Pioneer leans on senior leadership, physical edge entering 2026

Overview

• Coach Addie Edwards expects Pioneer to be competitive in league and nonleague play behind strong senior leadership.
• Ellie Edwards returns after a 16-goal, 10-assist 2025 season and, according to coach Addie Edwards, is committed to Long Island University for flag football and will also play soccer.
• Aiden Watson is expected to run more of a forward role and set up finishing opportunities, according to Edwards.
• Mykenna Rosier and Brook Schmidt are key defensive returners, while Payton Shuman is expected to fill the goalkeeper spot as a first-year varsity player.

Pioneer enters the 2026 girls soccer season with senior leadership, returning production and a physical identity that coach Addie Edwards wants to see carry into league and nonleague play.

Edwards said the team has “strong leadership” and should have a competitive season. She pointed to Ellie Edwards, Mykenna Rosier, Brook Schmidt and Aiden Watson as returning seniors who help shape the group.

Ellie Edwards is the centerpiece in midfield. The senior is expected to control the middle of the field, and she returns after scoring 16 goals with 10 assists in 2025. Edwards said she is also committed to Long Island University for flag football and will also play soccer.

Edwards said Watson will be running more of a forward role up top this season and will be “setting up our finishing opportunities.” Watson had seven goals and six assists in 2025 and is also identified as a set-piece threat.

On the back line, Edwards said Rosier can defensively shut opponents down and described her as “the glue” holding the defense together. Schmidt is another returning senior defender named in the coach’s returning group.

The goalkeeper spot is a transition point. Edwards said Payton Shuman looks to fill that role as a first-year varsity player, with eighth-grader Camryn Edwards a possible call-up to fill in as needed.

Edwards wants Pioneer to play with a physical edge after offseason lifting. She said the team’s goals include making that its “number 1 priority” and taking the division title back, with continued work needed on game play in the final third.

Pioneer’s schedule includes September matchups with Iroquois, Hamburg, Fulton Schools, Lake Shore, East Aurora, Mynderse and Waterloo, followed by October games against Maryvale, Iroquois, Maryvale again and East Aurora.