Jeff Moeller, sports correspondent

Richmond Hill’s girls’ soccer season may have ended Monday in a 2-1 loss to Harrison in a state quarterfinal game, but the Wildcats appear to be in good shape to make another state run next season.

Although they will be without leading scorer Ella Peterson, who tallied 34 goals, and senior goalie Kamryn Martinez due to graduation, the Wildcats will nevertheless return a solid core from their 19-1 season.

During their season, Richmond Hill scored 110 goals and allowed just 10 goals in reaching the state quarterfinals for the first time since the 2022-23 season. They also captured their fifth straight regional title with an unblemished 10-0 record.

Sophomore Aubrey Fanning, who had 15 goals this season, will be one of the key returnees for the 2027 season. Fanning scored in the team’s 2-0 second-round victory over Norcross and says that she believed her team was headed to the semifinals.

“I feel like we should have won this game,” said Fanning. “We dominated the first half and scored. In the second half, we were up the whole half and had all the momentum.

“But for one moment, we turned our brains off, and they scored with 2 minutes left. Then I felt the momentum shift, and we couldn’t get ours back.

“I think my team played a hard, well-fought match, and I’m very proud of all my teammates for how great everyone played.”

Fanning envisions a possible mirror image of the team for next season.

“I think the team for next year has just the same capabilities as the team this year did,” said Fanning. “I believe we will still be a strong team, and we will have just the same chances as this year. I think the future is bright for this team next year, and we can accomplish great things.”

Fellow sophomore Sydney Shaw, who is also expected to be an anchor next year, viewed the season-ending loss as one that may have been prevented. She also sees a major loss in the lineup for next season.

“It was a really rough one,” said Shaw. “The game ended not the way we wanted to, but we just have to accept that our mistakes put us there. Our team was stacked with some of the toughest girls I’ve played with. I think it will be tough playing without Ella next year because she is just that dominant a player. Replacing her is just not possible.”

She will also work to take her game to the next level.

“I play year-round, but I plan to be doing a lot more training during the summer to work on a lot of things I know I could’ve done better on,” added Shaw. “I want to say that we could take the game to another level, but it is more than just me that has to be willing to work to get there.”

Junior Maggie Dodge, another core returnee, anticipated a deeper season run, but she still appreciated the season.

I thought the game was very good in the first half, but our left side broke down in the second half,” said Dodge. “We had a great season, and it was a very disappointing loss. We definitely could’ve made it further.

She doesn’t rule out a repeat for next season.

“I think this was definitely our best season for winning state,” said Dodge. “But if everyone trains in the offseason and works hard, we could have a chance at making it far next year.”

Freshman Karly Schultz, who made an impact with her seven goals, figured Harrison would be another major test. She also recognized the effect of the senior class.

“We played a highly competitive team, and we knew we had to take as many shots as possible,” said Schultz. “Our seniors brought a lot of energy and commitment to the game, especially our captains. They will be deeply missed.”

But Schultz knows next season will bring its share of new prospects.

“Next year, we will have to make some adjustments in the starting lineup, which will create opportunities for others,” said Schultz. “It will be exciting.”

Head coach Shawn Allen likes the initial makeup of his squad for next season.

“We have eight or nine returning starters for next season, and we had a very strong JV group,” said Allen. “I think many of them can come in and add to our roster next season.”

Allen also saw the year as a likely building block for next season.

“The girls had a magnificent season,” said Allen. “We took a big step in changing the culture of the program, and we look toward having a stronger returning team for next season.”