Northern Tier Sports Report

Athens Canton NEB Sayre Towanda Troy Wyalusing Youth College Preview/Wrap-Up Opinion

NTL GIRLS' SOCCER: TOWANDA LOOKING FOR YOUTH TO STEP UP IN 2024 (2024-08-20)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
Towanda girls’ soccer may be small in number this year but they’re confident coming off a district qualifying season as they gear up for the 2024 campaign.

“Last year, as a first year coach, there was some learning curves,” said coach Jacob McGuire. “I think the way we finished - we finished really strong - going into this year I’m excited to see a lot of growth throughout the year with our players, and see them grow as a team.”

They return last year’s NTL Player of the Year in Anna Dunn, who led the league in goals scored.

“It’s going to be a rebuilding year because we lost so many of our core group, all the seniors, but I think all the girls are really going to step up,” she said. “We only have one freshman, but I think a lot of potential.”

Dunn is also the only senior in the group as the team is made up of mostly juniors and sophomores. McGuire is hoping that she’ll be able to mentor the underclassmen.

“Anna’s phenomenal,” McGuire remarked. “Her work ethic is second to none, she has a very bright future ahead in soccer, this year in particular. We’re looking to see her continue to grow as a leader for the team. It’s a pretty young squad, so to take them under her wing, kind of show them what it means to be a member of the Towanda soccer team.”

Part of that role will be finding out what the team needs from her this year - whether she’s going to continue to look to score, or work to get others involved.

“We we get further into the season I’ll get more of a feel of what it’s going to be like,” she said. “I’m hoping to continue scoring. I want to try and get the school record, that’s one of my goals.”

Two juniors looking to step up are Kennedy Heyer and Maggie Glantz. Both played roles on the team last year, and will have bigger shoes to fill this season.

“I think we have a lot of team chemistry from last year coming into this year,” Heyer remarked. “We know that what we did last year we can carry on this year.”

She believes being positive is key to keeping that chemistry in tact.

“It improves everyone’s attitude on the field, and off,” she said. “Having a good bond with my team just brings us all closer, and I think leads us further.”

Glantz is hoping to help hold down the fort on defense.

“It’s more my strong suit,” she said. “I find it easier than playing offense, but I also want to take on a more leadership role this year.”

For McGuire, how fast the sophomores come on will likely determine how successful they are this season.

“They got a lot of experience last year, so we’ll be looking to get a lot out of them, particularly on defense,” he said.

Trying to get back to .500 won’t be easy as the NTL has few weak teams this year.

“I just want us to do our best,” Glantz said. “We may not be as good as we were last year, but do as best as we can, and give 110-percent.”

ROSTER

Anna Dunn

Clara Glantz

Maggie Glantz

Kennedy Heyer

Marin Maynard