LEHIGHTON

Head coach Lamar Long (Second season)Assistant coaches Ashley Lichenwalter, Krysti Klotz, Ashley MillerLast year's record 9-9-3 overallLeague Mountain Valley ConferenceKey losses Rachel Werley, Steph Slaw, Lauren Michalik, Emily KollarKey returnees Sarah Keer (Sr., F), Maris Stern (Jr., MID), Sage Terembula (Sr., F)Other to watch Lacey Haldeman (Sr., DEF), Emily Mantz (Sr., F)Strengths The team chemistry, according to Coach Long, is a lot stronger this season than in years past and that should make a huge difference across the board...also, there is plenty of experience returning in the key positions for the Tribe, which Long can rely on.Weaknesses There is a distinct lack of depth with the Indians this season on the varsity roster, which may pose problems as the season goes along.Quotable "We definitely need to work on our offensive pressure in the early-going. There needs to be more attacking and capitalizing on scoring when the ball is in the circle. Our leaders are looked up to and all of them are focused on the same goals," Head coach Lamar Long.NORTHERN LEHIGHHead coach Jess Frew (14th season)Assistant coaches Kelly Follweiler, Liz ChunkoLast year's record 11-8-2 overall (10-4-2 CL)League Colonial LeagueKey losses Rachel Wagner, Kiana Bellesfield, Heather ChandlerKey returnees Kayla Brensinger (Sr., MID), Morgan Farber (Sr., DEF), Casey Gavalla (Sr., MID), Nicole Horn (Sr., GK), Lauren Zellner (Sr., F).Other to watch Jennie Fronheiser (Sr.), Jackie Taylor (Sr.), Chelsea Harlan (Jr.), Megan Weil (Jr.), Taryn Kemmerer (So.), Laura Kane (Sr.)Strengths This year's Lady 'Dawgs features a large group of seniors with plenty of leadership and a strong sense of work ethic...also, with a new field to play their home matches on, it gives the players the motivation to do well and perform well on that field.Weaknesses Nolehi lost a few key players on the offensive side of the field that will hurt their offense, so their main focus now, is to find players that are going to be able to fill in those holes, and do it quickly.Quotable "With some strong players and programs in the Colonial League, we are going to compete with some of those teams and Hopefully, by utilizing speed and experience to our advantage, we might be able to get to the championship. Bangor, Southern Lehigh, and Moravian Academy are probably the league favorites and I think we are right up there with them. Praciticing on a faster surface will make our game faster and develop our skills to become better. That will make for a more aggressive and fast game, which hopefully plays to our advantage." Head coach Jess Frew.NORTHWESTERNHead coach Patty Mengel (First season)Assistant coaches Jayme BakerLast year's record 11-6-3 overall (9-4 CL)League Colonial LeagueClassification AAKey losses Lauren Horner, Sam Partington, Caileigh Landrigan, Hannah Beville, Tiffany Gumina, Sam Bagenstose, Lorraine Feinour, Alexandra RauschKey returnees Cecily Gensits (Jr., MID), Brooke Novotnak (Jr., D), Paige Horner (Jr., F), Alex Lerner (Sr., F), Kylee Bennett (Jr., F)Other to watch Kassie Killanowski (Jr., MID), Cassidy Shuopp (Fr., MID), Claire O'Dea (Fr.), Erika Thomas (Fr.), Jaime Kraky (Sr.)Strengths The Tigers return several players with varsity experience, especially on the forward line. This year's freshmen class could make an impact immediately. First-year head coach Patty Mengel is pleased with the team's work ethic and the fact that her players came into camp in great shape.Weaknesses The Tigers need to fill some holes left by the graduation of a large senior class. Losing a Division I player like Lauren Horner will be hard to make up for. The team also lost Sara Jones, an All-League Second Team midfielder last year who is playing soccer this fall. Another hole was left in goal, where graduate Lorraine Feinour earned All League Honorable Mention honors last year.Quotable "The work hard. They seem to have great, positive attitudes. I think we're going to be competitive. Absolutely. I've got some comptetitors and they've really been coachable," Head Coach Patty Mengel.PALMERTONHead coach Kim Seiler (Third season)Assistant coaches Tammy MunizLast year's record 4-11-2 overall (4-10-2 CL)League Colonial LeagueClassification AAKey losses Kylee Turko, Kelsey Eaton, Morgan Myers, Kayla Creed, Brianna QuinnKey returnees Stephanie Buck (Sr., MID/DEF), Samantha Doherty (Sr., DEF), Nika Descocio (Sr., MID), Jessica Periera (Sr., F/MID), Morgan Mummey (Sr., F), Devon Smith (Sr., GK), Kyla Rodrigues (Sr., F)Other to watch Kaeyln Englert (Jr., F), Jessica Debski (Jr., MID), Taylor Hontz (Jr., DEF), Mikayla Krupa (Jr., MID/F), Macie Hourt (So., F)Strengths The Bombers' strength lies in their mid-field. They have girls that have worked really hard to improve controlling the ball and moving it up the field. Seiler admitted their goals include controlling the ball and moving it forward to their goal scorers. The Bomber forwards have been creating plays in the circle and getting more opportunities to score. The Bombers' goal keeper, Smith, is a senior and has a lot of experience in front of the cage. Seiler stated she's hoping to get a personal best and improve her shut out record.Weaknesses Seiler is concerned simply about the Bombers finishing off close games. Last season, the Bombers had five ties at the end of regulation, all of them did not end in their favor. Seiler said the Bombers need to build up their endurance level and be able to finish those close games.Quotable "I know you everyone has heard it a thousand times, but it's true hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. We need as a team to practice our basic skills to improve our game play. We are working on improving stick skills, controlling the ball in the midfield and scoring. You can bring the ball into the circle all day, but it doesn't matter if you don't finish, you have to hear the ball hit the back of the cage to win," Head coach Kim Seiler.PLEASANT VALLEYHead coach Angela Frantz (Second season)Assistant coaches Colleen Dinan, James ShayLast year's record 6-11-1 overallLeague Mountain Valley ConferenceClassification AAAKey losses Katie Forte, Hannah Bard, Molly Smith, Kaitlyn SeigfriedKey returnees Hayley Williams (Sr., MID), Sam Moss (Sr., MID), Dominique Kindt (Sr., DEF), Nina Stats (Sr., F), Melissa Russo (Jr., F), Ann-Marie Butchkowski (So., MID)Other to watch Alex DiMarco (Jr., DEF), Abby Roselli (So., F), Rachel Wild (So., GK)Strengths Pleasant Valley has gained some quality experience from last year and has a promising squad heading into this season. Frantz feels the team's strength lies in its forwards' speed. That, and the team's overall conditioning, is much better this time around.Weaknesses Scoring may be an issue for the Bears this year, although Frantz is hoping the speed up front can provide some of that. Also, the defense lacks the quickness that the front line has and will need to be in the right place at all times to make up for that.Quotable "I am hoping to make it to the MVC and District 11 playoffs again and post a winning record. I want us to work well as a team and we will need to do that in order to achieve those goals," Head coach Angela Frantz.