By Cort Reynolds
Optimistic second-year Ada varsity girls soccer head coach A.J. Wahlie is poised for a potential breakthrough season as 11 letter winners and nine starters return to the varsity program.
"If you shoot for the stars you will land on the moon," said Wahlie of the team's prospects this fall. "There is no reason to think we can't compete with anybody on our schedule."
The Ada girls finished 4-12 overall last season after losing to powerhouse Mansfield Christian in the sectionals. The Lady Bulldogs went 2-4-0 in Northwest Conference play last fall to finish fifth out of seven teams.
The Bulldogs will have to replace graduated multi-time all-league standout Brenna Hissong. But five seniors and a talented class of five sophomores will help the program continue its upward trend.
"Even though we have a lot of returning letter winners," said Wahlie, "we have eight or nine positions open. We want to promote versatility and the ability to adapt depending on our opponents.
"The girls will have to accept their roles and with our interchangeable parts, be ready to match up with anyone we play each match."
Feisty senior Timber Blankenship is back to full strength after missing part of last season recovering from a basketball knee injury. She is expected to be one of the team's top offensive weapons.
Blankenship was named honorable mention All-NWC as a sophomore.
"Timber has recovered well and we are excited to have her back," said Wahlie. "She is a fiery athlete who will give 100 percent effort."
Sophomore Ella Marshall returns at the center midfield position after earning first team All-NWC, and All-NCOSA honors last fall.
"We expect big things from Ella," the coach noted. "She has shown a lot of growth and has the ability to lead the program. She is probably our top returning scorer."
Athletic senior Olivia Green also returns as a starter at the crucial goalkeeper position. "She is in her second year as a starter," said Wahlie.
"Olivia is prettty athletic and works well with our goalkeeping coach Mike Hall. She made a ton of progress last year working with him."
Senior wide midfielder Lauren Mullins also returns to the starting fold, as does letter-winning classmate Olivia Thomas. Mullins earned honorable mention NCOSA notice in 2020.
Senior defender Hailey Robirds is another experienced letter winner who returns to the Ada lineup.
Junior defender Ella Badertscher, senior midfielder Julia Kamatali, sophomore Karmen Hall, strong-legged sophomore Kiah Hefner and soph Kailey Wagner round out the returning letter winners.
Speedy sophomore newcomer Olivia Burkhart is expected to make a key contribution. "Olivia is incredibly athletic and quick," noted Wahlie. "We need to use her strengths to our advantage."
Senior Julia Kamatali, sophomore Jenna Rodrigues and freshmen Karley Wagner and Jillian Allison complete the 15-player varsity roster.
"Our main goal is to improve defensively, that is our biggest aim," Wahlie noted. "We gave up too many goals last year. We also have to find a way to score more goals.
"All 15 girls need to improve on their first touches with the ball," he added.
"Without a doubt our work rate, determination and grit are our strengths," he observed. "If we bring those things each time out, we will be in every game."
Wahlie expects defending NWC champion Bluffton (6-0-0) to be the league favorite again. "They have the returning league Player of the Year in Reagan Mittendorf," Wahlie noted. "The NWC is a balanced league.
"Crestview (2-2-1) looks good, Columbus Grove was good (2nd, 4-1-1) and teams like Delphos Jefferson (2-3-1) and others have new coaches," he continued.
"Our goal is to compete for the top of the league and be the last team standing."
Ada also competes in the rugged North Cental Ohio Soccer Association. "The NCOSA is probably the top Div. III girls soccer league in the state," Wahlie offered. "Liberty-Benton (defending champon) is always tops, and Van Buren is good.
"Cory-Rawson, Riverdale, Upper Sanduksy are other good teams," he added. Ada finished 1-4 in NCOSA action last season.
Wahlie noted that the team added a 17th regular season charity game to benefit local food pantries.
Ada kicks off its season Aug. 21 at NCOSA foe Tiffin. The Lady Bulldogs host MAC foe Coldwater August 26 in the home opener.
The NWC lidlifter is at backyard rival Allen East August 30. The regular season finale is Oct. 14 at home vs. Miller City.
Wahlie, a 2021 Ohio Northern University law graduate, competed at Bethany College (West Va.) after playing for Wapakoneta High School.
"I am excited for the season," Wahlie summed up. "With our roster, the players who are the most versatile will see the most playing time."
Ada girls soccer at a glance
2020 record: 4-12, 2-4-0 NWC (5th of 7), 1-4 NCOSA (5th/6)
Head coach: A.J. Wahlie, 2nd year
Letter winners back/lost: 11/3
Starters back/lost: 9/2
Top returnees: Sr. Timber Blankenship, Sr. Hailey Robirds, Sr. Lauren Mullins, Sr. Olivia Green, Jr. Ella Badertscher, So. Ella Marshall, So. Karmen Wall, Sr. Olivia Thomas, So. Kiah Hefner.
Key newcomer: So. Olivia Burkhart.
