Ellicottville Lady Eagles blend senior leadership, speed entering 2026

Overview

• Tammy Eddy said Ellicottville has nine returning players and five seniors who have established themselves as leaders for the underclassmen.
• The Lady Eagles' expected strengths are chemistry and speed, with passing and communication as points of emphasis.
• Eliza Murray, Ainsley Edwards and Juliana O'Connell are the captains, while Ella Weber is expected to organize the midfield.
• Murray, Juleana Lyon, O'Connell, Edwards and Ady Andrews give Ellicottville notable returning production from 2025-26.

Lady Eagles return leaders, keeper

Ellicottville enters 2026 with a returning core coach Tammy Eddy believes has grown since last season.

"I have 9 returning players and I have seen improvement in their skills since last season," Eddy said. "We hope to be competitive and have a successfull season."

The Lady Eagles went 10-7 in 2025-26. This year's group is built around five seniors Eddy said have established themselves as strong leaders for the underclassmen.

Eliza Murray, Ainsley Edwards and Juliana O'Connell are the captains. Edwards also brings leadership that Eddy said may not always show in a box score; Eddy described her as "a confident and Kind leader."

The goalkeeper spot has continuity, too. Eddy said Ellicottville has its keeper returning from last season. Ady Andrews, a Class of 2027 keeper, made 61 saves in 2025-26.

Returning production

Murray, a Class of 2027 defender, is the returning player Eddy identified as a potential breakout or step-forward player. Murray had seven goals and three assists in 2025-26.

Juleana Lyon, a Class of 2028 forward, is the set-piece player to watch. She had eight goals and three assists in 2025-26.

O'Connell, a Class of 2027 forward, added five goals and two assists last season, while Edwards, a Class of 2027 midfielder, had one goal and five assists.

Ella Weber, a Class of 2029 midfielder, is expected to organize the midfield and help control the way Ellicottville plays. Taylor Perks, a Class of 2029 forward, is the incoming, promoted or newly featured player Eddy said could become an important contributor.

Eddy said the team's biggest strengths are chemistry and speed. The Lady Eagles want to focus on passing and communication, while helping younger players build their skills.

Schedule landmarks

Ellicottville's listed schedule opens Sept. 1 at Chautauqua Lake before home matches against Springville, Cattaraugus-Little Valley and Westfield/Brocton.

The September schedule continues with home dates against Pine Valley/Gowanda and Franklinville, plus road matches at Randolph, Salamanca, North Collins and Cattaraugus-Little Valley. October brings road matches at Pine Valley/Gowanda, Westfield/Brocton, Franklinville and Springville, along with home matches against Randolph and Salamanca.

Eddy's broader outlook is simple: "The Lady Eagles have the potential to do great things this season."