NTL GIRLS' SOCCER: WITH BIGGER NUMBERS NEB LOOKS FORWARD TO 2025 (2025-08-19)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
After last year things looked grim for the NEB girls’ soccer program. They graduated half their team of 13, and just getting on the field looked like it was going to be a challenge. Things have made a big turn coming into this fall, though, as their numbers have rebounded, giving themselves not only a bench, but also hope for the future.

“We’re very excited,” said coach Joel Howland. “We have some new faces this year. We’ve gained a few extra girls, we have some subs, finally, and they all have talent. I think it’ll be a magical year.”

There will definitely be some rebuilding going on as they lose key players Lillie Maynard and Becca VanDeMark in the middle, along with most of their defensive back.

“Our seniors last year we’re definitely very experienced pros,” said Jodelyn Brown. “Replacing them will be a great feat, but we have a lot of new talent coming in, and I’m excited to see what the season brings.”

Last year they buoyed by several seniors who decided to play soccer their senior year, and they’ve had that happen again this year. 

“They’re going to fill those girls’ shoes pretty well,” said Howland.

One big returnee is their keeper Leah Beebe. She’ll be out the first few weeks of the season with an injury, but when she’s healthy she’s one of the best keepers in the area.

“It’ll be fun,” Beebe said about hopping in goal for her fourth straight season. “They’ll be a good mix of girls.”

Howland is excited to have her back there for one more season, but also knows they’ll need to hold down the fort until they get her back.

“Maggie Chappell has accepted the role of stepping up and trying to fill her shoes,” Howland said. “It’s Leah’s jobs to train her and get ready for for that position.”

Up front they bring back junior Mallorie Maynard.

“I’ve just been working on my touches and ball control,” she said. “It’ll let me get up and down the field. We do a lot of passing and make sure we’re always saying something to each other.”

They’re hoping to increase the offensive production to take some pressure off the defense.

“We’re working on triangles up and down the field, making sure we’re talking back and forth and just on the same page,” said Maynard.

The biggest thing they hope they added numbers bring is consistency.

“Last year we saw burnout towards the middle of the year, and I’m hoping this year we can just bring the energy and all the work, and make it better,” Brown remarked.

After a down year last year the Panthers are hoping to get back to districts this coming season, which would mean they’d have to go .500, while also being competitive in the NTL.

“Troy and Athens are bar none on the the top of the pedestal,” said Howland. “We would like to go and compete with them. Overall, we’re hoping to finish over .500 and make our way into districts and try and to do something magical for these guys.”

On the pitch, though, they players are going to take it one game at a time.

“I think improving and setting small goals just so we don’t burn out in the middle of year so we can grow each game,” said Brown.

ROSTER (Grade)
Leah Beebe (12)
Jocelyn Brown (12)
Izzy Kapr (12)
Mallorie Maynard (11)
Katrina Russell (11)
Sara Gray (11)
MacKenzie Clark (11)
Stephanie Lambert (11)
Aurelia Kolesar (11)
Kara Dughi (11)
Anyeli Reyes (11)
Khloe Greene (10)
Emma Warren (10)
Julia Keeney (9)
Maggie Chappel (9)
Delsi Ramirez (9)

SCHEDULE
Aug. 26 at Williamson, 4 p.m.
Aug. 28 at Wyalusing, 4 p.m.
Sep. 3 vs NPM, 4 p.m.
Sep. 5 vs Mountain View, 4:15 p.m.
Sep. 6 at Towanda, 10 a.m.
Sep. 9 at Wellsboro, 5:30 p.m.
Sep. 13 hosts NEB Tournament
Sep. 16 at Troy, 4 p.m.
Sep. 18 vs Athens, 4 p.m.
Sep. 20 at Meadowbrook, noon
Sep. 23 vs Wellsboro, 4 p.m.
Sep. 25 at NPM, 4 p.m.
Sep. 27 at Warrior Run, 11 a.m.
Sep. 30 vs Wyalusing, 4 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs Troy, 4 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Blue Ridge, 10 a.m.