Lady Rams prep for N-O soccer title defense

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Defending champion Roy-Hart has plenty of experience heading into the Niagara-Orleans League soccer season. In front are Addison Carr, Maria Trombley, Macie Sidor, Kaylie Churchill, Hannah Verholzer and Nina Santos. In back are Ruth Walker, Kennedy Boyle, Josephine Silsby, Felicity Kwaizer, Julia Verratti, Hannah Verratti, Maizie Ciliberto, Courtney Aquilina and Dylan Disinger. Missing is Haylie Hillburn.

Returning a large veteran group, Roy-Hart is prepping to defend its Niagara-Orleans League girls soccer title.

The Lady Rams went 8-1-1 in N-O action and 14-3-1 overall last fall.

Senior midfielder Kaylie Churchill, who earned N-O All-League first team honors last fall, along with second team honorees juniors midfielder/forward Maria Trombley and goalie Courtney Aquilina and Honorable Mention picks senior Macie Sidor and junior Addison Carr head the Lady Rams large veteran contingent.

That group also includes seniors Haylie Hillburn, Felicity Kwaizer, Hannah Verholzer, Dylan Disinger, Hannah Verratti and Nina Santos along with juniors Kennedy Boyle and Maizie Ciliberto and sophomores Ruth Walker, Josephine Silsby and Julia Verratti.

The Lady Rams graduation losses included first team All League selections Kaitlin Mettler and Allie Trombley and second team honoree Ali Ausman along with Alexis Capen and Emily Duewiger.

Mettler scored 36 goals.

“We lost some really good players but we have a real good group back,” said Coach Rich Jennings. “This group is dedicated and committed so we have high expectations.”

The Lady Rams will tune up for the September 12 N-O home opener against Medina with non league games against Lockport on Sept. 2 and Oakfield-Alabama on Sept. 9.