Grizzlies could be SL contenders
Taylor back in fold for girls soccer team
Wadsworth’s girls soccer team flirted with a league title in 2016 and will look to take the final step this year. Photo by GLEN RUTHERFORD/Glen Rutherford Photography
Wadsworth’s girls soccer team flirted with a Suburban League National Conference championship last season. The Grizzlies wound up a game short.
This year, they’ll make another run, but with a not-so-secret secret weapon. Senior Jordan Taylor, considered among the best players in the country and who committed to the University of North Carolina, returns after her freshman season three years ago.
That was the last time Taylor played for Wadsworth, as she elected to go the club route since then.
“Jordan being back adds another offense threat,” Grizzlies coach Paul Williford said. “Spreads our field of attack. We will be very dangerous in attack, which will make our defense stronger as well.
Taylor will be a welcome addition to a team that finished 11-7 overall a year ago and 5-2 in the SL National, but didn’t really lose a ton to graduation. Among those gone are defender Mikaela Flath, forward Alexis Knapp, forward McKenzie Keaton, midfielder Mariah Braman and midfielder Michaela Macko.
Among those returning are junior goalie Jordan Barnhart, senior midfielder Emily Arellano, senior midfielder Tori Baker, sophomore Taylor Leatherman, junior forward Elizabeth Talabac, sophomore midfielder Brooke Knapp, sophomore Hailey Barfuss, senior midfielder Maggie Sontagg, junior forward Mia Gambaccini, and senior Payton Brooks.
Newcomers include senior defender Abby Zembas, sophomore forward Katy Andrews, junior midfielder Teddi Farson, sophomore defender Ally Brugh, and of course Taylor.
Expectations should be pretty high for the Grizzlies, given their returning talent and the fact that Taylor has rejoined the squad. That said, the schedule will do them no favors.
The Grizzlies open on Aug. 23 at SL cross-divison rival Copley, which is typically one of the area’s top programs. They will get an early SL-National test on Sept. 6 at Stow before facing nationally-ranked Medina at home on Sept. 9. SL National favorite North Royalton visits Art Wright Stadium on Sept. 20.
All of that will be followed by a postseason that will bring all sorts of challenges. The Grizzlies are still in the Medina Division I District, which underwent major reshuffling in the offseason.
New to the district is North Royalton, along with nationally-ranked Strongsville. Brunswick and Medina, both nationally ranked as well, remain in the district, which has also seen 2015 Division II state champ Akron Hoban, a regional qualifier last season, added to the mix.
“Obviously with district being stronger it makes league that much more important,” Williford said. “We need to finish at the top to get a high seed. There are several teams capable of going far in the tournament.”
This year, they’ll make another run, but with a not-so-secret secret weapon. Senior Jordan Taylor, considered among the best players in the country and who committed to the University of North Carolina, returns after her freshman season three years ago.
That was the last time Taylor played for Wadsworth, as she elected to go the club route since then.
“Jordan being back adds another offense threat,” Grizzlies coach Paul Williford said. “Spreads our field of attack. We will be very dangerous in attack, which will make our defense stronger as well.
Taylor will be a welcome addition to a team that finished 11-7 overall a year ago and 5-2 in the SL National, but didn’t really lose a ton to graduation. Among those gone are defender Mikaela Flath, forward Alexis Knapp, forward McKenzie Keaton, midfielder Mariah Braman and midfielder Michaela Macko.
Among those returning are junior goalie Jordan Barnhart, senior midfielder Emily Arellano, senior midfielder Tori Baker, sophomore Taylor Leatherman, junior forward Elizabeth Talabac, sophomore midfielder Brooke Knapp, sophomore Hailey Barfuss, senior midfielder Maggie Sontagg, junior forward Mia Gambaccini, and senior Payton Brooks.
Newcomers include senior defender Abby Zembas, sophomore forward Katy Andrews, junior midfielder Teddi Farson, sophomore defender Ally Brugh, and of course Taylor.
Expectations should be pretty high for the Grizzlies, given their returning talent and the fact that Taylor has rejoined the squad. That said, the schedule will do them no favors.
The Grizzlies open on Aug. 23 at SL cross-divison rival Copley, which is typically one of the area’s top programs. They will get an early SL-National test on Sept. 6 at Stow before facing nationally-ranked Medina at home on Sept. 9. SL National favorite North Royalton visits Art Wright Stadium on Sept. 20.
All of that will be followed by a postseason that will bring all sorts of challenges. The Grizzlies are still in the Medina Division I District, which underwent major reshuffling in the offseason.
New to the district is North Royalton, along with nationally-ranked Strongsville. Brunswick and Medina, both nationally ranked as well, remain in the district, which has also seen 2015 Division II state champ Akron Hoban, a regional qualifier last season, added to the mix.
“Obviously with district being stronger it makes league that much more important,” Williford said. “We need to finish at the top to get a high seed. There are several teams capable of going far in the tournament.”