NORTHEAST WOMEN’S SOCCER EAGER FOR WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2023

NORFOLK, Neb.  – The Northeast Community College women's soccer team has become a staple in Region 11 as they have claimed the title of region and district champions each of the last three seasons. They know it won't be easy to return to the national tournament, but after being slotted at No. 8 in the NJCAA DII Women's Soccer Preseason Rankings, the 2023 Hawks are ready to write their own history.

Head Women's Soccer Coach Chad Miller will begin his eighth year of coaching the women's soccer squad when Northeast lines up at 10 a.m. Thursday in Livonia, Michigan in a ranked battle with No. 7 Schoolcraft College, and there's a lot that he already likes about his new squad.

"It's a fun group," Miller said. "They work really hard. Every single practice they put in the work. Typically, those first few days are always exciting and everyone's working hard, but they have done it the whole time even after the initial days. They are a great group. They support each other. That's a really positive thing."

After appearing at the national tournament each of the last three years it would be natural for the team and coaching staff to have ongoing discussions about what made those teams special, but Miller has implemented a new strategy this season.

"We actually made a point to not talk about it at all this year because the team changes so much from one year to the next," Miller said. "In the past we have always talked about it and it always kept getting brought up. This year we just made it a point that we aren't going to talk about it. We are a different team. We have to create our own legacy from here."

Aidyn Woodall (Castle Rock, Colo.) was given the distinction of First Team All-Region, placed on the ICCAC All-Tournament Team, was honored with the title of Second Team All-American and was named the Northeast Athletics 2022-23 Female Athlete of the Year all after her freshman campaign.

Woodall finished eighth in the NJCAA DII with 24 goals, first in assists with 25 and third with 73 points. There is little doubt that Miller is thrilled to have a player who has already had such a decorated career back for another go around with the Hawks.

"She's just incredible everywhere," Miller said. "On the pitch and off the pitch. She is such a role model for everyone. I think having her back is huge. It keeps our attack in place. It makes teams have to watch her, but we also have other players who can also attack. Aidyn just brings so much more than what you see on the surface. She is just an incredible person, player and student."

The Hawks return three other players who received postseason honors as Jessie Eijbersen (Arnhem, Netherlands) and Oceanna Solis (Brighton, Colo.) are back for their sophomore years after being named Secon Team All-Region in 2022. Starting goalie Hannah Thornell (Auckland, New Zealand) was also named Honorable Mention All-Region and joins an electrifying group of second-year players.

"Our goalkeeper Hannah Thornell should have a good year," Miller said. "She has solidified her position. Megan Heffernan (Cordangan, Ireland) is a returning outside back for us. She had a fantastic year for us last year and I expect her to do the same thing this year. Jessie Eijbersen had a great year last season with 21 goals. A lot of our defense is back. A good portion of our striking attack is back. I think all of them together is extremely helpful."

Miller knows that in the junior college ranks freshmen will always be looked upon to contribute and the 2023 class has already been impressive on the practice field.

"I've been really happy with our newcomers," Miller said. "Marleigh Leister (South Jordan, Utah) has been playing fantastic. Her quickness of play has been ideal. Tailia Sanders (Queensland, Australia) has really been fun to watch. She is very technical, quick and strong. Madison Province (Kearney, Neb.) is a center back who we picked up very late in the recruiting process has opened a lot of eyes for a lot of players with her play out of that back line. We have such a good freshmen class. I'm really happy with them to this point. They have really stood out."

The reality of sports is no one knows how an individual game or an entire season will play out, but according to Miller that is part of what makes this group special.

"I think what excites me is the unknown," Miller said. "It is also scary. The expectations of this team is something I don't know. We don't have any. When we went over goals for our season, no one talked about winning a national championship. They just talked about things that they can control rather than things that are out of their control."

Having a wholesome mindset of taking everything one day at a time is something that Miller believes will contribute to the success of his 2023 group.

"The excitement really is the unknown," Miller said. "We don't know how it's going to go. Is it going to be great? Is it going to be average? It's really cool because our expectations are very surfaced. We aren't dreaming of something that seems too big for us. Everyone seems to be in the present, and that is awesome."

There will be another difference in how Northeast will look on the bench this year in the form of their coaching staff. For the first time since their current run of success began, both Miller and assistant coach Lauren Hirsch will be joined on the sidelines by two new coaches. Both Ruth MacDonagh and Alexa Moreno are joining the Hawks for their first seasons on staff and Miller is extremely thrilled about incorporating new voices into the program.

"It's incredible for the players," Miller said. "There is so much that the players can learn from the coaches and what we can learn from the players. You can compile all of that together in multiple thoughts and different ways of thinking. It has already been showing up in practice. We are asking each other, 'Hey, what do you think about this?' Or, 'Hey, what do you think about that?' Everything is coming together so much better. It is so nice having multiple views of a particular thing. I think it will be huge for the girls."

When it comes down to it, what does Miller want to see at the conclusion of this season to consider the year successful?

"That's a tough one," Miller said. "The girls have built a strong culture here, so the success level is extremely high. Three years of going to the national tournament and three championships of the region and district. It's one of those things where people might say if you don't hit that mark, it is a failed season. I just don't think that the team looks at it that way. They obviously want to do the best that they can. I think it's more just waiting to see what happens at the end of the tunnel. If we have a winning season, I think that's success."

The first opportunity for local fans to see the three-time defending region and district champion Hawks will be at 12 p.m. Thursday, August 24 at Norfolk Veterans Memorial Field in Norfolk against Metropolitan Community College.

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