Gibault second year head coach Ryan Haas is looking to build on the success his team had in his first season. 

“Making it to a regional final was a good first step,” Haas said. 

With eight returning starters from last year’s 9-11-1 squad, the Hawks have gotten off to a good start this spring with wins over Roxana and Breese Central. 

A key returner is junior Emily Richardson, who led the Hawks with 15 goals and five assists in 2023. She scored 11 goals in the first four games  this season.

Other returning starters are midfielders Aubry Thomas and Elena Oggero. Thomas, a sophomore, had four goals and six assists last season. Oggero, a junior, had four goals and four helpers. 

Leading the Gibault defense will be junior centerback Kamille Grohmann. 

Starting in net for the Hawks is senior Elisabeth Schaefer, who logged 1,400-plus minutes last season as goalkeeper.

Other returning players for Gibault are senior Avery Gilpin and sophomores Karmon Grohman and Aja Bernardino. 

“While adding 10 new girls to the team this year, we can have those eight be the core of the team,” Haas said. “Every player on the team is going to play an integral part in what they are able to accomplish.”

While a traditionally tough regular season schedule against larger schools may lead to a deceiving overall record come playoff time, the Hawks are looking to raise some hardware at the end.

“The goal for this season is a regional title and to improve on the wins from last season,” Haas said. “We are going to give our best effort every game: win, lose, or draw. If we can accomplish that, we will be successful.”