GALION — In 2016, the Galion Lady Tigers became the first girls high school soccer team in Crawford County.

Although the season didn’t go as well as hoped — the Tigers were 0-12 overall and 0-7 within the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference — big strides forward were made in the eyes of head coach Eric Palmer.

Galion is gearing up for season No. 2 on the high school level and again will be led by Palmer, who this year returns nine letterwinners from last year’s inaugural team. However, they will be without the services of Natalie Rodriguez and Bri Wallis, who graduated.

Also, this will be the first season that Galion will host home soccer matches, with the games set to be played in the field behind the schools on the Galion City Schools campus.

Natalie Hornbeck, Allison DeNero, Hannah Snyder, Emily Sanders, Chelsea Hoffman, Drucilla Singer, Destiny Yoder, Kate Wildenthaler, AJ Nickels and Katie McDonald will all once again suit up in the orange and blue and take to the pitch for the Lady Tigers, with everyone of the above listed players winning a varsity letter in the inaugural season.

A new face to the roster, Brooklyn Gates, is an athlete to keep your eyes on as she brings club soccer experience to a team that is currently still in the learning process.

As for the season and league goals for 2017, coach Palmer is looking for continued improvement.

“This is our second year as a program,” he said. “With the arrival of newcomers and nine returning letterwinners, we are anticipating a season of excitement and high energy, as well as to come out and compete at a much higher level than last year.”

But life in the MOAC will not be easy.

“Clear Fork, Ontario and Buckeye Valley look to compete to be the league champions,” Palmer said. “Marion Harding looks to be solid this year, as well. River Valley and Pleasant seem to be rebuilding and here in Galion, we’re still building from last year. But our goal is to be in the middle of the table.”

The Galion Lady Tigers’ season will start on Saturday, August 19 with a trip to Frost-Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin to take on the Lady Tornadoes of Tiffin Columbian. Galion will host Highland on Wednesday, Aug. 23, for their first-ever home game.

On Monday, Oct. 16, the 2017 regular season campaign will end with a home match against the Lady Tygers of Mansfield Senior.