PLAYERS TO WATCH
(in alphabetical order)
Emery Aschenbrener, Sr., Bay: The Dayton commitment was All-Ohio in 2023 and is part of the Rockets’ trio of Division I commitments. A great ball distributor who can score, expect one final leap in production in her senior campaign.
Kamille Coleman, Sr., Amherst: Coleman had 30 goals and 13 assists for 73 points and first-team Greater Cleveland honors last season. This year, she’ll continue to work as a focal point in the attack in the chase for a conference crown.
Lizzie Fetterman, Sr., Bay: A first-team Division II Greater Cleveland pick and Navy commitment, the backliner has shown the ability to communicate and organize teammates to best fend off pressure in their final third of the field.
Rose Fontecchio, Sr., North Ridgeville: One of several 2025 commitments going to Division I schools (Longwood), the midfielder will look to guide the Rangers through the newly expanded OHSAA Division II format as far as they can go.
Izzy Fusco, Sr., Avon: Committing to Robert Morris, Fusco has been a key in the perfect 4-0-0 start the Eagles have had through Aug. 28. Her natural ability to play across the field and move the ball as a distributor is a boost in the middle.
Ella Henton, Sr., Westlake: Henton had a 28-4-60 sophom*ore campaign in 2022 before an injury cut her 2023 season short. With Jessie Meno’s graduation, Henton’s return to the Demons’ starting 11 is a boost for the scoring lost by Meno.
Tessa Knapp, Sr., Bay: Now a two-time All-American and the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year for the 2023 season, Knapp continues to shatter records on the daily. Entering the season, the Notre Dame commitment’s 148 career goals put her in the top 10 in state history. Falling short in consecutive state semifinals, Knapp and Bay are hoping 2024 will be their chance to break through for a title.
GK Caitlin Rose, Sr., Rocky River: Rose allowed only 12 goals last season and had 41 saves. Her natural ability and tenacity put her among the area’s top goalkeepers. She’ll be a critical part of Rocky River’s success if they run a senior-laden side back to Columbus in the playoffs.
Sophia Sindelar, Sr., Rocky River: Sweeping nearly every major state and local level award, the 2023 All-American posted a 59-19-137 G-A-P last season on a side that came up just short in the Division II state title game. Sindelar’s quickness and agility are nearly unmatched around the area, making her a threat to score at any moment.
Sydney Thomas, Fr., Avon: Putting a freshman like Thomas on this list over several deserving college-bound seniors speaks to her ability and talent. Through four games played as of Aug. 28, Thomas has a 5-2-12 GAP, second on the team in goals and plays with the poise and moxie of a veteran. Teammates and coaches have taken notice, and she’ll be an area staple for years to come.
Kylie Walter, So., Oberlin: Losing All-Ohioan Karen Regalado-Martinez stings, but Walter has been on fire to start 2024. The sophom*ore has 15 goals scored through the Phoenix’s Aug. 31 game against Wellington and entered the contest tied for 40th nationally in terms of points scored according to MaxPreps and top five in Ohio.
PENALTY KICKS
• Through two games played prior to Sept. 3, Bay’s Tessa Knapp has already put up five goals and five assists, with the five scores good putting her at 153 career goals. She now stands alone in ninth place on the OHSAA leaderboard, Knapp entered the season needing 44 goals to tie the 192 marker set by Jaclyn Dutton of St. Clairsville and 45 to break the record. Knapp now stands 40 goals from the top of the career leaderboard, with a career scoring average just over 49 goals in each of her three prior seasons. She may also be the only player to 200 career goals if luck is on her side.
• Oberlin did not have a single senior listed on its roster, with the majority of its lineup and reserves comprised of juniors and sophom*ores with starting experience. They could be a team to watch in Division V.
• The OHSAA divisional expansion featured a lot of movement, with some schools differing from their boys counterparts. Among the 22 girls sides, there are two Division I teams (Elyria and Lorain), four in Division II (Amherst, Avon, Olmsted Falls, North Ridgeville), six in Division III (North Olmsted, Avon Lake, Westlake, Rocky River, Bay, Midview), six in Division IV (Brookside, Elyria Catholic, Fairview, Firelands, Keystone, Vermilion) and four in Division V (Columbia, Oberlin, Open Door, Wellington).
• After not fielding a girls side in 2023, Columbia will have a girls team in 2024. Longtime assistant Blaze Pratt — working with Frank Washburn on both boys and girls staffs previously — was appointed to head coach for the girls team.
• The area has several new head coaches: Doug Buczak, Avon Lake, Scott Simpson, Bay, Blaze Pratt, Columbia, Faith Baracskai, Keystone, Julia Surgeont, Open Door, Kate Shank, Westlake, Todd Miller, Wellington.
• State runner-up Rocky River and state semifinalist Bay are among the top returning area sides, with both slotted into the new Division III this year — making for a potential storyline come playoffs after the two sides went to a shootout in the state semis. Avon has also started strong, with Oberlin off to a 5-1-0 run, too. There is a lot of quality and quantity for talent around the area, including several college-committed seniors who were squeezed off this list.
