Outside of girl’s golf, high school athletics regular season games and matches are set to begin Aug. 14. Before then, North Star will preview each of the Lawrence North fall sports teams. Girls soccer is our next highlighted team.

He helped resurrect an up and coming boys soccer program at Aloha High School in Oregon, and now he is bringing his talents to the Lawrence North Wildcats. Cory Sandvold opens his first year as the head man in charge for the girls soccer team. Sandvold brings with him 10 years of coaching experience and playing experience.

“I think I bring that competitiveness because I am an ex-player.” Sandvold said “I played at a very high level and I expect my players to do the same.”

Sandvold inherits a strong trio of talented returning juniors from last years team headlined by Grace Moore who was one of the team’s leading  scorers in 2016. Alongside Moore the Wildcats return starters in juniors Elyse Moser and Ryli John.

“Having them all playing together this year and bringing them back next year will be tremendous for our program,” Sandvold said. “I want to go and play for sectional titles and regional titles and I think this junior class has the chance to do that. If it’s not this year then hopefully everything will carry over to next year where I definitely think they are going to have high chances.”

The Wildcats also return an experienced group of seniors from the 2016 squad. Olivia Rogers, Megan Waters and Emma Sherman all look to make impacts in 2017.

“We don’t have a lot of seniors but the ones that I have seem to be pretty solid, well respected and talented.” Sandvold said “The majority of them are club players who all get along and all work hard so we just need to be able to put the right pieces in place and find the right combination.”

Although Sandvold still has to adjust to the Indiana high school soccer scene, he has set high hopes and expectations for the upcoming season.

“My expectations are always going to be to win every game  and be one of the best teams in the league. I want to go and play for sectional titles and regional titles,” Sandvold said. “I love the team training and bonding, but when it comes down to it it’s all about those 80 minutes under the lights in the stadium that matter the most and I love every minute of it.”

Key Returning Players: Junior Elyse Moser, Senior Olivia Rogers, Junior Grace Moore, Junior Ryli John

Important Games: Lawrence North at North Central (August 17), Lawrence North at Carmel (September 5), Center Grove at Lawrence North (September 13)

Last Year State Tournament Result: Lost in Sectional Semi Final (Cathedral defeat Lawrence North 4-0)