It’s fair to say that Bradford High’s girls golf team may have a target on its back this fall!

The Lady Owls are coming off their second straight unbeaten season, and are the defending North Penn Woods League and District 9 Class AAA champions.

Ninth year head coach Judy Abbey is hoping her team is up for the challenge.

“We only have 12 girls on the team, but six are returning lettermen,” Abbey explained. “We would like to repeat as league and district champions and we have the ability, but the girls are really going to have to work hard. We have to replace a tremendous player in Kate Colella who is at Mercyhurst.”

The success of this year’s team could fall on the shoulders of returning seniors Erin Pecora and Amelia Chapman.

“Our two seniors have never lost a match, so that should be a big incentive for them,” Abbey pointed out.

“Erin is a three-year letterwinner and was a North Penn League all-star selection. She was also on our District 9 championship team last season.

“She is a good ball striker and has one of the nicest swrings of any girl that I’ve coached. She works at her game and is real consistent. She played in the Penn-York League this summer and medaled twice. She has also played on other courses and has really worked on the mental aspect of the game.

“Amelia was also a member of our District championship team and is a three-year letterwinner. She is a better short game player and is consistent … down the middle all the time. She played quite a bit this summer.”

Three junior letterwinners return this season — Makayla Belser, Makensi Belser and Bry Stahlman.

“This is Makayla’s second year on the team,” noted Abbey. “She played in the Penn-York League and dropped her score by 15 strokes. She is a long ball hitter and has become more consistent. She likes the game and has worked hard on it.

“Makensi is a left-hander which makes it a little different, but she also dropped strokes from her game playing in the Penn-York League this summer. She’s good around the green which helps because that is a lot of your game.”

“Bry lettered as a sophomore, so she’s a two-year letterwinner. She won a nine-hole tournament in Coudersport, so she has the ability. She just needs to keep working on her game.”

Abbey has just one sophomore letterwinner on the team, Bri Wells.

“Bri had not played golf until she came out as a freshman. She is a true athlete who wants to learn the sport and excel at it. She can get the ball in the fairway and really works hard,” said the Lady Owls coach.

A welcomed addition to the team this season is junior Sam Williams.

“Sam is a pleasant surprise and I can see her making our starting lineup,” Abbey emphasized. “She has a natural swing which is very helpful and won’t have to start from scratch. She could play in a lot of matches.”

Completing the roster, are juniors Sapphire Wallin, who played last year, and Taylor Keyes; along with freshmen Sophia Oliver, Cailie Shanks and Brooke Hughes.  

“Smethport, Cameron County, Kane and Coudersport are all strong, but I think we can be right up there with the top teams,” said Abbey. “Our girls have worked hard this summer and we had more of them play in the Penn-York League than ever before. The bottom line is practice and playing and they showed their intentions to play well.”

The Lady Owls will play their home matches at Pine Acres unless otherwise noted.

The 2014 shedule follows:

AUGUST

19 — PORT ALLEGANY

21 — At Cameron County

25 — SMETHPORT

27 — COUDERSPORT (Pennhills Club)

SEPTEMBER

2 — Kane (Pennhills Club)

4 — At Coudersport Invitational

8 — PORT ALLEGANY

11 — CAMERON COUNTY

15 — At Smethport

17 — At Coudersport

23 — KANE

25 — At North Penn Woods Championship

29 — At District 9 Championship