to Central Columbia. Team leader Cammie Fitch has moved on to play soccer at Lafayette, but there are plenty of experienced players for Coach Smith to rely on including senior Brook Balliet, who has shown a penchant during her career to come up big in the biggest of games. Olivia Spatz and Syenna Flores are in their third season together on the stingy Northwestern defense that has allowed just 36 goals in three seasons.

Quotable - “We open with a really tough schedule with Fleetwood, Central Columbia, and Blue Mountain, and it’s three games in four days. That’s going to show us how good we are and what we need to improve on, and then we’ll go from there and get better week to week. We have a difficult Colonial League, and a really difficult 2A class in districts, so we just have to battle and earn our way back to states.” - Coach Smith

PALMERTON

Head coach - Jonathan Perloni

League - Colonial

Key losses - Riley Gerhard, Hannah Barry, Cora Wentz, Emma Snyder, and Chase Montanari

Key returnees - Nataly Walters, (Sr.), Ella Baumgardt, (Sr.), Aubrey Frable, (So.), Courtney Connell (Jr.)

Top newcomer - Mia Buck (So.)

Season outlook - The Bombers are preparing to compete for the league playoffs and district qualification. They have a strong core of girls returning despite a large graduation of players. They have had a good summer with solid team commitment toward achieving their goals and improve upon last year’s 12-7 record.

Quotable - “We are making sure we are ready to go come the start of the season.” - Coach Perloni

PLEASANT VALLEY

Head coach - Tara Hyland

League - Eastern Pennsylvania Conference

Key losses - Makayla Berry, Riley Green, Katelyn Honadel, Hailey Klien, Mya Maningo, Emma Meyers, Aryn Stivala

Key returnees - Peyton Foder, (Jr.) Sadie Rizzo (Jr.) Sysali Banks, (Sr), Danielle Boland (Sr.), Morgan Ryals (Sr.), Briana Palmeri (Sr.)

Top newcomers - Marta Perry, (So.), Josie Fetterman (Jr.) Jordyn Fleming, (Fr.), Keegan Merklin, (Fr.), Payton Shillady, (Fr.)

Season outlook - The Bears are looking to rebuild after graduating seven starters. Hyland sees much promise and potential with her young players who are “determined” and working hard. She believes they can improve upon last year’s 7-11 record.

Quotable - “Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.” - Coach Hyland

TAMAQUA

Head coach - Clem McCarroll

League - Schuylkill

Key losses - Sarah Hope, Abby Leinbach

Key returnees - Kolbe Robbe (Sr), Andrea Betz (Sr), Siena Stellfox,(So), Sophia Stellfox (So),) Katelyn Fredericks (Jr), Kimberly Rudy (Sr), Addison Rummel, (Jr), Avery Dietrich (Sr).

Top newcomer - Sophia Fitlinger (So).

Season outlook - The Blue Raiders look to improve upon last season’s 11-9 record, but the task will be difficult as Pottsville and Blue Mountain are also members of Division 1 in the league. The goal, as always, is to qualify for the league and district playoffs, and Coach McCarroll believes he has a nice group of dynamic scorers who can help them achieve that goal.

Quotable - “There are no easy games. We will certainly be battle-tested by the time we get into the second half of our schedule.” - Coach McCarroll

WEATHERLY

Head coach - Paul Eckert

League - Schuylkill

Key losses - Juliette Bartel, Anastasia Bloom, Kaylee Gaydosik, Kendall Gerhart, Milana Greer, Bethany Houser, Roxana Gonzales, Erin Prete

Key returnees - Mackenzie McGill (Sr.), Molly Kislan (Sr.), Kiley Holman (Sr.)

Top newcomers - Kelsey Wiliams (Fr.), Emily Rynd (Fr.)

Season outlook - The Wreckers will have a small number of players on their roster, and very few substitutes will be available for each game. Coach Eckert said the girls are working hard, and he expects their best of efforts with every boot of the ball.

Quotable - “I have confidence that they will continue their hard work and want to improve during this upcoming season.” - Coach Eckhart

Capsules by Rich Strack and Chuck Hixson.