By John Molene

Park lost two of its best players but returns almost everyone else this 2022 season in girls’ soccer.

Missing from this year’s team are Megan Maloney and Kenzie Harer, two seniors who controlled Park’s midfield for several seasons.

Key athletes returning for the Wolfpack are senior midfielder Olivia Opichka and is planning to college soccer, junior Emma Taschner, a versatile player who played many positions for Park last year, junior Ava Reckinger, who plays both midfield and defense and senior attacker Megan Korth.

They’ll be junior by some talented newcomers led by senior attacker Taylar Nadler, a three-sport athlete who has really focused on her soccer game to be ready for this season and senior Sydnee Nelson, an athletic defender who transferred to Park last year and was not eligible for varsity soccer. Nelson is planning to play D2 basketball in college.

Team strengths are expected to be experience, speed and senior leadership, said coach Stacy Paleen, who is in her 27th season of coaching at Park, including beginning her eighth season as head coach.

“We are returning 12 varsity players who all saw considerable minutes last season,” said Paleen. “We have some extremely fast players on our squad and several of our girls played together this summer. “There’s) great senior leadership in our program.”

Team weaknesses start with a need to score more goals.

“We always struggle to score goals, but we are hoping that will change this season,’ said Paleen.

Park was 2-7 in conference play last season and 6-11 overall.

Asked what would make for a successful fall season, Paleen said: “Keep everyone healthy and be competitive in all our conference games. We are looking to host a section game and advance out of the quarterfinals. Mostly, we want our players to find joy and confidence in the game of soccer.”

One game this season might be more interesting for Paleen than others. On Sept. 1, Park will host Highland Park Senior High where Paleen’s senior daughter plays.

Park opens the season Thursday, Aug. 25, at home in a girls/boys’ soccer doubleheader against visiting Bloomington Jefferson. The girls game starts at 5 p.m. followed by the boys’ game at 7 p.m. at Wolfpack Stadium.

Jefferson knocked out the Park girls in the section quarterfinals last fall.

Senior attacker Megan Korth is one of several key returners for the Park girls’ soccer team this fall. Photo by John Molene