GRAHAMSVILLE – Make no mistake about it, T-V girls soccer coach Kayla Connolly anticipates that the 2022 Lady Bears will hold little resemblance to the team that struggled last fall. With only three seniors who graduated, including keeper Alex Allison, sweeper Samantha Morgan and midfielder Aiyana Brown, this year’s squad which numbers around 20 is rife with experience and energy. 

At first look, one might presume that the success of the campaign would depend on standout players Kendall McGregor, Abigail Mentnech and Brook Delaney.  Kaylee Poppa will take over the duties in the net replacing Allison. Clearly that foursome encompasses some major talent. But Connolly has revamped her strategy to assure a much more efficient way to move the ball up the field and put her team in more frequent as well as better positions to score. Soccer is won in the midfield and the vying for 50-50 balls. That takes agility, hustle and aggressiveness as well as efficient positioning on the field. All those elements are part and parcel of the preseason workouts. 

Needless to say, conditioning is key. Soccer entails running for 80 minutes and that takes stamina and determination. Connolly cites other players as major contributors to the upcoming effort. They include outside midfielder Mackenzie Closs, the team’s only sophomore Jenna Carmody and defenders Sammy Mentnech and Joyce Brooks. Rounding out the squad are Anna Streimer, Emily Hornbeck, Emily Rusin, Isabelle Mentnech, Kaytlyn Ingrassia, Clare Verbert and Sierra Mickelson. 

There will likely be others, but Connolly is still looking over the array to determine if some of the players may or may not be included. This practice session was delayed by thunder. The Lady Bears will travel to scrimmage Port Jervis on September 1. They open their season by hosting Monticello on September 6.