Regina Ploplis inherits an experienced roster as she begins her first season as Beachwood Girls Soccer‘s new head coach.
The Bison finished 11-3-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play last season before advancing to the sectional finals. Eight starters return from that squad along with five additional letterwinners, giving Beachwood a veteran foundation for the 2026 season.
Ploplis believes that experience could put the Bison in position to contend for a championship.
“I believe this team has the capability to compete for the conference title this season,” Ploplis said. “We have several strong returning players who bring experience and leadership, while also adding new faces to the program who we expect to make positive contributions. Our goal is to continue building throughout the season and make a strong postseason run.”
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Offense
Beachwood returns plenty of firepower, led by junior forward Zoe Walters.
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Walters made an immediate impact in her first season with the Bison, scoring 15 goals and adding eight assists for a team-high 38 points. She earned first-team all-conference and first-team All-Greater Cleveland honors.
“Zoe brings tremendous energy, work ethic, and competitiveness to the team,” Ploplis said. “She joined the team just last year and has already made a significant impact on our program.”
Senior Jocelyn Owens gives the Bison another experienced scoring threat up front. Owens finished last season with nine goals and three assists for 21 points and earned honorable mention all-conference and All-Greater Cleveland recognition.
She also will serve as one of Beachwood’s captains this fall.
“Jocelyn brings positivity and leadership every day while ensuring every player feels included and respected,” Ploplis said.
Beachwood also returns significant offensive production in the midfield.
Senior Marley Readance scored 10 goals and recorded eight assists for 28 points last season on her way to first-team all-conference and first-team All-Greater Cleveland honors.
Readance has served as a captain since her sophomore season and again will fill that leadership role in 2026.
“Marley has been a captain since her sophomore year and has consistently led her team by example,” Ploplis said. “She sets a high standard for her teammates to aspire to through her dedication and commitment to the program.”
Sophomore Victoria Price also returns in the center of the field after recording nine goals and three assists for 21 points as a freshman.
Price will take on an even larger role following graduation losses in the midfield.
“Victoria is a highly driven player who is committed to both her own success and the success of her team,” Ploplis said. “She brings knowledge to the field that her teammates respect and learn from.”
With Walters, Owens, Readance and Price all returning, Beachwood has several proven options in the attacking third.
Ploplis plans to take advantage of that athleticism.
“We plan to maximize our team’s strengths by utilizing our speed and athleticism, especially in our forward and winger positions,” she said. “We will focus on creating opportunities in the attack while continuing to improve our defensive organization and decision-making in all areas of the field.”
Defense
Beachwood’s experience extends to the back line, where junior defenders Julia Bravo and Mia Brecher return as starters and will serve as captains.
Bravo scored four goals and added an assist last season while earning second-team all-conference and honorable mention All-Greater Cleveland recognition.
Her impact, however, extends well beyond her nine points.
“Julia holds her teammates accountable in a manner that is constructive, effective, and motivating,” Ploplis said. “She draws on her experience to encourage her teammates to improve each day.”
Brecher added two goals and an assist last season and has emerged as another important leader.
“Mia represents a player with a true love for the game,” Ploplis said. “She comes to every practice and match with excitement, pride, and confidence, inspiring her teammates to bring that same energy.”
One of Beachwood’s biggest questions entering the season is in goal following graduation.
The Bison found an unconventional solution in junior Alison Stephens.
Stephens spent her first two varsity seasons in the midfield and produced nine goals and five assists for 23 points last fall. She earned second-team all-conference and honorable mention All-Greater Cleveland honors for her work in the field.
This season, she is moving into goal.
“Alison thrived as a center midfielder during her previous two seasons,” Ploplis said. “This year, she has embraced the role of goalkeeper, showing an impressive commitment to her team and representing what it means to be a team player.”
Stephens’ willingness to make the move helps address one of Beachwood’s biggest graduation losses.
“We have some important roles to fill due to graduation, particularly in center midfield and goalkeeper,” Ploplis said. “While we are working through our options, Victoria Price, a returning starting varsity center midfielder, will help provide leadership and stability in the midfield. Alison Stephens, another returning starting varsity player, has transitioned into the goalkeeper position after previously playing center midfield and has embraced this opportunity to contribute to the team’s success in a new role.”
The Bison’s ability to remain organized defensively while Stephens adjusts to her new position will be an important factor in their championship pursuit.
Keys to Success
Beachwood returns proven production throughout its lineup, but Ploplis believes the Bison’s success will depend on how effectively those individual pieces work together.
“Our success will come from strong communication, movement off the ball, and working as a team to create scoring opportunities,” Ploplis said.
Beachwood’s speed should allow it to create chances in transition and put pressure on opposing defenses, but the Bison also want to become more consistent with their defensive organization and decision-making.
With an experienced core in place, Ploplis has been encouraged by the team’s approach entering the season.
“We have an eager and motivated team that is ready for the season ahead,” she said. “Our players have shown a strong commitment to improving each day and are dedicated to reaching their individual and team goals.”
Outlook
Beachwood enters 2026 with legitimate reasons to believe it can contend for a conference championship.
The Bison return eight starters, and five additional letterwinners from a team that finished 11-3-2 and reached the sectional finals, and much of their offensive production is back.
Walters gives Beachwood an established scoring threat after producing 38 points last season, while Readance, Owens and Price provide additional proven options in the attack and midfield.
Bravo and Brecher bring experience and leadership to the defense, and Stephens’ move to goalkeeper could help the Bison replace one of their most significant graduation losses.
There will be adjustments under a first-year head coach and at several key positions, but Beachwood isn’t starting over. Ploplis takes over a veteran group that already has experienced winning together.
If the Bison can capitalize on their speed, remain organized defensively and develop Stephens in goal, they should have an opportunity to improve upon last year’s 11-win season, challenge for the conference championship and make the deeper postseason run Ploplis believes is within their reach.
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2026-2027 Beachwood Bison Girls Soccer Schedule
Date Opponent Result Time Location Aug. 14, 2026
Friday
Orange LionsW 1-0 6:00 PM Beachwood High School Stadium Aug. 17, 2026
MondayL 0-1 6:00 PM Alumni Stadium Aug. 19, 2026
WednesdayL 1-2 6:00 PM Shaker Heights HS Stadium Field Aug. 25, 2026
Tuesday
Hawken HawksW 2-1 6:30 PM Beachwood High School Stadium Aug. 27, 2026
ThursdayW 1-0 7:00 PM Beachwood Sep. 8, 2026
TuesdayW 11-0 6:00 PM Beachwood High School Stadium Watch Sep. 10, 2026
ThursdayTBA Beachwood Sep. 15, 2026
TuesdayW 2-0 5:30 PM Corlew Stadium Watch Sep. 17, 2026
ThursdayW 11-0 5:00 PM Beachwood Watch Sep. 24, 2026
ThursdayL 1-2 7:00 PM Cuyahoga Heights Watch Sep. 28, 2026
Monday
SVSML 0-1 7:00 PM St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Watch Oct. 1, 2026
ThursdayW 3-0 5:00 PM Beachwood High School Stadium Oct. 3, 2026
Saturday7:00 PM Harry E. Winters Field Oct. 5, 2026
MondayL 1-2 7:00 PM Beachwood High School Stadium Oct. 8, 2026
Thursday5:00 PM Lake Catholic High School Oct. 8, 2026
ThursdayT 0-0 6:30 PM Fairview Watch Oct. 12, 2026
MondayT 2-2 5:00 PM Lake Catholic Oct. 13, 2026
TuesdayW 5-0 6:00 PM Falcon Pride Stadium Oct. 15, 2026
Thursday
VASJ VikingsW 9-2 5:00 PM Beachwood High School Stadium Oct. 22, 2026
Thursday
Conneaut SpartansPOSTSEASONW 4-0 7:00 PM Beachwood Watch Oct. 27, 2026
Tuesday
HubbardPOSTSEASONW 2-0 7:00 PM Hubbard Oct. 31, 2026
Saturday
PolandPOSTSEASONL 0-1 2:00 PM Chardon
Perry Pirates
Shaker Heights
Independence Blue Devils
Brooklyn Hurricanes
Edgewood Warriors
Trinity Trojans
Cuyahoga Heights Red Wolves
North Rangers
Willoughby South Rebels
Cleveland Heights
Lake Catholic Cougars
Fairview Warriors
Jefferson Falcons
