History was made for the Edgewood Girls Soccer team last fall.
The Warriors captured the program’s first sectional championship, finished 9-6-1 overall and 4-2 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division, and gave the program a postseason milestone that fifth-year head coach Kaytee Shimek hopes is only the beginning.
Now comes the challenge of proving the breakthrough was no fluke as Edgewood returns seven starters and much of the offensive firepower from last year’s historic run.
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Momentum From a Historic Season
Winning the first sectional championship in school history has changed the expectations around the program.
“I see my team finding great success this season,” Shimek said. “We are going off of a historical season with winning our first sectional final in school history. We are hoping to continue that momentum.”
Replacing the defensive backbone of last year’s team won’t be easy.
“Due to graduations, we have holes in the defensive side of the ball with needing to replace three starting defenders and our goalie,” Shimek said.
Fortunately for the Warriors, they return a balanced group of playmakers capable of putting pressure on opponents while new faces develop on the back line.
Firepower Returns Up Front
Edgewood’s attack begins with senior Chloe Hall, one of the area’s most dangerous scoring threats.
Hall finished with six goals and one assist last season while earning the team’s Golden Boot Award and Honorable Mention All-Ashtabula County recognition. Her combination of speed and finishing ability gives the Warriors an offensive weapon capable of changing a match in an instant.
“Chloe has been a consistent player in the past couple years,” Shimek said. “She has the speed and scoring ability to put our team in a great position.”
Senior Delilah DeGeorge also provides experience after scoring four goals last season.
“Delilah is a consistent player on our team who has found great success,” Shimek said. “She is constantly learning and growing.”
Junior Macey Faulkerson may be one of the Warriors’ most complete players. After posting five goals and four assists, she earned Most Improved Player honors, First Team All-Ashtabula County recognition and Honorable Mention All-CVC accolades.
Shimek believes her impact stretches well beyond the stat sheet.
“Macey has great soccer knowledge and willingness to do what it takes for the team to be successful,” she said. “She uplifts her teammates and plays a crucial role on our team.”
The Midfield Sets the Tone
If the Warriors are going to make another postseason run, much of that success will flow through an experienced midfield that combines leadership, vision and production.
Senior Carly Kray enters the season as the heartbeat of the team after recording two goals and seven assists while earning Team MVP honors, First Team All-Ashtabula County and Second Team All-CVC recognition.
Although she’ll be playing a different role because of injury, her influence hasn’t changed.
“Carly is the heart and leader of our team,” Shimek said. “She has to step into a different role this season due to injury, but that has not taken away from the true leader that she is. She is a constant and will do anything in her power to see our team succeed.”
Sophomore Olivia Billington already plays with the poise of a veteran. After scoring six goals with one assist, she earned the Golden Boot Award and Second Team All-CVC honors while establishing herself as the team’s centerpiece in the middle of the field.
“Olivia is a true leader,” Shimek said. “She has great soccer knowledge and skill, and she is entering more of a leadership role this season and has handled everything with grace. She is our center midfielder and takes great pride in the importance of that role.”
Junior Serenity Sears gives the Warriors another dependable option after scoring two goals a year ago.
“Serenity is an overall talented soccer player,” Shimek said. “She is always at the right place at the right time. She is a true team player who does what is needed to see our team succeed.”
Sophomore Dianne Ianni is expected to take another step after contributing an assist during her freshman season.
“Dianne is an important member of our team,” Shimek said. “She is entering her sophomore year as a person who will make a difference on the field. She can play both sides of the ball and is very talented off the ball.”
A New-Look Defense
The biggest question entering the season is replacing the experience that graduated from the defensive end.
Junior Sydney Miller becomes the lone returning starter on the back line and will be asked to guide several new faces into expanded roles.
Shimek has complete confidence in her defender.
“Sydney is our one returning defender and will have a lot of responsibility this year,” she said. “She is the type of player that will take any challenge and run with it. Our defense is in good hands with her as the leader.”
Leadership across the field will be essential as the Warriors reshape their defense.
“We plan to maximize our strengths while minimizing weaknesses by having consistent leadership on both sides of the ball,” Shimek said. “We hope that our new leaders follow in previous years’ footsteps.”
Playing for Each Other
While Edgewood has the talent to compete for another successful season, Shimek believes the difference between a good team and a great one comes down to trust and togetherness.
“To be successful this season, our team just needs to work together and play with heart,” she said. “We have a lot of talent; we just need to believe in each other and play together.”
The Warriors have also battled adversity before the season even begins.
“Our team is constantly growing and changing,” Shimek said. “We have had to replace four very important seniors and a couple more starters due to unfortunate injuries. If our healthy players step up and continue to play as a team, our team should find great success.”
Last season proved Edgewood could make history. This fall, the Warriors hope to prove that history was only the foundation for something even bigger.
