NTL GIRLS' SOCCER: NEB LOOKS TO TURN THE PAGE IN 2024 (2024-08-20)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
It will be a different year for Northeast Bradford girls’ soccer as they said good-bye to 4-year standout Mel Shumway last season. She was three players in one, and filling that void will be difficult for the young Panthers.

“It’s definitely a big responsibility,” said senior Lillie Maynard. “It’s going to be kind of hard, but we definitely have some girls returning, girls that haven’t played in a couple of years, and I think they can help.”

One big returnee is keeper Leah Beebe, who was one of the best goalies in the NTL last season.

“It’s outstanding,” said first year coach Joel Howland. “We put her in the goal yesterday and it was like she never stepped out of it, she was lights out.”

With a new defense in front of her Beebe knows she’ll have to be at her best to keep NEB competitive.

“I just want to keep doing the same thing I did last year, and maybe get a little bit better,” she said. “I’m just trying to improve on the little things.”

Offensively, Maynard is hoping to fill in Shumway’s playmaking skills in the middle.

“I’m going to try some of her offensive skills,” she said. 

Other players they’re looking to step up will be Becca VandeMark, Katrina Russell, and Mallorie Maynard.

“Becca VandeMark coming back after two years off, it’s like she never left,” said Howland. “Her ball control and leadership skills are top tier.”

As for team goals, the Panthers are really looking to improve upon last year’s four win season. Despite the turnover and new head coach Howland thinks districts is attainable.

“We talked as a team on goals, and our main goal is we’re shooting for districts,” he said.

Right now, though, they’re focusing on keeping things positive.

“I really just think going out there, and having fun, and winning as many as we can,” Maynard said.

Still, with a robust group of newcomers they think this squad has a lot of potential.

“It’ll be exciting to see what we can do,” Beebe stated.

ROSTER

Lillie Maynard

Becca VandeMark

Leah Beebe

Lilah Hughes

Jocelyn Brown

Mallorie Maynard

Katrina Russell

Sarah Gray

Ava Lambert

MacKenzie Clark

Khloe Green

Emma Warren

Maggie Gray

Stephanie Lambert

McKenna Callear

SCHEDULE

Aug. 27 vs Williamson, 4 p.m.

Aug. 29 vs Wyalusing, 4 p.m.

Sep. 4 at NPM, 4 p.m.

Sep. 6 at Mountain View, 4:15 p.m.

Sep. 7 vs Towanda, 10 a.m.

Sep. 10 at Sullivan County, 4 p.m.

Sep. 11 vs Wellsboro, 4 p.m.

Sep. 14 NEB hosts Tournament, 10 a.m.

Sep. 17 vs Troy, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Athens, 5:30 p.m.

Sep. 21 vs Meadowbrook, noon

Sep. 24 at Wellsboro, 5:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 vs NPM, 4 p.m.

Sep. 28 vs Warrior Run, noon

Oct. 1 at Wyalusing, 4 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Troy, 4 p.m.

Oct. 5 at Sullivan County, 11 a.m.

Oct. 9 at Towanda, 6 p.m.

Print Friendly Version