North Tonawanda Lady Jacks build around young roster, 10 returners

Overview

• North Tonawanda returns 10 players from last season, including four returning starters.
• Estelle Flores, a seventh grader, is expected to start most games in goal.
• Ashlynn Bolsover and Jessica Lindhurst are listed as captains.
• Brynn Frank is the returning breakout candidate and is expected to help organize the midfield.

Outlook

North Tonawanda enters the 2026 girls soccer season with a young roster and a lot of new opportunity.

Coach Hannah Crouch said the Lady Jacks return 10 players from last season, but only four starters. That gives the team a new look and makes chemistry a key early-season priority.

Crouch said the team's biggest strength is its willingness to learn and improve. With playing time available, she sees a group that is hungry, willing to work and ready to challenge each other.

The style goal is to possess the ball, work out of the back and use speed to attack when chances appear. The larger target is continual improvement from game to game.

Players to Watch

Ashlynn Bolsover and Jessica Lindhurst are listed as captains. Bolsover is also identified as a set-piece threat, while Crouch noted Lindhurst's postseason experience from a strong softball run as something that can help drive the team.

Brynn Frank is the returning player named as a likely breakout candidate, and she is also expected to help organize the midfield. Frank had four goals and one assist in 2025.

Mackenzie Formaniak is the incoming or newly featured player Crouch identified as a potential contributor. In goal, Estelle Flores is new to the position at this level; Crouch said the seventh grader is expected to start a majority of the games.

Bolsover brings back the top 2025 scoring line on the roster with five goals and three assists. Lindhurst added two goals and two assists in 2025 after scoring 12 goals in 2024, and Eleanor Steves had two goals and one assist in 2025.

Schedule

North Tonawanda's 2026 schedule includes September games with Kenmore West, Iroquois, Niagara Falls, Kenmore East, Lockport, Allegany-Limestone, Grand Island and Williamsville South.

October brings Lewiston-Porter, Niagara Wheatfield, Buffalo Public Schools, Kenmore West and Niagara Falls, with the regular-season schedule closing Oct. 15 at Niagara Falls.