Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Kelsey Kaylor, a senior forward who missed all of last season after scoring 40 goals as a sophomore, returns to lead a deep and talented Woodmore squad this fall.
“A lot of girls had to step up and try to learn how to score, but we still struggled at it,” fifth-year head coach Jeff Helmke said. “Kelsey's a natural goal scorer, and we definitely had to work on (scoring in her absence). I think we (only) allowed 15 goals by the end of the playoffs, so we were in almost every game. That’s what our preseason goal is this year — finding different ways to put the ball in the net.”
Without Kaylor, the Wildcats finished 10-7-1 last year, including a 7-2 record in Sandusky Bay Conference play. They had a tough finish, losing their final three games before falling in a Division V district semifinal to eventual regional semifinalist, Kalida.
“We had a hard time scoring all season,” Helmke said. “We definitely missed Kelsey. Getting her back this year is gonna be a huge asset.”
Woodmore heads into this season looking to replace five seniors, including goalkeeper Kara Schneider, who totaled 48 saves, a pair of First Team All-SBC River selections in defender Alivia Smith and forward Kalle Heins, who combined for 10 goals. Honorable-mention All-SBC honoree, Megan Vogelpohl, is also gone.
“I think our seniors last year … their biggest asset was their leadership,” Helmke said. “They were hardworking and probably the most vocal group on the field. We're gonna miss that, but we have a bunch of young girls stepping in that are actually doing really well this year.”
With Schneider gone, Helmke said junior Abby Schmeltz (13 saves) and sophomore Grace Hablitzel are competing to replace her.
“There’s been a learning curve, but I think they're gonna do well,” he said.
This year’s team will feature six seniors, including three who earned all-conference recognition last year — Kaylor, Camille Strong (First Team), Keira Travis (Second Team), Izzy Helmke (Honorable Mention), Lyndee Wagner, and AvaLee Cobb.
“Camille is our workhorse, she's our leader,” Coach Helmke said. “Without Camille in the middle, things sometimes tend to fall apart. If I move her out of the midfield, you know quickly. She seems to be the heart of our team in the middle.”
Helmke said that Cobb doesn’t start, but provides key leadership.
“She’s one of those high IQ players,” he said. “She gives us good minutes off the bench.”
Junior Rylie Hesselbart scored a team-high 10 goals last year, while Honorable Mention All-SBC River selection Willow Lewis is back.
Anchored by Strong, Helmke feels that the team’s midfield is one of the best aspects of the team.
“We're strong through the whole field, but we have a great group of midfielders that are all battling each other for playing time, and each one brings a different aspect to the game,” he said. “The work they can do together is what is going to set this team apart from some of the others.”
On the back end, Travis and Addison Pleasnick highlight another strength of the team.
“We have a great, deep group of defenders right now,” Helmke said. “We're about six or seven deep on defense. But Addie, Keira, Taylor Hill … there's a sophomore named Valerie Kerecz — we really, really like our defense, and they're very mobile. They like to get up the field and attack with the offense. They’re really fun to watch at times.”
Kaylor almost feels like the cherry on top of what could be a special season.
“Her work ethic is what stands out,” Helmke said. “The kid works, and she's relentless. She has a killer instinct. Where some girls might let a ball go, she's not going to let it go. And she's going to do everything she can to win that ball.”
Helmke said the team’s biggest focus is patience and possession.
“We’re a fast team, but sometimes we have to slow down,” he said.
Woodmore begins its 2025 campaign at home on Aug. 20 against defending Northern Buckeye Conference co-champion, Lake.
“If we keep showing the hunger to improve, we believe we can be the league champs,” Helmke said. “We believe we're going to make a long playoff run. We're definitely hoping regionals will be our minimum.
“Probably the best thing I love about our team right now is the strength in our numbers. Fifteen girls are going to be begging to be on the field the whole game, and we have trust in 15 or more girls.”
