SETTING THE SCENE: The 2016 Milford High School girls soccer team is ready to roll with the start of its campaign as the Eagles kick off a three-match opening week with a home match against Lebanon on Saturday (Aug. 20). The Eagles were able to secure a fourth place finish in last season’s final Eastern Cincinnati Conference standings (3-1-3), but finished just 5-6-6 overall. Following the home opener, the Eagles will take to the road for a pair traveling to Sycamore next Tuesday (Aug. 23) and two days later making the trek to Centerville.
THE UPCOMING DOCKET: A look at Milford’s schedule for the upcoming week:
- Saturday, Aug. 20 vs. Lebanon, 4:00 p.m. (to be played in Eagles Stadium on turf field)
- 2015 Record: 12-2-3, 4-0-1 GWOC (RV Division I area coaches’ preseason poll)
- Top Returning Player: Junior Emi Carlo (10 G, 5 A, 25 pts.)
- Last Meeting: 2015; Lebanon 1, Milford 0
- Series History: Milford leads 10-3-3
- Tuesday, Aug. 23 at Sycamore, 7:00 p.m.
- 2015 Record: 8-6-5, 4-4-1 GMC (RV Division I area coaches’ preseason poll)
- Top Returning Player: Junior Kelsey Kandil (7 G, 7 A, 21 pts.)
- Last Meeting: 2015; Milford 1, Sycamore 1
- Series History: Sycamore leads 29-18-7
- Thursday, Aug. 25 at Centerville, 7:15 p.m.
- 2015 Record: 12-4-4, 4-0-1 GWOC
- Top Returning Player: Senior Grace Geise (13 G, 1 A, 27 pts.)
- Last Meeting: 2015; Milford 1, Centerville 1
- Series History: Tied 1-1-1
A LOOK AT THE EAGLES: The 2016 Eagles will be out to improve on last year’s 5-6-6 final record in a season that came to a close in heartbreaking fashion as Anderson won a penalty kicks shootout in the opening round of the OHSAA Tournament. Despite the graduation of six seniors that will play collegiately this fall, head coach Pat Winkler does welcome back several experienced contributors from last season, including eight that scored at least two points last season. The Eagles’ top returner is reigning first team All-ECC choice Amanda Zanola. A stalwart on defense, Zanola also added a pair of goals from the back last year. Up front, junior Bryn Rolfsen is also back after earning second team all-conference honors following a two-goal, one-assist season last fall. Another senior Tori Gilman, is the top returning scorer on the squad after finding the back of the net three times and adding an assist, good for a 2015 All-ECC honorable mention selection. Other top returning scorers are senior McKinley Dumm and junior Maggie Ohmer who scored two goals each a year ago. In goal, the Eagles will to turn to either junior Jessica Morgan who earned one shutout in limited action a year ago or senior Taylor Rouse.
POLL WATCH: Milford again opens the season among other teams receiving votes in the area Division I coaches’ poll sponsored by the Cincinnati Enquirer and released on Aug. 15. The 23 first place votes are divided among the top-seven squads, with Mason and reigning ECC champ Loveland each earning eight, but the former edging the Tigers by three points for the No. 1 overall spot. Mount Notre Dame grabbed three first place votes for third, with Turpin from the ECC, Oak Hills, St. Ursula and Fairfield each earning a single top nod. The ECC is also represented by Walnut Hills in 10th. The coaches’ poll is released every Monday at Noon at preps.cincinnati.com/coachespolls.