Nighthawks set for fall schedule

ALMA – After a series of tryouts which saw close to 50 different players take to the field for the training sessions, the Northumberland Regional Lady Nighthawks have selected their roster and are ready to begin the 2012 high school soccer campaign.
The team boasts 14 returning players and features leadership from 12 seniors. The 19-member player roster also has a total of three Grade 11 juniors, three Grade 10 sophomores and two Grade 9 players.
The team will be led by Captains Karleigh Avery and Veronica Deno on the defensive line and Katie Walsh in midfield.
Newcomers, Savannah Lees and Marli Johnston along with Cara MacIvor in a pinch, will be taking care of the goalkeeping and have all earned their spots.
Plenty of experience exists among the defenders where Deno, Lauren Hale and Vicki Oliver will patrol the central defence with Avery, Jenna Fraser and Krishma Joshi along the touch line defensive flanks.
Walsh, Jessica Williams and Kelsey Crawford will be distributing the ball from the centre of midfield while Juliana Ali, Jennifer Cooke and Isabelle Bennett will play the midfield wing role.
Season Brennan and T-Anna Fraser will form a dynamic strike pair up front and their relief will come from speedsters Sydney Adamson and sprinter Heather Beaton, who has committed to soccer for her fall sport this season. Cara MacIvor will play the holding striker role with relief from Oliver when required.
Up front the Lady Nighthawks are counting on this group to challenge and keep the pressure on opposing defences.
The Nighthawks scheduled a trip to Antigonish on Tuesday to test the Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals and will play in the NNEC friendly tournament with Northeast Kings Titans, Pictou Academy Pitbulls and the host North Nova Gryphons.
The Nighthawks will host their fourth annual 3-D Auto Parts eight-team tournament at the Rotary and NRHS fields beginning Sept. 21.
Coach Bob Boardway had words of praise for his team.
“They work hard and are eager to keep the competitive cauldron brewing in each and every drill,” Boardway said.
The Nighthawks have added a pair of Grade 10 student managers for the season, both Olivia MacDonald and Breanne Sutherland are rehabbing season ending injuries but will continue to be part of the program
The Nighthawks have also added to their leadership staff with assistant coach Jackie Fitt-Ryan and manager Ruth Ann Murray.