Post Views: 401
By Rick Cassano
HAMILTON – The 2026 season will soon begin with very high expectations for Badin High School’s girls soccer team.
Just like every other season.
The Rams graduated some key figures from last year’s Division III state runner-up squad, but they haven’t had a losing record since 2011 and plan to build on their tradition this year.
“I think a lot of people will say this is a rebuilding year for us, but is it a rebuilding year or is it a reloading year?” fifth-year Badin coach Chris Slusher said. “Only time will tell, but I’m going to venture to say it’s the latter. I think we’ve got a very good vibe again this year, a very positive atmosphere.”
Eight BHS players received All-Greater Catholic League Coed Division honors last year. Braelyn Even, Izzy Stokes, Blake Sakach and Tina Becker have departed, while Bella Heile, Reagan Nieman, Audrey Rhodis and Bella McFarland are all back.
The Rams finished 15-4-5 and won their fifth straight GCL Coed title last season. They started 0-3-1 and didn’t lose again until falling 1-0 to Bay Village Bay in the state final in Columbus.
“Last year was an amazing season,” Slusher said. “The seniors did a great job of leading and creating the culture that we as a program want to establish. We had a really tough schedule and it didn’t start the way that we wanted, but we never panicked. I felt like we were always getting better.
“I’ll put our kids up against anybody as far as service hours and essentially just human growth, whether they’re doing leadership seminars or building houses or doing community service. We’re a little bit behind fitness-wise for soccer because of that, but it’s for their personal growth, which is great.”
Slusher said falling one win short of a state championship should serve as motivation for his players. Badin has earned three state titles (2005, 2013, 2014) in 10 Final Four appearances.
“It was a fun run,” Slusher said. “The state final wasn’t our best game by any means. A mulligan would’ve been nice, but you don’t get those. It’s inspired me and I’m hoping it’s inspired the girls … we’ll see how the season goes.”
Even was the top scorer (nine goals, six assists) and Sakach was the primary goalkeeper (.875 save percentage) for the Rams last season. They’re continuing their careers at Cincinnati and Ohio Northern, respectively.
Badin returns five double-digit point producers in seniors Nieman (five goals, three assists) and Danielle Birri (five goals, one assist), juniors Rhodis (six goals, three assists) and McFarland (seven goals, four assists), and sophomore Ava Borg (eight goals, three assists).
There are more new faces on defense, though Heile returns as a senior and will be the anchor at center back.
“I feel good about this,” Heile said. “We’re working on team chemistry. I think our senior class is stepping up well, and we have a good, solid midfield right now. We’re still trying to find our back line.”
Junior Morgan Byrne figures to be the new goalkeeper and said she’s up to the challenge.
“I was lucky to have Blake in front of me for the past two years leading up to this position,” Byrne said. “I’d say I have big shoes to fill back there, but I’m ready to go. I’ve been working all summer, and I have great players in front of me. It’s going to be a grind, but every day is one step forward to the end goal and that’s to see ourselves in Columbus Crew Stadium.”
Heile and Byrne are two of the Rams’ captains. Birri is a returning defender, while senior Amber Broxterman and juniors Lucy Mazes and Dalylah French are also in the defensive mix.
Slusher said Badin has considerable depth and a talented freshman class. Broxterman (Heidelberg) and Nieman (Northern Kentucky) have committed to play collegiately.
“I think we’re going to be really fun to watch this year,” Slusher said. “It should be a real fun attacking season. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do with our goal production. We’re definitely not physical. We don’t shy away from physicality, but I think we’re an athletic, skillful team.”
Heile had a long run as a midfielder until she got moved to center back by her club coaches after her freshman season at Badin. She was more of a midfielder for the Rams as a sophomore, then turned her focus to defense for the Green-and-White last year.
Heile is remembered for shutting down All-American Reese Gallagher of Akron Hoban in last year’s state semifinals. Badin won 1-0 and Gallagher wasn’t able to do much while being marked by Heile.
“I knew I had Braelyn and Blake and Izzy and all my defenders right there if I needed them,” Heile said. “So I just went into it thinking she’s good, but I’ve got this. It worked, but it was a team effort.”
She has already been part of a state championship at Badin in flag football in 2025. Heile said this is likely her last year of soccer – she hopes to play flag football in college, either as a quarterback or as a receiver.
“I’ve grown up watching Buckeyes on Saturdays and Bengals on Sundays,” Heile said of her attraction to football. “My dad’s a Buckeyes fan and a Bengals fan, so we’d do that every weekend and sometimes my brother and I would toss with my dad. I’ve been doing it for a while, so when the opportunity came up for me to play, I was like, ‘Oh, absolutely,’ because I love playing football.”
Heile said she has a lot of faith in Byrne taking over as the goalie, describing her as confident and vocal.
“She kind of dictates the game back there,” Heile said.
This will be the first varsity season for Byrne, who was the JV keeper last year.
“I would say I’m pretty aggressive,” she said. “I love to talk back there and I love to be in control and see the whole field, and I’m not afraid to come out. I love that I can see the play and go attack the play and really take over the field.”
Byrne knows she’ll need to step up in the spotlight this season. She’s OK with that and believes “that pressure’s a privilege.”
“The big word around here is standard,” Byrne said. “It’s all over our shirts, and we have a lot to fulfill with that word. But there’s great people here. Everyone connects well. Everyone loves each other. Even before we’re on the field, we’re in the locker room singing and dancing. We all love to be together.”
Six of Badin’s first seven games this season are on the road. Included is a trip to Knoxville to face 2025 Tennessee state champions Bearden (Division I, Class AAA) and Liberty Creek (Division I, Class AA).
“We have the toughest schedule in the state in any division. It’s not even close,” Slusher said. “Our girls want to play the best.”
The Rams open the season Aug. 15 at Summit Country Day. The Silver Knights have won three straight state championships and have moved up to join Badin in Division III this year.
Related Topicsfeatured
