2007 Season: 8-7-3 (7-3 NEMC)

Coach: Jeff Young

Returning athletes: Jessica Killinger, sr., GK; Ashley Osterland, jr., D/M; Cara Crawford, jr., D/M; Kristi Killackey, jr., M/F; Kaitlin Morrell, jr., D/M; Emily Walker, jr., D/M; Chelsey Clemens, so., F/M; Melissa Deyarmond, so., M/GK; Monica Middleton, so., M/F; Jennifer Yang, so., M/F; Cynthia Dotson, so., M/F; Amber Rodriguez, so., M/F.

New to varsity: Katlyn Anthony, jr.; Tonya Dale, fr.; Emily Keister, fr.; Bailey Gilmore, fr.; Chelsea Morris, fr.

Outlook: The Falcons finished strong in 2007, going 8-2-3 in the second half of the season after getting off to a 3-5 start. In order to pick up where they left off, though, they will have to quickly find a way to score some goals as the graduation cost them dearly on the offensive end of the field.

“We definitely have some holes to fill,” says Ogemaw coach Jeff Young. “We're making some adjustments. We've improved a lot since the start of practice. We still have a ways to go, but I'm not feeling bad about (early-season cancellations in March). We're still looking to get the right people in the right places.”

The good news is that the Falcons shouldn't be giving up a lot on the defensive end. Senior goalkeeper Jessica Killinger anchors an experienced defense that includes juniors Ashley Osterland, Emily Walker and Cara Crawford. One of those three will have to step back to fill the sweeper position left vacant by Kate Friederichs' graduation, but Young's team will be hanging its hat on defense, especially early in the year.

“The defense gives us confidence that we can compete at a high level,” he says. “Hopefully on the offensive end we'll be able to come together.”

Though practicing on grass has been near-impossible for most of the spring, Young sees potential for his scoring to come from sophomore Chelsey Clemens, junior Kristi Killackey (a first-team all-NEMC selection) and sophomore Monica Middleton.

“”Hopefully we'll be able to get Kristi free to score some goals,” he says. “I think Chelsey could be a little dynamo; she just goes all-out all the time. And Middleton has been impressive with her shot, even though we've been indoors. I'm hoping she's a pleasant surprise.”

The Falcons will have their hands full, of course, at the top of the league that should once again be led by John Glenn and Tawas Area, before heading into the tough Division 2 district in which the Falcons have never won a game.

Of course, that was the case for the boys team last fall that Young led to its first district title.

“Right now it's easy to feel a little pessimistic because everything went so perfectly for the boys season,” he says. “I think that maginifies every little thing, like the fact that we've been stuck indoors all this time.

“But maybe if things go right, we'll be ready to play those (district) games when the time comes.”