LAKEVILLE - With a total of 13 letterwinner returning on the field, LaVille is ready to improve on a 6-8-2 record from 2022. A year ago LHS lost four matches by one or two goals and finished with two ties. Now, the LaVille upperclassmen look to help the girls soccer team improve in 2023 - on offense and defense. "On defense we need to communicate better and do a better job of pressuring the ball and making teams earn their goals," said LaVille assistant coach Angie Dunlap. "On offense we need to capitalize on our attacks with quality shots." Among those letterwinners is junior Mikalah Kuskye, who led the team with 17 goals a year ago. Dunlap says that junior Mackena Deason will also be looked to take up some of the scoring. "Kuskye is a key returning player that plays an important role controlling our midfield both on the defensive and offensive end," explained Dunlap. "She was our leading scorer the 2022 season. We are also looking to Makenna Deason to make an impact on the offensive side using her speed and talent to finish shots up top for us." In the senior class, Dunlap says that the three seniors are key for the 2023 edition of Lancer Soccer. "Key returners are the 3 seniors," said Dunlap. "They have been pivotal to the program since they were freshmen. London (Kwiatkowski) can play anywhere on the field. She is a solid player who brings a lot of energy to our game with her aggressiveness. Anna Mediha has been a key player on our back line with her solid play. Rylie Aschenbrenner leads our defense with her smart, aggressive play in the middle of our back line defense, clearing anything out that comes close to our goal." LaVille will miss Lauren Edison, Myra Garcia, Heaylyn Kwiatkowski, and Maria Sheridan that have departed due to graduation. "We lost a very smart, hard working back defender in Lauren Edison," said Dunlap. "Our goal keeper for the last four years - Heaylyn Kwiatkowski - is a key loss for our defense as well. Myra Garcia and Maria Sheridan’s experience will be greatly missed on the pitch." Also back are a pack of juniors that look to make their impact in 2023. "Junior Ava Barrett-Heaton is taking on a new role as an outside back this year and is adjusting well to her new position," explained Dunlap. "Junior Reagan Mitchell and Sophomore Macie Edwards are controlling the outside midfield positions and doing a great job keeping our team’s spacing. Junior Brooke Edison has a new role as a defensive mid/ stopper which fits her perfectly because of the energy she brings with her play. Junior Hailey Andert will fill in the goalie spot when needed as well as on the field." And, according to Dunlap, freshman Morgan Schmidt and Denni Markin have earned starting roles. Markin in goal and Schmidt as an outside defender. "Markin has big shoes to fill, but has shown she can compete at the varsity level with her athleticism and attitude," said Dunlap. When asked what the biggest challenge will be for the 2023 season, Dunlap said, "Our biggest challenge will be trusting each other on the field, keeping our shape on the field and being able to move off the ball to allow us to connect passes and play smarter soccer." Along with senior Porsha Coffin, who played a role as team manager in 2022, another newcomer looking to contribute is freshman Kenzie Kahle. The next match for LaVille will be against North Miami on Sept. 6. Start time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Newton Park. LAVILLE GIRLS SOCCER Coach: Brandon Shafer (6-8-2 in second season) Assistant: Angie Dunlap 2022 Overall Record: 6-8-2 Letterwinners Lost: 4 - Lauren Edison, Myra Garcia, Heaylyn Kwiatkowski, Maria Sheridan Letterwinners Returning: 13 - Seniors - Rylie Aschenbrenner, London Kwiatkowski, Anna Medina. Juniors - Ava Barrett-Heaton, Haley Andert, Mackena Deason, Brooke Edison, Mikalah Kuskye, Sydnee Miller, Reagan Mitchell Sophomores - Kelsi Andert, Kylah Bell, Macie Edwards Newcomers: 4 - Senior - Porsha Coffin. Freshman - Kenzie Kahle, Denni Markin, Morgan Schmidt Next Match: v. North Miami Sept. 6, 5:30 p.m. at Newton Park