After Losing 10 Players to Graduation, Fields Says Team Needs “Everyone to Step Up”
As the Worthington Christian High School girls soccer team gears up for its Aug. 15 opener at Jonathan Alder, coach Luke Fields feels like he’s putting together a jigsaw puzzle with a lot of missing pieces.
The Warriors lost 10 players, including eight starters, from a team that went 15-3-2 and finished as the Division IV Central District runner-up.
“It’s back to basics,” Fields said. “Our numbers are a little bit lower, so everyone has got to step up. I’m looking forward to seeing who surprises me this year.”
Among the missing pieces are forward Anna Meadows, the Central Buckeye League player of the year and an all-state selection; defender Britton Kibbey, a first-team all-CBL, all-district, and all-Ohio selection; and midfielder Megan Smolenski, who earned first-team all-league and all-district honors.
The Class of 2026 compiled a 63-14-9 record, reached the district championship all four years, and made the team’s first trip to the state semifinals in 2024.
“Losing that many seniors is definitely not easy,” said senior midfielder/defender Peyton Blary, who captains the team with senior Faith Ashu and juniors Bright Ashu and Rylan Roads. “It’s definitely changed our dynamics. That team was built up from their freshman year all the way to their senior year.”
Fields will have to rebuild an offense that averaged 2.95 goals per game last year. Faith Ashu, Roads, and senior Emma Gault have emerged as forwards, and sophomores Georgia Palmer and Evie Hoyt will solidify the midfield. Fields will rotate junior Kallie Vosberg and sophomore Mari Lehman between the two positions.
Worthington Christian must also fill holes in its defense, which allowed 0.8 goals per game and recorded 10 shutouts. Seniors Christine Sampsel, juniors Jana Chu and Lydia Cleverley, and sophomores Karis Fields and Melia Magistro look to rebuild the defense. After backing up graduated senior Olivia Robson last season, Bright Ashu and senior Kaitlin Shinlever will split time at the goalkeeper position. Blary and sophomores Olivia Berner and Julia Glick will provide flexibility by playing both in the midfield and the defense.
Freshmen Abby Davis (F), Zoey Chang (M/F), Amaya Doellman (M/F), Kyler Roads (M/F), and Ellie Pérez (M/F) could figure into Fields’ plans.
“We actually have a pretty good amount of incoming talent,” Blary said. “We haven’t had a single instance when a player has come in with a bad attitude or not interested or engaged in what we’re doing. They all just show up happy to put in the hard work.
“We have all these incoming freshmen who are willing to listen, participate, and give everything for every practice.”
The Warriors will be tested by the Central Buckeye League, which is usually a barometer for the postseason. Worthington Christian placed second in the league with a 7-1 record, finishing behind Grandview Heights (7-0-1). The Bobcats scored on a penalty kick to post a 1-0 win over the Warriors on Oct. 1. Academy (6-1-1) and Bexley (5-3) rounded out the top four.
In the postseason, the league’s top four teams all reached their respective district finals. Worthington Christian will face road tests at Bexley Sept. 2, Academy Sept. 9, and Grandview Oct. 7.
“The CBL is a tough league for a team our size,” Fields said. “I never fully know what other teams have because of freshmen coming in, and sometimes key players don’t come back, but it’ll be a test for sure.”
Reaching the district final has become almost routine for Worthington Christian. Unfortunately, so has heartbreak. The Warriors have reached the district finals six times since 2016, losing in shootouts twice, in overtime once, and by a goal in regulation twice before winning their first district title in 2024.
According to Fields, last year’s loss particularly hurt. WC defeated CBL rival Academy 5-4 in the regular season, but the Vikings defeated the Warriors 1-0 in a Division IV district final. Academy then advanced to the state championship before falling to Summit Country Day 4-0.
“Academy had one shot (in the district final) and scored on it,” he said. “That was frustrating for the girls. It’s kind of been a rallying call this season: let’s score first and put pressure on whoever we’re playing.”
Blary thought the Warriors achieved a breakthrough in 2024 when the team defeated Academy 2-1 to win a district championship and beat St. Clairsville 3-0 for its first regional title. Worthington Christian finished 17-5-2 after losing to eventual state champion Summit Country Day 4-0 in a state semifinal.
“The 2024 season changed how we approach every aspect of training, practices, preseason games, everything,” she said. “We were able to visualize our potential and experience how far hard work can take us.
“I feel like we’re held to a higher standard now because of what we achieved that year. Even though the standard is high, we know it’s attainable.”