By BUTCH HARMON
The Mt. Pleasant girls soccer team has been experiencing plenty of success the past few years, and with some talented players returning, more good times may be in store this season.
Last year saw the Oilers compile an 18-2-2 overall record. They won the Saginaw Valley Conference for the first time in school history and won a district title for the second time in the past three years. Although eight seniors graduated from that team, plenty of talent returns, led by three-year players Ashley Montgomery and Kaley Pittsley.
Four of last year’s top five scorers return. Senior midfielder Emma Kahn is a returning all-state player who led the team with 24 goals and 18 assists. Kahn will be playing college soccer at Western Michigan University. Senior forward Whitnee Foote is another top returning scorer. She will be playing at Alma College next season. Senior midfielder Kaitlyn Hartman and sophomore midfielder Hannah Kahn also return and will be looking to further fuel the offense.
The Oilers also have an influx of talented newcomers. “We have five freshmen who will be making immediate impacts, with almost all of them jumping into starting roles right away,” said coach John Bunting. “Our key to success is with a mix of young and old players; we stand united and work together as a united group playing as if we don’t have half of our field taken over by new faces and experiences. We also are low on overall numbers compared to other groups, so staying healthy and recovered between matches will play a role overall.”
Bunting looks for Midland and Midland Dow to battle it out with Mt. Pleasant for the league title.