Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Payton Goodman returns to help anchor the Loggers defense this fall.
By Ray Hamill — The challenge this year for the Eureka girls as they get set for the new H-DNL soccer season is they will have to find a way to replace last season’s super talented senior class.
The good news is they appear to have enough young talent to do so.
The Loggers, who were undefeated in eight games in the spring and gave up just one goal all season, will open the new campaign at McKinleyville next Wednesday night.
“We’re a pretty young team this season,” said head coach Tommy Learmouth, who has just one senior on the squad after graduating seven from last year. “We’re just trying to put in the work every day and accomplish our goals.”
The lone senior, Payton Goodman, will lead the way defensively and is expected to play a key role in her final campaign after closing out the spring season with some strong performances.
“Payton will help anchor us at the back,” Learmouth said. “She’s really been stepping up as a leader.”
While they lack a lot of seniors, the Loggers have talented and deep junior and sophomore classes.
Clair Maples returns between the posts and has grown in stature as the last team’s last line of defense, while fellow juniors Ginny Brooks, Jordan Brown, Sidney Madsen and Amelia Stiano are all expected to play a major role.
Likewise with sophomores Ella Tollefson, Maia Hales and Lila Ekholdt, each of whom is coming off stellar freshman seasons.
And so far, Learmouth likes a lot of what he’s seen from his roster in the preseason.
“This group is definitely one of the most unique groups I’ve had,” he said. “They’re funny, they show up every day with a smile, and they’re willing to put in the work and always want to improve.”
Jordan Brown, left, and Ginny Brooks are part of a very talented junior class at Eureka this year.
Two other sophomores, Kaitlin Giacone and Grace Nelson, are also expected to play a big role this fall and make a big leap from the spring.
“They’ve put in a lot of work in the offseason,” Learmouth said of the two players. “They’ve really grown in leaps and bounds.”
One week before their season opener, the head coach admits he is still undecided on a lot of different positions, not surprising for a team that is replacing so many new starters.
They are, however, looking forward to the challenge and playing again under the lights at Mack High next week.
“We’re ready to go and chomping at the bit,” he said.
Next Wednesday’s game will kick off at 7 p.m.
