Northwestern has become known as “Title Town” and all signs point to the Tigers contending for more championships again this season.

The two soccer teams both saw valuable members of their program graduate, but there is quite a bit of talent returning. Where positions have opened, there is also skilled athletes ready to fill in the gaps. The same can be said for the field hockey team, which has won four straight district crowns.

Experience returns on the cross country squads, while the volleyball team continues to improve from year to year.

GIRLS SOCCER

Head coach: Jordan Smith

League: Colonial

Key losses: Marley Delillo, Addy Kahl, Emily Kistler, Kiersten Klein, Olivia Reinhart, Sofia Sikora, MyKaela Yanders, Kherington Yezik

Key returnees: Amelia Glassberg, Lexi Kercher, Maddy Milks, Hannah Newcomer, Dylan Ritter, Sophia Schaffer, Bella Smith, Ava Snyder, Juliet Snyder

Top newcomers: Hadley Beitler, Maddy Bisner, Annabelle Dynda, Ellie Fluke, Brystol Hamm, Kaylynn Knauss, Jalyssa Kubat, Addy Metzger, Rylin Snyder, Mila Stofanek, Sophia Varvelis

Outlook: The goalie position at Northwestern is anything but a revolving door. The only thing that has ended the last two goalies — Naomi Glassberg and Olivia Reinhart — runs in goal has been graduation. Coming into this season, Northwestern will start off with several players sharing the spot. Hannah Newcomer and Bryston Hamm both have performed well early on and will share the job. On defense, Ritter and Milks are on the outside and will make it difficult for teams to get good looks at the goal. The Tigers return their two leading scorers in Juliet Snyder and All-State midfielder Sophia Schaffer. Ava Snyder moves up on the field to join the offensive crew that will have three or four freshmen, including Kaylynn Knauss, who will contribute regularly to the scoring.

Quotable: “I have loved the way team chemistry and morale are increasing. We have a ton of experience returning with four players who have contributed since freshman year, but we also have a lot of youth to help bring a different type of energy.” — Head coach Jordan Smith

BOYS SOCCER

Head coach: Nate Hunsicker

League: Colonial

Key losses: Austin Bittenbender, Egan Boyle, John Kelley, Isaiah Lynch, Logan Mesics, Caelan Stangil

Key returnees: Dean Carl, Lyle Good, Ben Hawk, Logan Heeps, Cole Mertz

Top newcomers: Matt Bell, Russell DeLong, Turner Milks

Outlook: Northwestern Lehigh’s offensive attack was a three-headed monster last season with Mesics, Stangil, and Mertz all capable of taking over a game offensively. Graduation took out two of the heads on that monster leaving Mertz to find new partners. While the losses on the offensive side are difficult to overcome, Bittenbender, Boyle and Lynch were each key defensive players that left large holes to fill in front of returning goalie Dean Carl. DeLong and Milks will fill two of those spots with Matt Bell and Ben Hawk also fighting for playing time. Coach Nate Hunsicker has possibly the youngest lineup he has had in his tenure as the team’s coach. The season opener at Palmerton gives Hunsicker the opportunity to get his 300th career win as a coach.

Quotable: “We’re young but the boys jumping into the lineup have all been hungry and they are eager to get their chance. We keep harping on how young we are, but it’s just the reality; we only have a couple of seniors with a lot of varsity experience. I look at it as an advantage because these guys are hungry and looking forward to the opportunity that they have in front of them.” — Head coach Nate Hunsicker

CROSS COUNTRY

Head Coach: Chris Stitzel (28th season)

League: Colonial

Key losses: Girls - Ava Smedstad; Boys - Jonathan Fornauf, Kieran Baker.

Key returnees: Girls - Jr. Rosalia Nestor, So. Katie Furman, Sr. Charlotte David, So. Emily Fornwalt, So. Amber Carl, So. Annie Kline; Boys - Sr. Noah Griffith, Sr. Brady Furman, Jr. Quentin Gutierrez-Kehm, Jr. Isaac Grubb, Sr. Michael Richards, So. Logan Spotts, Jr. Seth Kershner.

Top newcomers: Girls - Jr. Emily Kistler, Fr. Lillian Scanlon, Fr. Alaina Shurr; Boys - Jr. Brandon Richards, Fr. Adin Breininger, Fr. Coben Blanken.

Outlook: The Tiger girls team returns six of its top seven runners from last year’s team that went 20-8, including returning state qualifier Nestor at the top of the lineup. The addition of Kistler, who will be the team’s No. 2, along with two freshmen that figure to be in the top five, should make the Tigers formidable this fall. Northwestern’s boys team also returns its top runner in Griffith, and will have a newcomer in Brandon Richards in its top two this fall. Freshman Adin Breininger will likely slot in behind those two as the team’s third runner. The Tigers went 22-6 last season.

Quotable: “I think [the girls team] can make a run and be in the top tier this year. We took our lumps last year but we still had over 20 wins. I think we can be even better this year, and next year. This is going to be the year for the boys. We’ll definitely be stronger this year. We’ll be able to compete with Notre Dame, Wilson and Southern Lehigh. Picking up Brandon, we’ll have a nice 1-2 punch. And Noah is in better shape this year. He put the work in.” — Head coach Chris Stitzel.

FIELD HOCKEY

Head coach: Lissa Opolsky

League: Colonial

Key losses: Hannah Gober, Haley Kerschner, Taylor Langley, Ella Bressi, Makayla Bressi

Key returnees: Faith Slifer, Melanie Schmidt, Riley Stoudt, Evelyn Albouqc

Top newcomers: Julia Farber, Madelyn Lagowy, Charlotte Gober

Outlook: The Tigers have back-to-back Colonial League championships to defend. They also have four straight district championships, and six of the last seven championships, to defend. The loss of Gober, who was not just a statistical leader, but a leader on and off the field, left a hole, but it’s nothing that Northwestern hasn’t been able to overcome before. The group of young players have solid backgrounds and bring a lot of athleticism to the roster.

Quotable: “We are looking forward to having a really competitive season in the Colonial League. While we are working on learning the game each and every day, we bring a lot of energy and work ethic. We will continue to push forward and intend to have our best as we go.” – Head coach Lissa Opolsky

VOLLEYBALL

Head coach: Mike Maston

League: Colonial

Key losses: Alexandra Diehl, Lily Kinnon, Leah Nagle, Danielle Rigan

Key returnees: Anna Ebeling, Lexi George, Daisy Stringer

Top newcomers: CeCe Edgar, Hailey Rex, Olivia Schmoyer

Outlook: The success of the volleyball program is increasing the interest from student-athletes. This year’s roster has seven seniors, as well as nine sophomores with more players than Maston has had the opportunity to work with in his four previous seasons. Stringer had over 200 kills last season, and has a shot at reaching the 500-kill milestone. The bad news is that she will get a late start because of an offseason injury. Meanwhile, Edgar is back from an injury and gives Northwestern a strong presence up front. The team took big steps last season with their first ever win over Notre Dame-Green Pond, along with their first ever trip to the Colonial League finals.

Quotable: “By the end of our first practice, the girls were cheering each other on, and everyone was really positive. We have a really good culture, and I’m thinking that we can have a really good year this year. We only lost four seniors, so the girls that are here have played together for a good amount of time.” – Head coach Mike Maston