Coach: Ken Cook

Returning players: Alicia Drumm, sr., F; Danielle Bird, sr., M; Hannah Miles, sr., M (captain); Kristen Whitney, sr., M; Ashley Krumm, sr., GK; Amy Gracik, sr., M (captain); Kristine Jackson, jr., F; Stephanie Glancy, jr., F; Asia Finnell, jr., F; Emelia Oslund, jr., D; Jamie Shaffer, jr., D; Gina Gerow, so., M; Alyssa Gracik, so., F; Jordan Zimmer, so., D; Jenny Jacques, so., M.

First time on varsity: Markee Gueldenzopf, sr.

Outlook: The Braves will be the most experienced NEMC team this season, with 15 of its 16 players returning from last season. Part of the reason is the creation of a JV program for the first time in the program's 10-year history, which will boat 18 players to be coached by varsity assistant Kevin Jungquist.

The varsity squad returns six seniors, including second-team all-NEMC seniors Ashley Krumm (a four-year starter at goalkeeper), Hannah Miles (midfield) and Amy Gracik (defense). Junior forward Kristine Jackson was a first-team all-league selection, while defender Jordan Zimmer earned second-team honors as a freshman last season.

"We are are very excited about this year with such large numbers returning and the great feeder of the new JV squad," says Tawas coach Ken Cook. "Tawas has a winning tradition in soccer and I don't expect that to change any time soon."

The Braves will be trying to wrest the league title from John Glenn, which won the league title last season by a half-game (the Braves' early-season tie with Ogemaw Heights being the difference) and also return a seasoned cast. Glenn won its first league title in 2005.

"A lot of the league teams have good coaching staffs and will be competitive this season," Cook says. "But I expect John Glenn to be the team to beat."