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state last year. They have been in every state tournament since soccer began in Groton. The team will also have great leadership on the field, returning six starters and 12 letterswinners. Returning are Amy Hockhalter, Abby Gibbs, Savannah Larson, Mikki Kavanaugh, Cheyenne Schaller, Jasmine Schaller, Madison Profetta, Darac Harry, Marlee Jones, Emily Locke, McKenzie Menzia, and Heather Lone.
• "We have a good mix of experience and new players," Kavanaugh said. "Speed on the field is a strength our team has, particularly in our younger girls. The girls have excellent attitudes and a good work ethic. These girls know to have fun."
• Kavanaugh feels the teams' toughest opponents will be Aberdeen Central and the team's old nemesis, St. Thomas Moore, Rapid City.
• "Aberdeen Central is the defending state AA champions," Kavanaugh said. "They have a great deal of experience and talent, and they are well coached."
• "St. Thomas Moore, are the perennial state champion contenders in the A division," Kavanaugh said. "They play hard; there is a definite growing competitive rivalry between the two programs."
• To keep the team competitive Kavanaugh plans to keep it simple.
• "Our plans for improvement are to work hard, build on the basics and improve individual strengths," Kavanaugh said.
• "With this being the first year for Soccer as a SDHSAA sponsored sport there are a great number of unknowns" Kavanaugh said. "Groton High School and our players are excited to be one of the first schools to help move soccer into the school as a fully sanctioned school. Our goal is to make it to and be competitive in the FIRST SDHSAA state tournament."

• -Char Telkamp