Girls Soccer | Season Preview

The 2024 squad finished 8-7-4, making it to the second round of the OHSAA state tournament, which is where their season ended. After graduating 23 players over the last two years, it was certainly a rebuilding year for these Nighthawks. But Coach Theresa Hirschauer is excited to see what this group of hard-working young talent can do:

"This is one of the smallest teams in my career, with only 23 players on the full roster and one senior. Our goal is to put the plan together piece by piece, with the target being the OHSAA tournament. I'm excited to watch the young players gain valuable game experience and lessons."

Goalkeeper Alyssa Easter, the lone senior, is also hoping to make a run with this young squad. Easter has been a difference-maker for this program since becoming a starter her sophomore year. Last season, she led the MVC in saves with 180 and sat at third for shutouts with 6. As a sophomore, she led the MVC in shutouts with 15, which included all seven playoff games of the Nighthawks' dominant 2023 state tournament run.

Easter will have the help of returning junior Josie Hyden, a three-year starter and the anchor for the Nighthawks' defense. Hyden received All-Conference Second Team MVC honors last season and accounted for 4 goals and 6 assists on offense.

Leading the attack will be junior Audrey de Alarcon, who notched 8 goals, 6 assists, and accounted for 22 points last season.

With Easter, de Alarcon, and Hyden leading the helm, this squad is looking to get back to state championship form.

With a tough schedule against talented Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky programs, this young team will be tested each step of the way, but with high hopes of a deep OHSAA tournament run.

The Nighthawks open the season at home in the Brian J. Bortz Family Stadium against Conner High School on Tuesday, August 19, at 6:30 p.m.