Carrollton girls soccer eyes new sectional streak

The Carrollton girls soccer crew is looking to start another streak.

When Eastern Buckeye Conference arch-rival Minerva defeated the Lady Warriors last year in the Division IV East 2 sectional tournament, it snapped Carrollton’s streak of sectional victories. 

The Lady Warriors want to flip the script in 2025 and begin another string of postseasons with one – and hopefully more – victories. In order to accomplish this goal, eighth-year coach Chris Knotts – who has a career record of 30-19-7 – has an intriguing blend of experience and youth from which to call upon.

Returning to the pitch are senior midfielder Isabella Nuzzolillo, senior goalkeeper Gianna James, and senior forward Chelsea Pesta. The junior class is led by midfielder Abigail Matoszkia, defender Addison Jurkeiwicz, midfielder Lindsay Allender and defender Joslyn James. Midfielder Maria Nuzzolillo and defender Eva Nicholas, both sophomores, are last but certainly not least.

Blended in to the mix are several newcomers, and two of them could begin paying dividends right away. They are freshman midfielder Reed Macke and sophomore forward Reagan Schneiders.

The Lady Warriors finished last season with a 7-7-3 mark after posting an 11-5-4 record in 2023. One obstacle that Carrollton has encountered is success in the EBC; over the past three seasons, the Lady Warriors are winless, going 0-12-3. Their last conference victory occurred in 2021, when Carrollton defeated Minerva 1-0.

To get over the hump, the Lady Warriors must make up ground on perennial powers West Branch and Alliance, the teams that finished first and second last year. With the senior leadership and steady hand provided by Isabelle Nuzzolillo and Pesta, and the speed and energy provided by Schneiders and Macke, look for Carrollton to begin to work its way up the ladder in the always tough EBC, and again make some noise in sectionals.