Amy Mandia keeps Neshaminy grounded on the pitch
True competitors love a challenge. No matter what the odds, they thrive on playing their best. Amy Mandia, captain and center-midfielder for the Neshaminy girls soccer team, certainly fits that profile.
Last year, Amy scored the winning goal in Neshaminy’s overtime win over Spring-Ford in the state championship game, a thrill that would rank tops in any player’s career highlights.
“My biggest moment was definitely scoring in the state championship game. I was shocked. It happened so fast. The ball was there and I just kicked it in.’
Entering this, her senior year, Amy might have relaxed and rested on her laurels. Such complacency never entered her thinking.
“I never have a problem with setting the goals extremely high. I think we have enough talent to get to states. I would never set a goal lower than that. I think my team, as long as we have a goal, can fight for it and make it.’
Getting to states includes adjusting to the loss of such scoring talent as Megan Schafer, Katie Suchodoski, and Jess Kelly. This hot-toed trio accounted for 52 of Neshaminy’s goals. Also missing from the lineup is goalie McKenna Mullin, who recorded 18 shutouts. The combination produced an unblemished 25-0 record.
Being reigning state champs only increases the pressure on the newcomers. “After some of the games, we always hear, ‘ How good do you feel? You just beat the state champions.’ We have a target on our back. As we start to get comfortable, we’re going to start doing well.’
As proven veteran and captain, Amy realizes the role she needs to assume to help the young Neshaminy team gel. “I try to be a really good leader on the field and make a good impression on the rest of the team. If we go down a bit, I try to pump them up.’
Amy is a captain who leads by performing well herself. As a center-midfielder, she in essence is the quarterback of the team.
“I play there because I’m more technical. You have to have very good vision of the field and good ball control. The ball can’t just fly off your foot. You have to be able to see the field and the patterns of play.’
On Sept.15 in their big matchup with archrival Pennsbury, Amy demonstrated her skills as she led her teammates to a near upset of the present league frontrunners. With 12 minutes and 4 seconds left in regulation play, she booted a corner from the left side of the pitch to the right post. Maggie Daeche took advantage of the perfect strike by heading the ball past Falcon goalie Nane Santiago.
Amy remained positive despite the seemingly daunting task facing her team. “Obviously, we had a lot of older players on the field that we lost this year. We have a lot of new players and we have such good talent that came in. I just want them to feel comfortable when they step on the field with the rest of the team because it is obviously hard. I want them to be confident and relax and play their game.’
