By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports editor
It says something about the talent – and the consistent nature of incoming talent – that the Union Grove Union High School girls soccer team can lose seven seniors from 2012, still have six seniors on its roster – and call itself “young.”
“We finished third in the conference last year and the girls felt we were within striking distance of a conference championship,” said Gregg Anderle, who has coached the team since its first step into the varsity ranks in 2006.
“They have worked hard in the offseason and while we have quite a few new faces, our goals and expectations have not dropped.
“We will know in our first three games whether this is a rebuilding year or a reloading year.”
While the Broncos have lost their first four games – results from Tuesday were unavailable by press deadline – three of those losses were to ranked opponents in Divisions 1 and 3.
And while the Broncos lost seven seniors from last year’s squad, nine letterwinners return.
Leading the Broncos this season will be midfielders Katie Michel and Riley Mayor, while the Bronco defense will be anchored by Anna Rees and Sam MacMillian.
Juniors Erika Peterson and Liz Dujua are expected to lead the Union Grove attack, while freshmen Olivia Wilde, Holli Grajera and Caitlyn Obernberger.
The Broncos held a 4-1 lead over Kenosha Christian Life Monday – the No. 3 ranked team in Division 3 – but couldn’t hold on for a victory, losing 5-4 in overtime.
“Overall, not a bad effort for our first game in over a week,” said Anderle. “They rust showed a little bit in our first touch, but we checked back to ball and moved the ball pretty well considering.”
Holli Grajera opened the scoring for Union Grove, while Michel added an unassisted goal, and Mayer also scored to give UG a 3-1 lead at the half.
In the second half, Rees made a 50-yard attacking run and was brought down inside the penalty area. Michel converted the penalty kick.
After the PK, though, Christian Life had three straight goals to knot the score at 4-4.
In the overtime period, Christian Life scored early on a ball that went to the side netting past Bronco goalkeeper Alexis Trevino and ended the match.
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