Ridgewood hopes to rebound in girls’ soccer
WEST LAFAYETTE – Coshocton County’s youngest high school soccer program is looking to get back to the winning ways it had experienced in years previous to the 2013 season. That is the expectation that Head Coach Casey Claxon has for the Ridgewood High School girls team this year.
“I’m excited about how much we’ve improved offensively since 2013,” said Claxon, whose first four years of coaching saw the Lady Generals compile an impressive 31-19-13 record. “We also have much more speed up front at forward.”
Ridgewood slipped to 2-12-2 last year and bowed out of tournament play after a 5-0 loss to St. Clairsville in the opening round.
Providing the bulk of the quickness Claxon is so excited about are seniors Marissa Whitt and junior Kristen Milligan. Whitt is one of 10 seniors on the squad and the pair will be looked at to provide some offensive punch.
Also back are senior captains Hollie Schwab (defender), Brianna Grace (defender) and Amanda Davis (midfielder). Another pair of seniors who will be looked upon as key players are Victoria Share (defender) and Daneyliz Rodriguez (midfielder).
Other starters are expected to be senior defenders Natasha Helmick and Winter Preston; and senior Kimi Pepping, junior Courtney Elliott and sophomore Colleen Schwartz at midfield.
At keeper will be freshman Karrie Bluck, who takes over for the graduated Sam Moore, who contributed not only between the pipes, but was also the team’s leading scorer.
Also battling for playing time are senior Kyra Gephart (midfielder); junior Taeshu Edinger (midfielder); sophomores Abbey Powers (midfielder), Megan Cox (midfielder), Alyssa Grove (defender), Mallory Simmons (defender) and Emily Kobel (midfielder); and freshman Sarah Callahan (forward).
Claxon sees the development of an offensive attack and finding the back of the net as the biggest challenges his team will face this season.
“Our goal is to get better every day,” he said. “We also want to improve our first touch and get stronger, both in the midfield and up front. Scoring goals will be our biggest obstacle. We also want to win a tournament game in 2014.”
Assisting Claxon in his sixth season are Judd Bone and Keith Matz.
Category: High School
