From left, St. Marys’ Aerial Fast and Ottawa-Glandorf’s Myka Aldrich and Makenna Siefker.
When looking for the best girls soccer players in the state of Ohio this season look no further than Northwest Ohio and a trio from the Western Buckeye League.
St. Marys senior Aerial Fast and the Ottawa Glandorf duo of senior Myka Aldrich and junior Makenna Siefker are three players opposing coaches can count on for nightmares when they try to sleep the night before their team faces off with any of them in a match.
Fast and Siefker landed at No. 7 and No. 21 respectively on the USA Today Network Ohio’s preseason list of the top 23 players in the state and Aldrich also received votes. Fast and Aldrich also made the watch list for December’s High School All-American Game.
“I’m very grateful to be part of the Lady Rider soccer program, without them none of this would be possible,” said Fast, who will play collegiately at Wright State University, about the honor. “My teammates push me every day to be better every day.”
St. Marys head coach Nick Wilson said “Aerial is one of those players that is self-made. She works hard at her craft and has since she was a little girl so it is no surprise to me she’s listed as one of the best players in the state or that Wright State came knocking.”
The Roughriders will play host to Aldrich, Siefker, and the Titans in a key Western Buckeye League matchup Sept. 14th that can’t be missed for fans to scope just how good all three players are and potentially a match that will decide the conference crown as well.
Last season the Titans hosted the Riders in an early season matchup which saw Aldrich and Siefker account for the only markers in a 2-0 victory.
Aldrich entered her senior season with 47 career goals and as one of the leaders of a program that has reached back-to-back Division III state finals.
“It’s a really big honor and I know one of the reasons I was chosen is the team. I wouldn’t get as much recognition without my team,” said Aldrich on making both lists.
Siefker tied for the Titan team lead in goals as a sophomore with 21 while also adding seven assists. In her first two years with the program the junior accounted for 46 goals and 15 helpers while helping the blue and gold amass a 41-4-2 record and last season’s WBL title.
Siefker remarked on her inclusion “The success of the team has really helped bring out and spotlight our accomplishments.”
“These are two kids who really deserve the recognition because they’ve done all the hard work to get to this point. They’ve done the work to be individual stars but know that the team is number one” Ottawa Glandorf coach Michelle Maag said.
Speaking on the topic of Aerial Fast’s inclusion to the list Aldrich remarked “She’s a very hard-working player I’ve played with since I was tiny. She puts in the hard work to get where she is.”
Mike Hirn wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
