The OCHS girls soccer team will begin their season on Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. against Monroe Area. The season will consist of seven region games. The Patriots are coached by Erich Forschler, Josh Austin, and Taylor Doherty. (Graphic/ Avery Cameron)
Coaching both varsity soccer teams at Oglethorpe County was unstainable for Erich Forschler, so he decided to focus solely on the girls this season.
“I had to pick one,” said Forschler, who coached both the girls and boys teams in 2024. “Last year, both teams got half of me. And no team got my best.”
The OCHS girls finished 6-7 overall and 3-3 in their region last spring. In the first round of the playoffs, OCHS beat Commerce 6-1 before falling to Paideia 8-0 in the second round.
Josh Austin, last season's assistant coach, now leads the boys team, which finished 7-7, 4-2 in region play, securing second place.
“I wanted to help coach Forschler so he didn’t have to do both again this year,” Austin said. “It’s a spot that opened up and I saw a need, so I decided to fill it.”
After losing 2024 graduates Emmaleigh Hemingway and Abby Cabaniss, who accounted for 60% of OCHS’ offensive production, and goalkeeper Anna Adams, the Patriots are focusing on all skill sets.
The squad features six seniors, including two first-time players and four veterans who have been part of the program since their freshmen year. Among them are Forschler’s daughters, Emily and Madeleine, who add a personal motivation to make this season memorable.
Genesis Palma, Harper Palmer, Liz Hernandez and Su Moo are the other seniors.
“Anytime you have you lose players and add different players, it changes the whole dynamic,” Forschler said.
The Patriots moved into a tougher region with stronger competition. Unlike last year, where winning the region was a primary goal, the emphasis now is on getting better each game, regardless of results.
“Overall goal No. 1, get better every day,” Forschler said. “The other thing is that we have fun while doing it.”