Northville girls’ soccer coach Doug Hammons talks with his team during practice on Thursday.
NORTHVILLE — After a season that saw it struggle to score goals, the Northville girls’ soccer team has been focused on finishing during the preseason.
The Falcons scored 32 goals last season, but 14 of those came in 7-0 victories over Mekeel Christian Academy and North Warren.
Northville finished last season with a 7-9-1 overall record and was shut out in seven of its nine losses. The Falcons saw their season come to an end with a 2-1 loss to eventual champion Oppenheim-Ephratah/St. Johnsville in the Section II Class D semifinals.
“We struggled with taking care of the ball and finishing last year,” Northville coach Doug Hammons said. “We need to finish the ball. It’s something we’ve really focused on in the preseason.”
Northville heads into the season with healthy numbers, something that can’t be said for several programs in the area.
“We’ve got 32 players in total between the varsity and junior varsity teams,” Hammons said. “I’m really happy about that.”
The Falcons’ roster includes seniors Elizabeth Flickinger, Shaylee Snedeker, Sophia Reidell, Ciara Thompson, Kaelin Thompson, Ryann Morgan and Rachel Williams.
Reidell, Ciara Thompson, Kaelin Thompson and Morgan will be team captains this season, along with freshman Leah Valovic, who played for Northville as an eighth-grader.
“This group of seniors has been with me for a long time,” Hammons said.
The roster also includes juniors Adrianna VanAllen, Savannah Riggi, Caitlin Clapper and Gretchen Forsey as well as sophomores Hailey Monroe, Lily Klippel and Ahmya Thompkins.
“We’ve got a lot of young talent on this team,” Hammons said. “We’re senior heavy but it will give the younger players a chance to get a feel for playing at the varsity level.”
Nicole Valovic will be Hammons’ varsity assistant this season, while Hillary Habla (junior varsity) and Patty Kallen (modified) will be part of the coaching staff.
Northville will take part in a scrimmage at Amsterdam on Tuesday.
“We’re starting to figure out how we should play and we’re starting to play that way,” Hammons said. “I think the scrimmages will really help us figure things out even more.”
The Falcons are slated to open their season with a non-league contest at Amsterdam on Sept. Northville will host Middleburgh on Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. 7 in its home and Western Athletic Conference opener at 4:30 pm
The Falcons will also take part in the New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports Hall of Fame Tournament on Sept. 10 and 11, facing Parishville-Hopkinton and Poland.
“We have a tough schedule,” Hammons said. “We’re excited to get going. The girls have been real positive and they’re excited.”