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Maggie Kovalcik — Oak Glen

2 min read

The goals and the accolades piled up last year for Oak Glen's Maggie Kovalcik and she returns as a senior to pick up where she left off.

Kovalcik finished with 35 goals and 15 assists to earn first team all-state and all-valley honors.

She also led the Golden Bears to an OVAC Championship win over St. Clairsville, a sectional title, a 16-5-1 record and fell just short of reaching the state tournament, a goal that is within reach this year.

"Last year was the best we have done as a school overall for one year," Oak Glen coach Ryan Wells said. "We were just a few wins from the state championship and we are basically returning everyone.

"Our short-term goals are to win the OVAC Championship again and then get to a state championship."

Kovalcik was once again chosen as the team captain for the second straight year and if she continues at a rapid goal-scoring pace, she could reach a very impressive milestone in the upcoming campaign.

"Maggie is looking to score her 100th career goal this year,' Wells said. "She will need another 30-plus goal season but we have high expectations for her.

"We have a very unselfish team and a group of girls behind her who will work towards individual goals as they strive for team goals."

Along with her goal-scoring skills, what sets Kovalcik apart is her leadership characteristics.

"The senior leadership we have is just immense," Wells said. "That makes life so much easier as a coach.

"Maggie leads team building things and she is a player that we won't be able to replace next year.

"If you asked her how many goals she scored last year, she wouldn't even know. When you have kids like that, that's where the success comes from."

Kovalcik displayed her athleticism on the track, as well, earning a state championship in the long jump.

"She has quick speed and high end speed," Wells said. "Even with the ball it can be hard to catch her and she is complimented by a group of girls who play a lot of soccer behind her."

Sophomore Reece Enochs and Kovalcik made for a dynamic duo last year as Enochs tallied 34 goals and 13 assists as a freshman.

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