Medina girls soccer squad looks to keep building

Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Medina girls varsity soccer team is this group of returnees. In front are Regan Stacey, Destiny Satkowski, Emma Gardner and Martha Gardner. In back are Rowan Hamner, Kyla Leno, Morgan Roach, Madison Wickham and Hannah Adams.

Last fall when injuries forced some call ups from the JV ranks the Medina girls varsity soccer team headed into the stretch run and the sectionals with a very youthful squad which included no less than two sophomores, five freshmen and an eighth grader.

It proved to be a valuable learning experience and Coach Mike Lepkyj points to a second round sectional game against City Honors as a key turning point in helping that very youthful group turn the corner. In that quarterfinal contest, Medina dropped a narrow overtime decision to City Honors, a team which had blitzed the Mustangs 7-0 in the sectionals the year before.

“That was a turning point. In the sectionals they saw the potential they have ,” said Lepkyj. “We had a good run in the sectionals and we want to build from last year and we’re making good progress. This team has a goal to take that next step and the gap is closing. The key is to stay healthy.”

The Mustangs large contingent of returnees includes senior Regan Stacey (defender); juniors Emma Gardner (defender) and Madison Wickham (defender/goalie); sophomores Kyla Leno (midfielder), Martha Gardner (midfielder), Hannah Adams (forward), Morgan Roach (defender), Rowan Hamner (defender) and freshman Destiny Satkowski (forward).

Medina’s key losses to graduation include goalie Liz Meyer, forward Taylor Miller and midfielder Max Wright.

“We have to work hard in practice as that leads to success and they have brought into our system and work ethic,” said Lepkyj. “And the good speed we have sure helps.”

Medina will host Oakfield-Alabama in a non league game on Friday before opening the Niagara-Orleans League campaign at home against Roy-Hart on September 2.

The Mustangs went 4-10 in the league and 6-12 overall last fall.

Medina’s Schedule

Aug. 29 – Oakfield-Alabama, 3 p.m.
Sept. 2 – Roy-Hart ,4:30 p.m.
Sept. 5 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 9 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 – at CSAT, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 – at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 30 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 – Akron, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 – Depew, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 – CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
Oct. 9 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 – at Barker, 10 a.m.
Oct. 15 – at Albion, 6:30 p.m.