West Geauga is off to a rocky start this season after graduating several generational players from last season.
The Wolverines, who finished 11-4-4 overall and 3-0-1 in Chagrin Valley Conference play last fall, return just three starters and two other letter winners from last season. West Geauga is off to an 0-4 start, but brighter days are ahead for the Wolverines.
“Our team’s potential stems from each girl on our roster,” said first-year head coach Cassidy Lewis. “The 2023 varsity roster consists of many new faces for West Geauga. These new faces bring lots of potential to this program after graduating eight starters. We welcome and are excited about the young talent and a fresh team for this season.”
West Geauga’s returning starters include Adison Cook, Savannah Swaye, and Kailey Wulfert. Kendalyn Simpkins and Gracie Worthing are returning letter-winners.
Lewis will lean on that core to help the younger players settle into their roles.
“The way we filled these holes was by bringing up developed JV players with a mix of starting five underclassmen,” Lewis said. “Strong leadership from returning starters Adison Cook, Savannah Swaye, and Kailey Wulfert has helped to fill holes and motivate these new players bringing them together as a team.”
Cook, a sophomore forward, scored one goal and added four assists in 18 starts last season. She earned honorable mention All-CVC honors.
Wulfert, a senior midfielder, started 18 games last season. Simpkins, a senior forward, played in 18 games, and Worthing, a senior forward, pitched in with two assists in 16 games.
Swaye, a senior defender, started 18 games and earned honorable mention All-CVC and All-Greater Cleveland honors.
West Geauga’s key to turning around the 2023 season is to continue settling into new schemes and jelling as a squad.
“In order to be successful, our team must learn what is our best playing style with this new group,” Lewis said. “With so many new varsity starters, this season is going to be about coming together to learn how to play as a unit. Putting in quality work in practice and executing game plans with a sense of strong leadership to move the team forward will make us successful.”
