LAKEVILLE - With six seniors back and 11 letterwinners overall, the LaVille girls soccer program is anxious to get the 2024 season started. Mackena Deason, Brooke Edison, Ava Barrett-Heaton, Mikalah Kuskye, Sydney Miller, and Raegan Mitchell will be looked to for their experience and leadership. "The senior class is experienced and driven to succeed," said LaVille head coach Kevin Christy, who returns for his second stint as the Lancer boss. "They have done a really great job teaching and leading workouts." Kuskye has been the leading scorer the last couple of years for the Lancers, but Christy feels his team features a group of talented players on both sides of the ball. "There are a lot of talented players on this team, in all areas of the field," said Christy, who returns after a 2-year stint in 2020 and 2021. "Leading goal scorers, assist leaders or save leaders won't be anything we will be concerned with this season. We will play unselfish soccer and maximize everyone's strengths to the best of our ability. Collectively these seniors have great soccer ability and IQ, and have been great leaders. We will work to keep possession of the ball and set the pace of games. We will move as a unit on offense and recover together to play defense." LaVille outscored its opponent 32-19 a year ag0 and included three ties. LHS finished 6-1-3 in matches decided by two goals or less. With his return to the sideline, Christy appreciates how the team has transitioned to new players and a new voice to lead Lancer soccer. "The girls have all had great attitudes," explained Christy. "They have worked hard, they believe in their teammates, and are eager to get the season started. (Assistant) Coach (Angie) Dunlap and (assistant) Coach (Zak) Tyler have done a great job maintaining a solid foundation for these girls in this transition period. Practices have had very high energy and a really fast pace. The seniors have done a great job getting the season off to a great start." Along with the 11 letterwinners, the Lancers welcome junior Claire Wainscott, along with freshmen Mady Geraghty and Sydney Williams. After spending the last few years without enough Hoosier North Athletic Conference teams for girls soccer, the LaVille gals will now be able to play for conference honors. At the beginning of the 2024-25 year, the Lancers joined the Indiana Northern State Conference. This season, Bremen, Jimtown, John Glenn, and Tippecanoe Valley, along with LaVille will compete in the INSC. The Lancers will also host the INSC Championships at Newton Park on September 28. The Lancer ladies will also defend their Manchester Invitational title on August 31. LaVille opens with Logansport at 9 a.m. on the west field. Western will face the host Squires, also at 9 a.m. on the east field. Both championship (east field) and consolation (west field) will be played at 11:15 a.m. Admission will be $8. In addition to the new conference, LaVille will also participate in the Bethany Christian Invitational on September 14. The Lancers will face the host Bruins at 10 a.m., then play Illiana Christian at 2 p.m. at Bethany Christian High School in Goshen, IN. More information will follow in the coming days. LaVille will open the season on August 21 at Westville. The match is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET. * * * * * LAVILLE GIRLS SOCCER Head Coach: Kevin Christy (12-15-1 in 3rd season) Assistant Coaches: Angela Dunlap, Zak Tyler 2023 Record: 8-5-3 Letterwinners Lost: 4 (Rylie Aschenbrenner, London Kwiatkowski, Anna Medina, Porsha Coffin) Letterwinners Returning (11): Seniors - Mackena Deason, Brooke Edison, Ava Barrett-Heaton, Mikalah Kuskye, Sydney Miller, Raegan Mitchell. Juniors - Macie Edwards, Kelsi Andert. Sophomores - Kenzie Kahle, Denni Markin, Morgan Schmidt. Newcomers: Junior - Claire Wainscott. Freshman - Mady Geraghty, Sydney Williams. Opener: August 21 at Westville, 5:30 p.m.