By Cort Reynolds

Three Bluffton girls were named to the All-Northwest Conference soccer first team in voting recently conducted by the league coaches.

Pirate junior scoring leader Aubrey Burkholder was named first team all-league. Senior teammate Jordan Schweingruber and junior Blair Utendorf were also tabbed as first teamers.

Burkholder has tallied 17 goals and dished out 11 assists to amass 45 points so far this season.

Utendorf has scored seven goals and passed out five assists for 19 points. Schweingruber has netted three goals for six points.

Pirate junior Mya McDougle was named second team all-league. She has netted 11 goals and dished out 10 assists this season for 32 points.

Six Pirates were voted honorable mention all-conference. 

Junior goalkeeper Kynzie Ewing, junior Avery Ulrey, sophomore Nora Matthews, senior Jordyn O’Connell, sophomore Greta Myers and junior Jenna Downey were all named HM All-NWC.

Keeper Ewing has made 80 saves and posted a 1.23 goals against average this season.

Lauryn Auchmuty of league champion Columbus Grove was named NWC Player of the Year. She has netted 40 goals and doled out 15 assists for 95 points this season to lead Grove to a 15-1-2 record.

CG mentor Kyle Verhoff was voted NWC Coach of the Year after guiding Grove to a 6-0 record and the league title.

Bluffton (11-5-1 overall) finished second in the seven-team NWC standings at 5-1. Delphos Jefferson came in third (4-2), followed by Allen East (3-3), Spencerville (2-4), Crestview (1-5) and LCC (0-6).

2024 NWC Girls Soccer All-Conference Teams

NWC Player of the Year: Lauryn Auchmuty, Columbus Grove
NWC Coach of the Year: Kyle Verhoff, Columbus Grove

1st Team
Lauryn Auchmuty, Columbus Grove
Aubrey Burkholder, Bluffton
Jordan Schweingruber, Bluffton
Rilyn Jones, Allen East
Kyah Kimmett, Delphos Jefferson
Dylan Miller, Allen East
Ruth Myers, Columbus Grove
Blair Utendorf, Bluffton
Devanie Pingle, Columbus Grove
Claire Stokes, Delphos Jefferson
Jenna Wannemacher, Spencerville
Madi Springer, Crestview

2nd Team
Ella Dotson, Columbus Grove
Ella Lamb, Crestview
Mya McDougle, Bluffton
Allison Thompson, Columbus Grove
Emma Kunz, Delphos Jefferson
Grace Fledderjohann, Spencerville
Olivia Venturella, Lima Central Catholic
Aubrey Dudgeon, Delphos Jefferson
Erianne Heffner, Columbus Grove
Bronwyn Schaefer, Allen East
Aubree Bayman, Delphos Jefferson

Honorable Mention
Kynzie Ewing, Bluffton
Ellie Ward, Crestview
Rylie Jordan, Allen East
Avery Ulrey, Bluffton
Audra McMichael, Spencerville
Sierra Studer, Allen East
Nora Matthews, Bluffton
Jordyn O’Connell, Bluffton
Lainey Zarse, Columbus Grove
Emma Smith, Spencerville
Greta Myers, Bluffton
Nora Gallaspie, Spencerville
Karsyn Garmatter, Columbus Grove
Ava Gephart, Lima Central Catholic
Jenna Downey, Bluffton
Alanna Knebel, Delphos Jefferson