Niagara Wheatfield Lady Falcons Lean on Senior Leadership, Defensive Core

Overview

• The Lady Falcons return three senior starting defenders in Evelyn Collins, Laila Ferguson and Hailey Werth.
• Senior captains Evelyn Collins, Eliana Higgins and Hailey Werth lead a group Monahan described as balanced between younger players and senior leadership.
• Lily Pierzonka is expected to take over as the starting goalkeeper after gaining experience as a backup last season.
• Niagara Wheatfield opens at Williamsville North on Sept. 1, then meets Pioneer on Sept. 4 and North Tonawanda on Sept. 10.

Niagara Wheatfield enters the 2026 girls soccer season with a mix head coach Larry Monahan likes: returning senior leadership, younger players pushing into larger roles and a defensive base already familiar with varsity responsibility.

“We are a good balance of younger players and returning senior leadership that is going to be competitive in a very competitive NFL league,” Monahan said.

The Lady Falcons’ back line is the starting point. Monahan cited three returning senior starting defenders: Evelyn Collins, Laila Ferguson and Hailey Werth. Collins and Werth are also captains, joining senior midfielder Eliana Higgins in that role.

Higgins is expected to organize the midfield and help control how Niagara Wheatfield plays. She had two goals and three assists in 2025, while sophomore Olivia Pavicich added two goals and one assist last season. Monahan identified Pavicich as a returning player who could take a significant step forward, describing her as “a high motor, high energy player who makes all the little plays in the game that often leads to other players big plays.”

The midfield also includes Gabriella Opacie, who Monahan listed among the returning starters, and newly featured senior Emmeline Berg, whom he identified as a potential contributor. Harper Failing returns as a forward/midfielder after one goal and one assist in 2025, and Monahan pointed to her as an important threat on set pieces.

In goal, senior Lily Pierzonka is set for a larger role. Monahan said Pierzonka gained valuable experience in limited time as the backup keeper last season and “has already shown she is ready to take over the responsibilities of being our starting goaltender this season.” Pierzonka made 37 saves in 265 minutes in 2025.

Monahan said the team’s identity will be built around solid defense, counterattacks and team play. He listed balanced team play and defensive responsibility as strengths, with continued chemistry as the area to keep developing.

Niagara Wheatfield opens at Williamsville North on Sept. 1 before facing Pioneer on Sept. 4 and North Tonawanda on Sept. 10. Later schedule landmarks include Niagara Falls on Sept. 14, Orchard Park on Sept. 16, Lockport on Sept. 22 and Grand Island on Sept. 24.

The goal, Monahan said, is to “continue to grow together as a team and get better each game.”