By TIM BIRNEYTioga County Sports Report
SPENCER / CANDOR — Second-year SVEC girls soccer Michael Leljedal sees things coming together for the Eagles as the 2025 season is set to begin.
"We're quite happy with the state of the team right now," said Leljedal. "The girls have come into practice every single day with the right attitude and mindset and we're already seeing things come together.
"There's a lot of excitement going on and it's only a matter of time before that first game kicks off," said Leljedal.
Allie Lyon will start at forward / center-attacking mid for the Eagles, with Meradyth Stouffer at center-defensive mid, Emma Fey at outside mid, Melanie Stevens at center-mid / outside-mid, and Ally Mesick at outside-mid / center-attacking mid.
Shawna Conklin will anchor the defense at center-back, with Lindsey Morse also at center-back, and Lily Horton and Kaylyn Gregory at the outside backs.
Sophia Chapman, Alaina Yeier, Kelci Wright, Elizabeth Holbrooks, and Cyan Davis will also vie for time.
Wright is currently at keeper for the Eagles, but that spot is still in flux, said Leljedal.
"Right now my biggest concern is the most circular position, goalie," said Leljedal. "We've had a couple girls step up and offer their services for the season.
"We're working on who the best fit is, but we'll have someone ready by game 1 no question," he added.
Leljedal is looking for a talented group of travel players to lead the Eagles.
"Our strength is undoubtedly the talent of our top four or five girls," he said. "Our team is going to be led by girls who really care about the game and have put the work in to become talented players leading us.
"Allie Lyon, Meradyth Stouffer and Shawna Conklin are who we're looking at to lead the team both on and off the pitch this year.
"I can confidently say Allie has the best shot of any player I've seen before, she will be scoring a lot," said Leljedal. "
Meradyth Stouffer will undoubtedly help control our midfield and make magic happen while scoring goals and dishing out assists," noted Leljedal.
"And, Shawna Conklin is going to control that defense and be the shutdown player she is," he added.
The Eagles have a handful of newcomers in Fey, Davis, Mesick, and Elizabeth Holbrooks, but Fey is the one who could make an impact this year.
"Emma Fey is someone I'm really excited about," said Leljedal. "She's had experience growing up in soccer, but took a couple years off.
"She's back this year and is very talented and she will help us immensely," he added.
Leljedal is looking for "special things" in 2025.
"Coach (Aaron) Decker and I have been really stressing that we have the talent, without question, to do some special things this year.
"Last year. we made Sectionals for the first time in a while, so we're looking to do that again at a higher seed, and see how far we can advance," said Leljedal.
"In IAC there are tough teams, but I think the girls can push themselves to fight for the championship.
"Our expectations have been simple," noted Leljedal. "Come every day and give us 100 percent of what you have that day. If you only have 60 percent, give us all of that. In that we're going to find ways to get better at every practice.
"The girls have seen and felt our goals for the season and we're expecting big things," added Leljedal. "I don't want to put a number out there, but we won 7 of our 14 games last year, and the goal is always to be better than you were. So we're looking for the number to get higher and finish above .500."
AROUND THE IAC SOUTH LARGE SCHOOL / SECTION IV
"Our division is always tough," said Leljedal. "Watkins Glen and Notre Dame are always going to put out tough teams.
"I know both schools lost some key players, but so did we," he noted. "So, it'll be interesting to see who can fill those slots and be ready to roll.
"T-Burg is going to be tough as well; Lansing gave us a tough game last year. There's a lot of good teams that we'll have to be ready to come out against if we want to succeed.
"This being only my second year and really first year as the guaranteed coach of the program, (Section IV) is still new to me," added Leljedal. "I know if we want to be successful in the tournament this year, we'll have to look at some of the bigger STAC schools, but as coach Decker and I have been saying all preseason ... Why not us?"
SVEC opens the 2025 campaign Thursday at Whitney Point.
——————————
IN PHOTO: SVEC's Allie Lyon. ... TCSR STOCK PHOTO.
