Port Washington’s core trio is back for soccer

All three all-conference players are back as captains for the Port Washington High School girls’ soccer team.

Senior Libby Holmes, who was named to the North Shore Conference second team, and senior Madi Uselding and sophomore Kamryn Knaub, who received honorable mention, return to lead the Pirates.

“The number of minutes the three of them have played at the varsity level along with some high-level club experience is absolutely one of our strengths going into the season,” coach Sandy Bennett said.

She has high hopes for them and the rest of the squad in the new Glacier Trails Conference.

The Pirates plan to spread out the scoring load among several players.

“We don’t particularly have a lone striker this year. We’re looking for Charlotte O’Brien, Libby, Ally Schlehlein, Ava Mueller and Sam Navigato along with others to work together as an attacking group to score and create goals this season,” Bennett said. “As has been the case for us in the past, we’re going to have to score as a unit vs. relying on a striker with a lot of experience at that position.”

Last season, Holmes had six goals and five assists to lead the team.

In the midfield, seniors Kaylee Elgin and Mia Blum will be the core.

“Their experience, and minutes they’ve logged at the varsity level since their freshmen year is going to be key to our success and controlling the middle,” Bennett said.

“Ally Schlehlein, Ava Mueller and Addie Wellenstein are wingers that’ll have to work hard to get up and down the flanks.”

On defense, Uselding will run the show.

“Madi controls the back line with her organization and communication skills,” Bennett said.

Knaub is back at keeper after making 50 saves in 11 games, including four on penalty kicks. She allowed 12 goals. Junior Lily Kerbel will also play keeper.

“We are very fortunate to have two exceptional and experienced goalies on our team,” Bennett said.

The team’s strength, she said, is experience and “the continuing trend from last year to want to learn and adapt as challenges present themselves.”

The Pirates set a goal of winning the new conference, which doesn’t have the soccer powerhouses like the North Shore, finishing with a winning record and winning a regional title.

Port went 6-8-2 last season, including 1-6-1 in the NSC.

“The new conference has its advantages and disadvantages. We’ll have to see how playing each team twice and fitting in nonconference games will fold out, especially with the current spring weather conditions,” Bennett said.

Port tied Sheboygan Falls at 1 at home in the opener on April 9. The Pirates lost at Plymouth, 3-1, on April 14 and tied Oostburg in a scoreless game last Thursday at home. Mueller scored both of Port’s goals.

Port was to host Kettle Moraine Lutheran on Tuesday, April 21. The Pirates play at West Bend Co-op on Thursday, April 23, at Slinger on Saturday, April 25, and they host Kewaskum on Tuesday, April 28.

Grafton gets win in fog

Grafton last Thursday beat Shorewood, 2-1, but coach Jason Rogers missed a little of the game.

“It’s tough to play in the fog. You can’t see across the field,” he said. “It’s definitely tough to coach.”

Junior Katylen Valenta scored her seventh goal of the season and freshman Mila Dotson added a score. Senior Brayleigh Sumner and junior Abby Widmann each had an assist.

Dotson has jelled with freshman Kaylie Van Sluys.

“They play on same side. They know each other and seem to work well off of each other,” Rogers said.

Widmann, he said, fired a number of free kicks into the box before finally getting an assist.

Rogers said Keeper Paige Proefrock “made some good saves.” Shorewood’s goal came on a penalty kick.

Despite the team not playing as well as the coaches would have liked, Rogers said, “we talked about where we were last year. We’re now 4-0 and could’ve played better.

“I’ll take this anytime,” he said.

Grafton was to play at Whitefish Bay on Tuesday, April 21. They host Whitnall on Thursday, April 23 and Homestead on Tuesday, April 28.