CADILLAC — The plan for the Petoskey girls soccer team this spring was never to start the year on the road at a Big North Conference opponent.
But, as many know, plans quickly change in the spring.
Led now by first-year head coach John Lennon, Petoskey came out ready to returned home with a 3-1 victory.
“After so much time inside, it was nice to go out and play a game on the turf,” Lennon said. “It was a good game for us to get used to our system of play again and work out some issues along the way.”
Things stood at 0-0 at the half, though Lennon was happy with what he saw from his team, before the scoring broke open in the second half.
“We talked early on about winning each game a half at a time, and I think we saw that last night when the girls came out to play hard in the second half,” Lennon added.
Sophomore Katie Robinson was first to put the Northmen on the board for the season. She was also the second, giving Petoskey a second goal against the Vikings, before senior Dezi Plichta notched the third.
Sofia Stabile and Mady Smith each assisted in the game.
Lennon also applauded the work his backline did, with returnees Ellie Ward and Amelie Janssens both leading from the back and Claire O’Donnell in the midfield.
Isla Scheib earned the victory in goal as a sophomore keeper making her first start.
Petoskey (1-0) will next get back to the field on in a 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 15 start against Sault Ste. Marie.
Harbor Springs 11, Kalkaska 0
KALKASKA — Harbor Springs’ girls wasted no time getting goals on the board against a Northern Shores Conference foe, earning an 11-0 win over Kalkaska on the road Thursday.
“Great first game for the girls to get ready for the next two matches against Marquette and Elk Rapids,” Harbor coach Aaron Riley said. “Hoping the girls continue to build skill and confidence.”
Both Lilly Barnadyn and Maeve Riley scored a pair of goals, then Sophie Barnadyn, Fran Warren, Hadley Weimer, Julia Clarke, Hadley Corlew, Taya Price and Lizzie Bassett all had one goal.
Lillian McShannock earned the victory in goal, with Makenna Brey, Keeler Brainerd and Addison Zulski leading the defensive charge.
Harbor (1-0) gets back to the field against Marquette Friday, then heads to Elk Rapids Saturday, April 11.
Boyne City 2, Kingsley 2
KINGSLEY — It’s been a pretty good week for Boyne City’s Kaelyn Matelski.
The standout senior athlete signed to continue her basketball career with Kirtland Community College, then later went on to open the scoring for the Rambler soccer team.
Matelski notched two goals in a 2-2 tie that began the season for Boyne City soccer. Addy Burns added an assist in the match, then Piper Olivier recorded a pair of saves in net.
Boyne City also fell in a 1-0 match against Cheboygan on Thursday. The Ramblers (0-1-1) will next head to Charlevoix Monday, April 13.
Charlevoix 0, Kingsley 0
The Rayders (0-0-1) will next welcome Grayling Friday, then bring in Boyne City on Monday, April 13.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey, Harbor girls soccer get 2026 season started on a win
Reporting by Drew Kochanny, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
