LAKEVILLE - After winning back-to-back IHSAA sectional championships over the last two seasons, Lancer coach Kevin Christy continues to preach the same message. Simply put, the focus is entirely on the team. No magic ball. Just good old-fashioned team ball for the LaVille girls soccer team as they begin the 2026 season. "Like every season for Lancer Girls Soccer, the focus is on the team," the Lancer boss said. "It takes all of them. We remind them that there are 17 leaders on this team. They all have a voice, and they all lead... at all times." After LaVille won an exciting IHSAA sectional title in a shootout last season, Coach Christy was asked if his club feels any pressure to three-peat this year. "I don't believe the team feels any pressure to win a third consecutive sectional," Christy explained. "The expectation is to compete at all times. Winning games, conferences, sectionals, and anything beyond that will follow only if they continue to work hard. That's where the focus is: Are we working as hard as we can to achieve whatever goals have been set? We are entering a new sectional with completely new opponents. There is no doubt this sectional is a tough one, but we will be ready when October arrives." Christy's crew battled Culver Community scoreless through regulation and overtime last year before the Lancers clinched the title by winning the penalty kick shootout, 2-1. LHS lost three players to graduation: Kelsie Andert, all-conference selection Macie Edwards, and Claire Wainscott. In 2026, LaVille will field a young squad with just two seniors—Denni Markin and Morgan Schmidt—but the team returns plenty of experience. Markin is a goalie known for her composure under pressure and has been a solid anchor through highly competitive IHSAA tournament runs. She made 148 saves last year alongside three shutouts. Schmidt, meanwhile, is a standout outside defender for the Lancers. She earned a starting role as a freshman and has locked down her position as a reliable, vital piece of the LaVille defense. Others anchoring the LHS backline include Lexi McQueen, Lilyanne Menefee, Myla Mishler, and Ashlynn Fleshman. "The game begins with defense—there's no way around it," Christy said. "We have to keep our opponents out of the net. We have a strong defensive half of the field, and we are continuing to build a more explosive offense. There's a new, more controlled style of play that is being developed—one with great communication and movement between the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. We have been moving well as a team, and we expect those things to continue to get better as the girls keep working together." Madison Mishler led the Lancer attack with 15 goals a year ago, while Reagan Strang added four. A total of 10 players found the net last year, of nine return this season. According to Coach Christy, the team will count on that same balanced philosophy. "As is the theme of the year, it takes every player, at all times, to be successful," Christy said. "There isn't one player or one moment that makes a season. It takes the continued work and dedication from the group. We have spent a lot of time on that this offseason. No egos. This season, it will be a team-based mentality and effort. Success is only achieved through the success of the team." Additional attackers looking to contribute include Kailey Hicks, Leena Karkiewicz, Reagan Strang, Rory Endicott, Chesney VanTornHout, and Sydney Williams. Mady Geraghty, Allie Gorka, Baleigh Wycoff, and Macie Aschenbrenner are also expected to play quality minutes. When asked how the landscape will look in the Indiana Northern State Conference (INSC) this fall, Coach Christy embraced the looming competition. "A lot of talent is moving in and out of the conference this season," Christy noted. "As far as we see it, the conference is going to be tough, and we welcome the challenge. There isn't an easy game for anyone in this conference. They are all shaping up to be great, close games." In the 2025 INSC girls soccer standings, Bremen and John Glenn tied for first, Jimtown finished third, LaVille took fourth, and Tippecanoe Valley placed fifth. LaVille is scheduled to open its season on August 20 against Rochester at Newton Park. Kickoff is set for 5:30 PM.