Kirtland is off to a 3-2 start to the season with a 3-0 mark against other Division III programs.
With eight starters and 13 other letter-winners returning, the Hornets are poised to make another deep postseason run.
“Our goal never changes from year to year,” said 20th-year head coach Ed Bradac. “We want to play as long as we can. We only graduated four seniors from last year’s team so there are not as many holes to fill as we had last year.”
Kirtland finished 9-6-4 overall last fall and with 37 girls on the roster, the Hornets have plenty of talent and depth to accomplish its goal.
“I believe our strength is the number of girls playing soccer,” Bradac said. “The plan is to rotate players in and out of our lineup to keep players fresh and to promote competition from within.”
The Hornets get a boost from the return of junior forward Clare Davidson, who scored eight goals with three assists as a freshman in 2021. She tore her ACL and missed the 2022 season.
“Clare is returning after missing her sophomore year due to injury,” Bradac said. “She will help create offensive chances for not only herself but for her teammates.”
Teaming up with Davidson up top is junior Kennedy Boyd, who previously was Kirtland’s starting goalkeeper.
She scored five goals with two assists last season.
“Kennedy transitioned last year from our starting goalkeeper to one of our starting forwards,” Bradac said. “Kennedy will be called on to help generate offense for our team this year.”
In the midfield, the Hornets are as experienced as they are talented.
Seniors Stephanie Drazetic, Brynn Bradac, and Sylvia Vosicky provide the Hornets with speed and skill in the midfield.
Drazetic was a second-team All-Chagrin Valley Conference and All-Greater Cleveland selection after scoring two goals with five assists last season.
“Stephanie is one of our captains this year and has earned that role,” Bradac said. “She will be key to our team’s success this year due to her soccer ability and her knowledge of the game.”
Bradac recorded two assists on the way to earning honorable mention All-Greater Cleveland.
“Brynn is very good at seeing the field and getting her teammates the ball,” Coach Bradac said. “She will be asked to play a larger role in the offense than what she did last year. She will also be one of our team’s captains this year.”
Vosicky is one of Kirtland’s top distance runners and she brings a healthy work ethic to the soccer squad.
“Sylvia will be one of our outside midfielders this year,” Bradac said. “Paired with her soccer skills and her cross country endurance, she will help our team in a variety of ways.”
Seniors Lily Whittaker and Maia Raguz solidify Kirtland’s defensive line.
“Lily will be called on to anchor or defense. Her calm presence in the back is what sets her apart from other players. Lily is also one of our team captains,” Bradac said. “Maia returns as a starter from last year.”
Back in goal for her second season is junior Emily Ridgeway.
“Emily was a first-year starter last year in goal,” Bradac said. “She, along with our defense, only allowed 19 goals in 19 games; 10 of those games were shutouts.”
With an experienced squad, Bradac will lean on his seniors to set the tone for the rest of the Hornets on and off the field.
“This year, like every year, we will rely on our seniors for leadership both on and off of the field,” he said. “Pair those seniors with a strong junior class and I believe we will be competitive throughout the season and postseason.”
