By Dale Miller
dale.miller@theindependent.com

With several underclassmen slated to start, the Vikings will have to contend with inexperience.

"We'll be pretty young," Charron said. "We'll have some freshmen starting. A couple of starters will not be able to start but will play because they missed practice for various reasons. We will not have our best team on the field to begin with."

Charron does like what he sees from his younger players.

"We have some girls out who are good additions," he said.

"But as far as experience, I wish we had more."

And it is tough to replace experience, which Northwest is forced to do after suffering some key losses to graduation.

"You replaced (the graduates) with sophomores and freshmen, and they aren't going to be able to replace them at the same level as the players we graduated," Charron said.

"We're a real unknown right now. I hope the girls pull together and work together. If we make up for our lack of experience with team play, that will help."

But the experience cupboard isn't totally bare. Northwest returns six starters including five seniors.

Goalkeeper McKensie Petersen returns along with defenders Jessica Berry and Lydia Myers.

"I think our defense will be very solid," Charron said. "The middle of the field is where we're unsettled."

Haley Helgoth is the only returning starter midfielder.

Back at forward are Tara New, the team's leading scorer last year, and Jenna Roberts.

Other players looking to earn expanded playing time are junior midfielder Katie Rauert, sophomore midfielder Brittany Howell, sophomore defender Erica Hughes, sophomore utility Sarah Stoltenberg and freshman forward Kalee Bockman.

"I'm curious to see how some of the young girls step up," Charron said.

Schedule

March18, Kearney; 20, at Columbus Lakeview; 25, at Grand Island Senior High; 27, York.

April1, at Holdrege; 5, Northwest Tournament; 10 and 12, Central Conference Tournament; 14, at Seward; 17, at Hastings; 21, Columbus Scotus; 22, Crete; 25, at Schuyler.