News photo by Steve Jakubcin The Alpena High School girls soccer team poses together Wednesday for a team photo for the 2024 season. The Wildcats' season opens Thursday, and this year the players are hoping to bounce back and have a better overall performance than last year.
ALPENA — After a tough 2023 season, the Alpena High School girls soccer team is looking to bounce back in 2024.
Last season ended with eight consecutive losses, leaving plenty of room for improvement, but expectations are high as they have strong seniors and juniors.
The team finished 6-11-2 and 1-8-1 in the Big North Conference last season.
This season, the Wildcats' schedule continues to feature tough opponents throughout the year.
“It's hard to evaluate BNC this year because it's relative to each season,” Alpena coach Greg Spillan said. “Both teams in Traverse City are going to be good as usual and Cadillac really stepped up towards the end of the season. But I think we're going to compete with any team on the schedule.”
After the departure of the Wildcats' recent graduates, only three spots remain for their replacements.
Anna Woods, Eve Dragiewicz, and Megan Douby were all influential players, so it won't be easy to fill their respective roles.
“We will miss these three seniors, but the athletic quality and game knowledge of these new girls has already made a real impact in the preseason,” Spillane said. Ta.
The coach said his senior class of six girls stands out because of the amount of experience and talent on the team.
Reese Wisniewski will lead the way and could become the all-time leader in goals, assists and points in Alpena women's soccer history this season.
In addition to Winiewski, the Wildcats' senior class includes Laurel Alberts, Allison Borowski, Ezra Williams, Faith Henski and Annabelle LaCrosse.
“Reese Wisniewski and Laurel Alberts have looked very promising so far this spring. I expect them to be great leaders and contribute to this team,” Spillane said. said. “Alison Borowski spent a lot of time in the offseason fine-tuning her game, so expect that hard work and dedication to pay off.”
Alpena's junior class also looks strong with Isabelle Corcan, Faith Dragewicz, Natalie Machen, and Isabelle Risque.
Rounding out the team, the Wildcats have several underclassmen who plan to make an immediate impact once the season begins.
“Other than our seniors, Isabelle Corcan has come out this season and been a great leader, and she will have a huge impact on the outcome of our season,” Spillane said. “Like her, Faith Dragevich is also a great athlete who should have a significant impact. Sophie Kindt is the last athlete I would like to highlight because she is an attitude and a player who always wants to improve her game. is.”
