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Girls soccer season underway and there’s plenty of great games to watch this fall

By Jon Gerardi 13 min read

It's hard to believe, but the fall season is finally here and the days of summer are all but over. That means high school athletes are ready to compete, and already began so with athletic schedules kicking off this past Saturday.

When it comes to girls soccer, there's a ton of great matchups to circle on the calendar. Which games featuring area teams are ones you should circle and not miss?

Lets take a look

Muncy at Hughesville

(Thursday, Sept. 3)

Muncy entered this year a little banged up from summer practices with a few injuries, but this still should be a good matchup to watch. Muncy is coming off its first District 4 Class A championship last year while Hughesville was a District 4 Class AA semifinalist.

Both teams lost plenty from last year's squads. For Muncy, they're adjusting to life without last year's Player of the Year Emilie Nagel. Hughesville lost speedster Kylie Temple up top.

But both have a lot back, and this matchup should be an interesting one between two teams which no doubt will be back in the playoffs this fall.

Loyalsock at

South Williamsport

(Saturday, Sept. 5)

Rivalry games are always great to watch, regardless of sport. And Loyalsock/South Williamsport is a good one for soccer fans to get to at South Williamsport's park.

The Lancers opened the year with a 3-0 win over Troy, a team they fell to last season 7-0. That no doubt has given Loyalsock confidence right away. While South Williamsport lost talented players from last year's squad such as Ella Moore and Althea Street, plenty players return who can make an impact again this year, such as Coco Kline.

Pete Ruhl took over at Loyalsock and has coached previously on the boys side. Marc Lovecchio is a longtime coach who can get the best out of his roster regardless of who is on the field.

Warrior Run at

Hughesville

(Wednesday, Sept. 9)

These two met up last year during the regular season and the Defenders left with a narrow 2-0 win against the Spartans. Both Hughesville and Warrior Run reach last year's District 4 Class AA semifinals on opposite sides of the bracket as Hughesville fell to Troy while Warrior Run lost to eventual champion Central Columbia.

Both these programs have played great soccer over the past few seasons and this year should be the same for both. The Spartans play well against tough competition under coach Cody Hack recently, and Hughesville should give the Defenders a good game.

Will Warrior Run beat Hughesville again this year? Time will tell when this game rolls around.

Montoursville at Lewisburg

(Wednesday, Sept. 16)

Last year Montoursville and Lewisburg had a thrilling contest during the regular season in which the Warriors edged out the Green Dragons in double overtime, 3-2. That win was a big one for the Warriors in the end to help Montoursville reach the postseason as Montoursville went 9-7-3 and qualified late.

Kenna Bennett graduated, leaving a defensive hole to fill as she's now playing on the back line at Misericordia, but the Warriors have talent throughout its roster to move pieces around and solidify the defense.

This is the fifth game on Montoursville's schedule, which features a really tough start against District 4 Class A runner-up Southern Columbia, District 4 Class AA champion Central Columbia and District 4 Class AAA runner-up Milton.

The Warriors will be battle tested early, and Lewisburg will be another tough test for them early in the season.

Milton at Warrior Run

(Wednesday, Sept. 16)

Milton handed Warrior Run a 1-0 loss last year in late September and played well that game preventing a talented Defender squad from putting in an equalizer and rallying.

Rod Harris has been a great coach for the Black Panthers over the last handufl of years and gets the best out of the team.

Both Warrior Run and Milton won 14 games last year and this year's matchup between the two should be a good, close matchup like last year's was. Both teams are eyeing the District 4 playoffs again and want to make deep runs.

Consider this game a mid-September playoff warmup.

South Williamsport

vs. Muncy

(Thursday, Sept. 17 and Monday, Oct. 12)

The last few seasons have seen South Williamsport and Mucny play good games. Two years ago, South Williamsport beat Muncy in the District 4 Class A championship game in a close one-goal game. Last year, Muncy didn't get a chance at revenge against South in the playoffs, but they obviously met up twice in the regular season since they're Mid-Penn rivals.

Muncy beat South in the first matchup, 2-1, before the two drew to a 1-1 double overtime draw in the second contest.

These two will no doubt play each other tough in the regular season once more. As noted already, both teams have key graduation losses, and that'll impact the roster no doubt, but both Jason Gresh and Marc Lovecchio are great coaches who know how to make adjustments on the field to help their respective teams play great.

Muncy at Southern Columbia

(Saturday, Sept. 26)

This is a game a lot of fans in Muncy and Southern likely have circled since the schedule came out. These two battled hard in last year's District 4 Class A championship game as Muncy beat the Tigers for the program's first-ever title.

Southern Columbia year in and year out is a tough program that is constantly in the playoffs. Last year's win gave Muncy a ton of confidence if they didn't already have it, and expect that to carry over into this year after the Indians reached the PIAA Class A semifinals for the first time ever.

Eva Eyer played great in goal last year and got better it seemed as the season went on, playing her best in the playoffs. Expect her and Muncy's back line to be ready against a Tigers team that wants a little revenge from last year.

Montoursville at Hughesville

(Tuesday, Sept.. 29)

Hughesville suffered a 1-0 loss last year to the Warriors early in the year in the team's sixth game, their third loss of the year up to that point. Both teams qualified for the District 4 Class AA playoffs, but they were on opposite sides of the bracket and didn't get a chance to meet up.

Hughesville wanted to no doubt avenge that loss last year in districts, but they will look instead to try to do so in this late September matchup.

Montoursville will look to limit Kat Temple's chances up top while Hughesville knows Khaya Bennett will be a player they have to mark and prevent from getting open.

This one has a chance at being a low-scoring affair where each team will be looking for that one chance to put in a goal.

Loyalsock at

Montoursville

(Thursday, Oct. 1)

Speaking of Montoursville, the Warriors and Lancers are rivals in every sport being just a town apart, and they always seem to put on great, exciting games for fans.

Be it football, basketball or soccer, they deliver for fans and last year was the latest example. Montoursville fell on the road to Loyalsock in a tough game, 3-2. The year prior, Loyalsock beat the Warriors in overtime, 2-1.

Montoursville has dropped two straight regular-season meetings since a 3-0 win in 2023. Montoursville will hope to snap that skid against the Lancers this year, but Loyalsock is a team looking to prove itself after a disappointing 5-13 year in 2025.

Williamspoart at

Montoursville

(Monday, Oct. 19)

Have we mentioned Montoursville in a must-see game yet? Well, mark down another.

Last year, Montoursville traveled to Balls Mills and played Williamsport midway through the season and the Millionaires earned an exciting 2-1 victory in double overtime against the Warriors.

It came a year after a tough 1-0 loss to Montoursville in 2024.

Williamsport lost a lot of talented scorers from last year, notably the program's all-time goal scorer Jaelynn Helmrich. But Breah Phillips is a player who is looking to spark Williamsport's offense and is a player Montoursville will know it has to limit.

AREA ROSTERS

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN

COACH: Lauren Heimer

ASSISTANTS: Becky Terry

LAST YEAR: 1-13 (0-9 HAC-I)

LEAGUE: HAC-I

ROSTER: Seniors: Harper Conklin, Leah Feerrar, Cayman Hill, Leah Karstetter, Eva Mitchell, Cora Seyler. Juniors: Kali Couturiax, Carrah Culvey, Alyssa Ford, Evelyn Nestor, Autumn Sneath, Ashlyn Zener. Sophomores: Julianna Beardslee, Rylee Bottorf, Sophia Climent, Addisyn Evarts, Chloe Foltz, Lily McGonigal, Sofia Neitz, Arabella Onuskanish, Gabriella Snyder, Cora Svec, Reese Warner, Zaylie Warren. Freshmen: Piper Bechdel, Briar Etters, Abby Filla, Lucy Geyer, Piper Gilmore, Kendall Rathmell, Emily Rote, Adriana Serafini, Aniston Torres, Paige Zener.

HUGHESVILLE

COACH: Cody Hack

ASSISTANTS: (not available)

LAST YEAR: 15-5 (6-2 HAC-II)

LEAGUE: HAC-II

ROSTER: Seniors: Camile Fournier, Kendall Hamm, Hailey Stevens, Sierra Dewire, Katelyn Temple, Jasmine Caputo. Juniors: Tori Morgan, Addi Shirvinski, Bella Remsnyder, Giada Good, Leah Lehman, Bella Young. Sophomores: Kalia Hack, Jaysa Keiss, Regan Sellers, Ella McClintock, Aubrey Arrigonie, Jadyn Temple, Ciara Campbell. Freshmen: Paige Wright, Savanna Bruder, Ella Anstadt, Abrianna Jesser, Kinley Woolever,

JERSEY SHORE

COACH: Sarah Luprek

ASSISTANTS: Kristin Petruzzi, Mason Lauchle, Efrain Guzman

LAST YEAR: 5-13 (2-7 HAC-I)

LEAGUE: HAC-I

ROSTER: Seniors: Giana Martino, Chloe Corson. Juniors: Gabriella Trunzo, Jessalyn Milbrand, Elliana Herr, Emma Dady. Sophomores: Kaia Notevarp, Sadie Schall, Elizabeth Hollick, Ellyn Decker, Elizabeth Hawkins, Kendall Brooks, Abigail King. Freshmen: Sydney Parr, Ryann Verne, Dakota Newcomer, Caitlin McDermott, Whitney Nora.

LEWISBURG

COACH: Emaleigh Greb

ASSISTANTS: Janelle Neff, Matt Salsman, Sohraya Truax, Maddy Wheeler

LAST YEAR: 8-10-1 (4-3 HAC-II) (def. Bloomsburg 4-1 in first round of District 4 Class AA playoffs; lost to Central Columbia 5-0 in quarterfinals)

LEAGUE: HAC-II

ROSTER: Seniors: Nora Hockenbrock, Claire Driver, Vimbiso Kondo. Juniors: Kylie Orth, Payton Spigelmyer, Sara Mincermoyer. Sophomores: Kinlee Lytle, Madelyn Schwartz, Adelyn Boyer, Kennedy North, Adelynn Barner, Lauren Asche. Freshmen: Elyse Kaufman, Maya Jusko, Emma Wert, Anneka Altoft, Alexandra Murr, Amelia Rupert.

LOYALSOCK

COACH: Pete Ruhl

ASSISTANTS: Adrian Temple, Nikki Nycz

LAST YEAR: 5-13 (3-6 HAC-II)

LEAGUE: HAC-II

ROSTER: Ava Deknecht, Molly Boyer, Natalie Pearson, Evelyn Douthat, Madelyn Van Fleet, Olivia Catherman, Rachel Buffington, Charlotte Cappel, Celia Percoco, Olivia Alberts, Mallory Paronish, Shree Patel, Ellianna Mertes, Mackenzie Miller, Caroline Anjard, Rileigh Engel, Madison Perry, Madelyn Hughes, Lucy Ecker, Isabella Allen, Rayven Johnson, Oliiva King.

N.P.-MANSFIELD

COACH: Ashtyn Pascoe

ASSISTANTS: Dennis Rew

LAST YEAR: 9-9-1 (6-5-1 NTL) (lost to Midd-West 3-0 in first round of District 4 Class AA playoffs)

LEAGUE: NTL

ROSTER: Seniors: Adalie Frey, Molly Hanawalt, Irsis Irwin, Avalon Rew, Madison Baker, Haile Hodgkins, Brooklyn Ragan, Adalyne Yungwirth, Jaci Fairchild. Juniors: Bailey Smith, Addilyn Lehman, Rileigh Shellenberger. Sophomores: Amelia Graham, Laurel Morgan, Leila Garverick, Audrina Hopkins, Scarlett Graham, Maleah Hanawalt, Colette Frey, Serena Boiywo, Bella Massaro.

MILTON

COACH: Rod Harris

ASSISTANTS: Patrick McCarthy, Taylor Snyder, Norm Jones

LAST YEAR: 14-4 (5-2 HAC-II) (def. Selinsgrove 1-0 in District 4 Class AAA semifinals; lost to Shikellamy 4-1 SO in championship)

LEAGUE: HAC-II

ROSTER: Seniors: Sienna Short, Maeve Ficks, Avery Jones, Kaydence Wilson. Juniors: Sydney Kime, Alexis Bergey, Aubryana Hertzler, Jaslene Holder, Fiona Zheng, Hayden Snyder. Sophomores: Deliana Reynolds, Miller, Gabrielle Reiff, Alassa Guffey, Kyleigh Ficks, Harper Gemberling, Kaya Medley, Makayla Wolfe, Charlotte Gessner, Madison Lytle. Freshmen: Brooke Moser, Aubree Cain, Alexa Foust, Peyton Salwocki, Macie Smith, Alexa Moser.

MONTGOMERY

COACH: Hannah Summerson

ASSISTANTS: Scott Williams, Makenna Hakes

LAST YEAR: 10-9 (4-6 Mid-Penn) (lost to Southern Columbia 9-0 in District 4 Class A quarterfinals)

LEAGUE: Mid-Penn

ROSTER: Seniors: Addison Greger, Isabella Rivera-Williams, Mady Dieffenderfer, Amelia Shrimp, Zoey Sargent. Juniors: Brijit Rupert, Aleaha Grimm, Carly Kepner, Grace Childs, Addi Grimm. Sophomores: Ali Herb, Brooke Knoebel, Miranda Staggert. Freshmen: Rebecca Muhl, Olivia Kaelin, Aubrey Staggert, Jena KNoebel, Ryleeanne Rupert.

MONTOURSVILLE

COACH: Vic Gorini

ASSISTANTS: Amanda Walter, Travis Heap, Justin Jones

LAST YEAR: 9-7-3 (4-0-1 HAC-II) (lost to Warrior Run 3-2 SO in District 4 Class AA quarterfinals)

LEAGUE: HAC-I

ROSTER: Seniors: Faith Berwanger, Rowan Fortin, Elyse Boyle, Becca Teffeteller, Margo Steinbacher, Adele Dunkleberger, Julia Breon. Juniors: Marleigh Bainbridge, Adelyn Montgomery, Vivian Heivly, Khaya Bennett, Abby Strassner. Sophomores: Nadia Scheller, Kinsley Schon, Regan Aguirre, Anna Teffeteller, Hannah Lorson, Harlee Hagemeyer. Freshmen: Arabella Trafford, Brynn Joiner, Livia Michael, Elliana Eck, Lizzy Vanderwall, Aubrie Hawley, Lisa Schramm, Harper Nau, Audree Francis, Emalyn Jones, Kenzie Lundy.

MUNCY

COACH: Jason Gresh

ASSISTANTS: John Karichner, Kate Herron, Todd Modispaw, Taylor Sees

LAST YEAR: 20-3-1 (9-0-1 Mid-Penn) (league champs; def. East Juniata 5-0 in District 4 Class A quarterfinals; def. Line Mountain 2-1 in semifinals; def. Southern Columbia 1-0 in championship; def. York Catholic 3-0 in PIAA Class A playoffs; def. Schuylkill Haven 2-1 (2 OT) in state quarterfinals; lost to Faith Christian 3-0 in state semifinals)

LEAGUE: Mid-Penn

ROSTER: Seniors: Amelia Beckman, Kyra Creasey, Ava Eyer, Mikaila Ganoe, Alexis Girven, Zoe Kunkle, Rachel Paulhamus, Rosie Zalonis. Juniors: Eva Nagel, Alexis Phillips. Juniors: Lula Dixon, Paige Dunham-Lester, Summer Fremberg, Hailey Ganoe, Adelynn Holmes, Riley McLaughlin, Kiki Woodward. Freshmen: Harleigh Miller, Aniston O'Neill, Quinn Ryder.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT

COACH: Marc Lovecchio

ASSISTANTS: Jane House, Tracey Knoebel, Chris Lovecchio

LAST YEAR: 12-5-3 (8-1-1 Mid-Penn) (def. Northumberland Chrisitan 7-0 in District 4 Class A quarterfinals; lost to Southern Columbia 1-0 in semifinals)

LEAGUE: Mid-Penn

ROSTER: Seniors: Kiley Persun, Maaddy Reidy, Kendall Smith. Juniors: Annika Harding, Kloey Persun, Cece Keeler, Ellie Gorsline, Carly Quimby, Coco Kline. Sophomores: Ayla Minier, Ivy Minier, Ryland Isenberg, Anna Oeler, Abby Holbrook. Freshmen: Gracie Hamman, Kaci Fraunfelter, Miri Shaw, Maddy Huff, Sophia Sartori, Italia Mangiardi, Skye Will, Juliana Laubach, Amelia Richards, Marla Falzone.

SULLIVAN COUNTY

COACH: Jody McCarty

ASSISTANTS: Rebekah Immel, Dana Pick

LAST YEAR: 6-12 (3-7 Mid-Penn)

LEAGUE: Mid-Penn

ROSTER: Seniors: AAnsley Baldwin, Bailey Smith, Grace Zelewicz. Juniors: Ryleigh Rider, Charley Insinger, Paighton Durland, Bailey Bogart. Sophomores: Ava Farrell, Sophia Livezey, Quinn Pennella, Juliana Price, Trinity Rohe. Freshmen: Payton Tillotson, Josephine Pennella, Addison Peterman, Anya McCoach, Finley McCarty, Connie Bogart-Rodriguez.

WILLIAMSPORT

COACH: Beckham Sibiski

ASSISTANTS: (not available)

LAST YEAR: 10-11-1 (5-3-1 HAC-I) (def. Hazleton 5-2 in District 2-4 Class AAAA semifinals; def. Wilkes-Barre 4-3 SO in championship; lost to Central Bucks South 9-0 in first round of PIAA Class AAAA playoffs)

LEAGUE: HAC-I

ROSTER: Seniors: Mylee Bennett, Breah Phillips, Hannah Baird. Juniors: Noel Veldhuis, Ava Butler. Sophomores: Mila Veldhuis, Kate Wiley, Ava Nichols, Alexis Michael, Emerson Pawlak, Cooper Matthews, Seyler Eiswerth. Freshmen: Ella Brelsford, Kahtryn Shultz, Ella Reicks, Charlotte Beiter, Aubrey Confer, Kennedi Spriggle, Maddi Schur, Brynli Carnevale, Doriann Morris, Eliyah Gallman, Valerie Beiter.

WARRIOR RUN

COACH: Rob Ryder

ASSISTANTS: Missi Margargle, Mike Shutt, Marcie Betz

LAST YEAR: 14-4-2 (5-1-1 HAC-II) (def. Montoursville 3-2 SO in District 4 Class AA quarterfinals; lost to Central Columbia 6-1 in semifinals)

LEAGUE: HAC-II

ROSTER: Seniors: Reese Bingman, Harper Gordiner, Aliyah Marquez, Natalie Hall, Sophie Dufrene, Ella Wertman, Scarlett Dunkleberger, Melody Gardiner, Chloe Bastian, Alexa Swartchick. Juniors: Megan Stahlnecker, Madeline Prokop, Haleigh Landis. Sophomores: Paizli Brouse, Ivy Margargle, Lacey Betz, Abigail Yevics, Alexis Snyder, Averie Kane, Regan Brouse, Julia Stahlnecker. Freshmen: Mary Hollenbach, Ainsley Anzulavich, Gia Noviello, Bailey Bearce, Abigail Bastian

WELLSBORO

COACH: Michael Reese

ASSISTANTS: Shawn Bryant, Jake Mitchell, Sam Mitchell, Billy Stokes, Caelyn Reese, Patti Mitchell

LAST YEAR: 11-8-1 (def. Williamson 2-1 in first round of District 4 Class A playoffs; lost to Hughesville 5-0 in quarterfinals)

LEAGUE: NTL

ROSTER: Seniors: Jaydn Dunlap, Kaelyn Peterson. Juniors: Ariel Acevedo, Carly Blackwell, Aileen Bowers, Kate Bryant, Rylee Coolidge, Lauren Gehman, Shaina Harrison, Luna Moyer, Rosa Sguera, Isla Twoey. Juniors: Olive Twoey, Haylie Smith, Shayla Hamblin. Freshmen: Brooke Coolidge, Hanna Smith, Ryleigh Sporer, Madi Zeyn.

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