Girls’ soccer teams put up winning seasons, but fall short in sectional

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The regular season is just practice for the playoffs. That’s one way of looking at sports, but it misses out on celebrating the achievements that take place from match to match.

The Northwestern Lady Tigers and the Western Lady Panthers turned in winning seasons, though both were ushered out of the IHSAA state tournament last week. With the schedule exhausted, it is worthwhile to review their performances before winter sports arrive.

Northwestern ended the season with a 13-2-2 record, falling to Culver Academies (9-4-1) in the first round of the IHSAA sectional.

They were led all season long by junior Brooklynn Conwell, who led the team in goals (15) and assists (12). She was held scoreless in the sectional game, however, missing on five shots at the goal. Five other players took aim at the net, missing all nine attempts.

She was joined offensively by sophomore Nadia Rockey, who scored nine goals and made four assists over the course of the season. Senior Izabella Arrick also was a strong contributor, putting the ball in the net six times and assisting another eight times during the successful season.

Senior Jessica Edwards (14) was a consistent scorer for the Lady Tigers, registering seven goals on the season, and senior Kendra Hughes (11) also hit paydirt for Northwestern with five goals in the 2026 campaign. Senior Addison Bumgardner (30) handled the bulk of the goaltending duties.

Western also registered a winning season, with a 9-5 record. Their quest for a title ended in the opening round of the sectional with a loss to Benton Central (15-3).

Six Lady Panthers logged double digits in scoring over the course of the season, led by junior Norah Ewing (1). She scored eight goals and put in the work for four assists. Close behind her was junior Isabelle Miller, who put the ball in the net seven times and helped on three more scores.

Sophomore Sophia Dechert (17) was one of three Lady Panthers to score five goals this season, joining sophomore Gretchen Raab (16) and junior Allison McKitrick (2). Dechert also registered six assists in 2026.

Savana Halterman, a freshman, was entrusted with goalkeeping duties for the bulk of the season, and she saved 66 shots to keep Western in the matches.

When the two teams met on Sept. 17, Northwestern prevailed thanks to the foot of Rockey, who scored the match’s only goal, with an assist from Arrick. The Lady Panthers’ Halterman was successful in turning away seven shots.

See additional photos from the match between Northwestern and Western, with galleries featuring each team, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page.