COTTAGE GROVE LIONS
■ Head coach: Kalli Schwehr, 2nd year, 2-11-0 overall
■ 2022 season: 2-11-0, ranked #29, missed playoffs
Schedule
8/30 Non-league vs. W. Christian, 6:30 p.m.
9/5 Non-league @ Philomath, 4 p.m.
9/7 Non-league @ Stayton, 6 p.m.
9/9 Non-league vs. Cascade, 4 p.m.
9/11 Non-league vs. Phoenix, TBD
9/13 Non-league @ Klamath Union, 6 p.m.
9/20 @ Marshfield, 6 p.m.
9/25 vs. North Bend, TBD
9/28 @ Junction City, 5 p.m.
10/2 vs. Marist Catholic, TBD
10/9 vs. Marshfield, 6 p.m.
10/11 @ North Bend, 6 p.m.
10/15 vs. Junction City, 7 p.m.
10/18 @ Marist, 4:30 p.m.
Top returners
■ Summer Lebow, senior, #15, defender, 2022 2nd-team all-league. Coach says: “Top defender that anchors teams back line.”
■ Emmerson Bickford, sophomore, #30, midfielder. Coach: “Improved player who can support team on offense and defense.”
■ Rylan Leach, junior, #1, defender/midfielder. Coach: “Versatile player who can take care of multiple positions.”
Notable newcomer
■ Autumn Leach, freshman. Coach: “New to the program and has shown lots of promise as a freshman.”
Team strengths
■ Unity
■ Communication
■ Hard work
Top opponents
■ Marist: Oct. 2 (home), Oct. 18 (away)
■ Marshfield: Sept. 20 (away), Oct. 9 (home)
■ North Bend: Sept. 25 (home), Oct. 11 (away)
CRESWELL BULLDOGS
■ Head coach: Dan Smathers, 5th year, 8-38-4 overall
■ 2022 season: 5-9-1, ranked #25, missed playoffs
Schedule
8/29 Non-league vs. Dayton, 1 p.m.
9/5 vs. Sisters, 4:30 p.m.
9/7 vs. Siuslaw, 4:30 p.m.
9/12 vs. Central Linn, 4:30 p.m.
9/14 vs. Pleasant Hill, 4:30 p.m.
9/19 @ La Pine, 4:30 p.m.
9/21 @ Elmira, 4:30 p.m.
9/26 @ Santiam Christian, 6 p.m.
9/28 @ Sisters, 4 p.m.
10/3 @ Siuslaw, 6:30 p.m.
10/5 @ Central Linn, 4:30 p.m.
10/10 @ Pleasant Hill, 6 p.m.
10/12 vs. La Pine, 4:30 p.m.
10/17 vs. Elmira, 4:30 p.m.
10/19 vs. Santiam Christian, 4:30 p.m.
Top returners
■ Dakota Carson, senior, 2022 1st Team All-League
■ Tailey Carson, senior, 2022 t-lead in goals on team
■ Chloe Halgren, senior, 2022 2nd Team All-League
■ Paige Gwaltney, senior, 2022 one of team’s top defenders
Notable newcomers
■ Mila Nguyen and Jordan Lee, freshman
Returning starters: 7
Team strengths
■ Experience
■ Desire
■ Cohesion
Top opponents
■ Sisters: Sept. 5 (home), Sept. 28 (away)
■ Pleasant Hill: Sept. 14 (home), Oct. 10 (away)
■ Central Linn: Sept. 12 (home), Oct. 5 (away)
■ Senior Night: Oct. 19 vs. Santiam Christian
PLEASANT HILL BILLIES
■ Head coach: Chris Hammond, 3rd year, 21-5-3 overall
■ 2022 season: 10-2-3, ranked #10, lost in 2nd round of playoffs to #7 Riverdale
Schedule
8/29 Non-league vs. North Bend, 6 p.m.
9/5 League @ La Pine, 4:30 p.m.
9/7 League vs. Sisters, 6 p.m.
9/12 League vs. Santiam Christian, 5 p.m.
9/14 League @ Creswell, 4:30 p.m.
9/19 League @ Siuslaw, 6:30 p.m.
9/21 League vs. Central Linn, 5 p.m.
9/26 League vs. Elmira, 4:30 p.m.
9/28 League vs. La Pine, 4:30 p.m.
10/3 League @ Sisters, 6 p.m.
10/5 League @ Santiam Christian, 6 p.m.
10/10 League vs. Creswell, 6 p.m.
10/12 League vs. Siuslaw, 4:30 p.m.
10/17 League @ Central Linn, 4:30 p.m.
10/19 League @ Elmira, 4:30 p.m.
Top returners
■ Tressa Geyer, senior, #16, forward, 2022 2nd-team all-league. Coach says: “Led the teams in goals scored for the last two seasons. Nickname is ‘Shep’ … Co-captain.”
■ Dakota Hyland, senior, #18, mid-fileder/winger, 2022 honorable mention all-league, State 400-meter champion. Coach: “Leader on and off the pitch. The glue of the team.”
■ Isabel “Izzy” Anderson, senior, #13, defender, third year starting at left defensive back. Coach: “The foundation of the defense. Is tough as nails. Team nickname is ‘Bone crusher.’ ”
■ Isabael Hammond-Mendez and Ashlynn Johnson, sophomores. Coach: “Joined the team this year, will contribute heavily and could play multiple positions across the pitch.”
■ Roster: 18 varsity players and 8 returning starters
Team strengths
■ Seniors on the roster
■ Experience: Team who knows what it takes to win
Top opponents
■ Sisters: Sept. 7 (home), Oct. 3 (away)
■ Central Linn: Sept. 21 (home), Oct. 17 (away)
■ Santiam Christian: Sept. 12 (home), Oct. 5 (away)
■ Homecoming/senior night game: Oct. 12 vs. Siuslaw 4:30pm
SPRINGFIELD MILLERS
Head coach: Alyssa Hinojosa, 1st year
2022 season: 9-6-1, ranked #6, lost in 1st round to La Salle Prep
Schedule
8/25 Non-league vs. Ridgeview, 4 p.m.
8/29 Non-league @ West Albany, 7 p.m.
8/31 Non-league vs. Silverton, 4 p.m.
9/5 Non-league @ Crescent Valley, 7 p.m.
9/7 Non-league @ Marist, 6:30 p.m.
9/14 Non-league @ Corvallis, 4 p.m.
9/26 Non-league vs. Churchill, 6 p.m.
10/03 Non-league @ N. Eugene, 6 p.m.
10/07 vs. Eagle Point, 3 p.m.
10/10 vs. Thurston, 4 p.m.
10/17 @ Churchill, 6 p.m.
10/21 @ Crater, 1 p.m.
10/24 vs. North Eugene, 4 p.m.
10/28 @ Ashland, 5 p.m.
Top returner
■ Elidia Cervantes-Carlos, junior, 2022 1st-team all-league
Top opponents
■ Cresent Valley: Sept. 5 (away)
■ Marist: Sept. 7 (away)
■ Thurston: Oct. 10 (home)
THURSTON COLTS
■ Head coach: Benton Canaga, 6th year, 37-25-9 overall
■ 2022 season: 13-3-0, ranked #2, lost in QF’s to #7 Wilsonville
■ State championships: 1 (2012)
Schedule
8/29 Non-league @ Woodburn, 6:30 p.m.
9/1 Non-league @ Caldera, 4 p.m.
9/7 Non-league vs. Silverton, 6:30 p.m.
9/12 Non-league @ Ridgeview, 4:30 p.m.
9/15 Non-league @ West Salem, 7 p.m.
9/18 Non-league @ West Albany, 7 p.m.
9/21 Non-league @ Marist, 6:30 p.m.
9/23 Non-league vs. Crescent Vall., 1 p.m.
10/4 Non-league @ Canby, 7:30 p.m.
10/10 @ Springfield, 4 p.m.
10/14 @ Eagle Point, 3 p.m.
10/17 vs. North Eugene, 4 p.m.
10/21 @ Ashland, 1 p.m.
10/24 vs. Churchill, 4 p.m.
10/28 vs. Crater, 1 p.m.
Top returners
■ Macy Taylor, junior, 2022 2nd-team all-league
■ Gabriella Montes, junior, 2022 2nd Team All-League
Notable newcomer
■ Zoe Dilts, freshman midfielder
Team strengths
■ Speed
■ Defense
■ Team chemistry
Top opponents
■ Caldera: Sept. 1 (away)
■ Crescent Valley: Sept. 23 (home)
■ West Salem: Sept. 15 (away)
Pierre’s take
■ Replacing key seniors is the name of the game for our area girls soccer teams. Thurston lost six senior starters, including Midwestern League player of the year Abby Fitzpatrick. Alyssa Hinojosa takes over at Springfield, a team that lost 10 seniors, including 1st-team all-leaguer Tamerra Cervantes-Carlos. Over at Pleasant Hill, the Billies lost all four captains after a 10-2-3 season that ended in the second round of the playoffs.
