Talent, expectations abound for Reporter/Montgomery/Times Herald girls soccer teams
When the clock ran out on Lansdale Catholic in the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals last season, it spelled the end of the line for girls soccer teams in The Reporter, Montgomery Media and The Times Herald coverage areas.
Along the way, there had been some record-setting performances, breakthroughs for programs, breakout years by players and some things left unfinished. As dawn breaks on a new season, teams and athletes across the area are ready to begin their campaigns, most of them with clear directives on what needs to be accomplished this season.
Lansdale Catholic is one of those teams. After reaching the Philadelphia Catholic League title game and falling to Archbishop Ryan, the Crusaders want to hoist the league trophy this year and try to take the next step in the state bracket. Record-scoring forward Kate Henesey, just a junior, leads the LC attack as it heads into the PCL.
The Suburban One League is adjusting to a few realignment changes, as well as the state realignment to four classifications from last year’s three. The SOL Continental again looks to be loaded, with Central Bucks East coming off a state final appearance, Central Bucks South’s rugged defense mostly intact after its deep state run and Pennridge, Central Bucks West, Souderton and North Penn looking to make noise.
CB West is just two years removed from its own state title and has a large crop of seniors ready to show last year was just the set-up for something big this year. Likewise, Pennridge’s big group of seniors, most of them key players for the last three years, wants to finally break through and get to the state stage after years of heartbreak in the district brackets.
Over in the SOL American, Upper Dublin is looking to continue its hold on the top of the table after back-to-back years with at least a share of the prize. But the Cardinals will have fierce competition from a senior-heavy Wissahickon group and newcomer Quakertown.
Expect high-scoring games to be at a premium, with a plethora of excellent defenders back across the board. Pennridge’s defense has been strong for years, led by Erin Stevenson and Dani Meenan while Souderton’s Sara Cassel is coming off a first-team all-league season. Cheltenham’s got plenty of experience in the back while Upper Dublin will look to Lexi Schneider to lead the defense.
Of course, there’s a solid crop of forwards and midfielders returning as well looking to cause headaches for back lines and keepers. Dock Mennonite Academy, winners of the last four District 1 Class A titles, has some solid midfielders in the likes of Megan Swintosky and Marissa Campo. Mary Kate Vinkler at CB West is an all-around threat in the middle of the park while Pennridge’s Katie Fischer is excellent at dictating the attack as a central mid.
Wissahickon’s Maddie Elwell is dynamic wide player while Archbishop Wood looks to Soifa Filippo as its midfield leader.
In the AACA, Gwynedd Mercy brings in a new coach and a new look after graduating some program stalwarts. The Monarchs are still looking to compete with Villa Joseph Marie for the league title, but should expect tough local competition from Mount Saint Joseph and St. Basil.
Every team enters the year chasing something, but the one constant is that there should be an expectation of good soccer all around.
ABINGTON
2015 Record: 12-6-1 (8-5-1 SOL National)
Head Coach: Rick Tompkins
Notable Losses: Toni Washington (defender), Maddie Doyle (Midfield), Marissa Heath (Defender), Julia Guarini (Forward)
Players to Watch: Camryn Lexow (So.-Midfield), Kathryn Gerhard (Sr.-Defender)
Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts will be a vastly different looking team in 2016 but they have one of the top young talents in the SOL National with Lexow, a dynamic midfielder who can also feature in the final third. The league will again be tough with Neshaminy, Pennsbury and CR North, so the young players coming up will have to grow quickly.
ARCHBISHOP WOOD
2015 Record: 13-6-1 (9-1-1 PCL)
Head Coach: Bill Cappo (23rd season)
Assistant Coach: Dan Finello
Notable Losses: Claire Bassetti defender, Erin Eckert midfield, MacKensie Conricode defender, Paige McQuillen GK, Sam Bacarri GK
Players to Watch: Sofia Filippo (Midfield/Senior, St Joseph’s commit), Caitlyn Cliggett (Midfield-Defender/Junior), Kylie Menarde (Defender/Senior), Lauren Ruth (Forward/Sophomore), Paige Sellers (Midfield-Forward/Junior)
Outlook: “Our team is young but the players have a great attitude and a good work ethic. The team has set goals to win the PCL and District 12 PIAA.”
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST
2015 Record: 7-7-2 (6-6-2 SOL Continental)
Head Coach: Chris Fehrle (1st season)
Notable Losses: Lindsay Morgan (Forward)
Players to Watch: Mary Kate Vinkler (Sr.- Forward/Midfield), Allison Walsh (Jr.-Defender), Camryn Albrecht (Sr.-Midfield), Jenny Sutorious (Sr.-GK), Samantha Lubin (Jr.-Midfield), Megan Gallagher (Jr-Midfield)
Outlook: Chris Fehrle becomes the Bucks’ third coach in the last three seasons but brings plenty of experience from time as Germantown Academy’s boys’ coach. CB West has a wealth of talent across the board and the upperclassmen are hungry after a retooling season last year. Vinkler is an excellent player and will look to guide her team into to the postseason.
CHELTENHAM
2015 Record: 5-12 (4-10 SOL American)
Head Coach: Mark Woodcock (10th Season)
Assistant Coach: Steve Midzak
Notable Losses: Carly Waldman, Willa Douglas, Anya Capps
Players to Watch: Liza Becker (Sr.-Defender),/ Krissy Rycek (Sr.-Defender), Amber Turner (Sr.-Midfield), Christina Morton (Sr.-Midfield), Olivia Tuszl (Sr.-Midfield), Paige Kytzidis (Sr.-Midfield), Dana Shelton (Sr.-Forward), Ruby Tomasic (Sr.-Forward), Eliana Weiler (Jr.-GK), Zoe Moreland (Fr.-Defender), Elin McLaughlin (Fr.-Defender)
Outlook: “Senior heavy starting line up with a great deal of experience, very inexperienced underclassmen. Fast and with very good understanding of the game but have a hard time against bigger, stronger teams. With a senior heavy starting line up Cheltenham is in a good position to be a dark horse this year. Defense should be one of Cheltenham’s strong points anchored by 1st team all-league keeper Eliana Weiler, four year starter Liza Becker and fast rising Krissy Rycek. Four strong , intelligent, midfielders in Morton, Turner, Kytzidis and Tuszl should provide a base for a quick strike attack led by Dana Shelton and Ruby Tomasic. After three years of significant improvement this year is Cheltenham’s best opportunity to really show they belong among the better teams in the league.”
DOCK MENNONITE ACADEMY
2015 Record: 17-4 (9-0 BAL).
Head Coach: Ray Hess (9th season).
Assistant Coach: Don Coumo.
Notable Losses: Nikki Clements, Maddie Swartley, Madison Landis, Sharon Curtis.
Players to Watch: Mia Bevilaqua (Sr.-Midfield/Forward/Defender), Megan Swintosky (Sr.-Midfield), Marissa Campo (Sr.-Forward/Midfield), McKenzie Swartley (Jr.-Forward/Midfield), Rachel Shreiner (Jr.-Midfield/Forward), Audrey Schweizerhof (So.-GK).
Outlook: Four times District 1-A champion, the Pioneers enter the season with some experienced players but having to fill the gaping hole up top vacated by Clements. Coach Ray Hess has a lot of versatile players he can plug in numerous positions and his girls are eager and willing to learn. Finding some players to step up as leaders early will be key.
GERMANTOWN ACADEMY
2015 Record: Overall 22 – 3 – 2 (9 – 2 – 1 Inter-Ac); PAISAA State Champions
Head Coach: Chris Nelson (6th season)
Assistant Coaches: Kelli Kaput, Katie Martin and Kacie Kergides
Key Losses: Sophie Axenroth (Defender, playing at Cornell), Kat Stambaugh (Keeper)
Players to Watch: Brynn Skelly (Midfielder/Sr.), Emily Williams (Midfielder/Sr.), Mac Pluck (Forward/Jr.), Bailey Gilmore (Forward/Jr.), Annie Peterson (Forward/Jr.), Rachel Villari (Defender/Jr.), Allison Clark (Midfielder/So.)
Outlook: “With a core of returning players, GA will, again, hope to contend for a league title and to find success in the PAISSA tournament. With graduates at two key defensive positions, GA will look to some new faces to fill roles in the goal and on the back line. With a host of returning attacking players, the offense will look to build upon the success found over the course of the past two years and to continue to find multiple ways to find the back of the net. The team looks to maintain their attitude and their work ethic as they embark on a very competitive schedule – both in the league and beyond.”
GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY
2015 Record: 17-4-1
Head Coach: Tom Knoll (1st season)
Assistant Coaches: Derik Stover, Rory Burns
Key Losses: Erica DeCandido, Maggie Cameron, Mary Claire Casey
Players to Watch: Kim Sanford, Meghan Corso, Shea Tomlinson, Bridget Casey
Outlook: Knoll takes over a top program in the AACA that’s looking to replace one of the most successful classes in some time. He has a solid foundation to work with, though the departed players’ production stretched beyond the pitch. Getting a consistent lineup clicking will go a long way once league play begins.
HATBORO-HORSHAM
2015 Record: 1-16 (1-13 SOL Continental)
Head Coach: Ike Onyeador (2nd season)
Players to Watch: Miranda Royds (Sr.-GK), Lauren Kim (Sr.-Defender), Erica Paluszek (Jr.-Midfield)
Outlook: The Hatters make the move over to the American as they look to gain some stability and build for the future. Royds, a Lehigh recruit, has been rock-steady in the net.
LANSDALE CATHOLIC
2015: 16-7-1
Head Coach: Tom O’Donnell (25th season)
Assistant Coaches: Armando Moral, Jaime Lancaster
Notable Losses: Tara Sheridan, Sarah Opdyke
Players to Watch: Kate Henesey (Jr.-Forward), Erin Toburen (Sr.-Midfield), Lena Starpoli (Sr.-Midfield), Sarah Cooney (Sr.-Defender), Colbie Cummings (Sr.-Defender), Erin O’Sullivan (Sr.-Midfielder)
Outlook: The Crusaders had a record season last year, making the PCL final and reaching the state quarterfinals. Kate Henesey also had a record year, netting 31 goals and has committed to play at Bucknell. A big senior core has LC poised to try and improve upon last season, with eyes on a PCL title and pushing further into the state bracket.
LOWER MORELAND
Notable Losses: Bridgette Alexander, Erica Fleck
Players to Watch: Kayla O’Malley (Jr.), Miah Gomez (Jr.), Allison Asman (So.)
Outlook: For the first time in four years, the Lions won’t have Bridgette Alexander on the roster. It will be a new era for Lower Moreland, but this is a well-coached team that’s usually right in the thick of the BAL race and a consistent presence in the district playoffs.
MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH ACADEMY
2015 Record: 11-6 in the regular season, 8-4 in our league (AACA).
Head Coach: Bill Naydan (1st season)
Assistants: Bill Naydan Sr., Kerriann Kane
Notable Losses: Charlotte Sands (goalkeeper), Mary Katherine Maloney (midfielder).
Players to Watch: Captains Aly Carpenter (central defender), Ashley Pyne (attacking midfielder), and Angela Gervasi (striker/midfielder) along with Paige Comtois (striker/winger), who led the varsity team in assists last year (8) to go along with 4 goals.
Key Games: Gwynedd Mercy Academy (away on Thursday 9/8 at 4:00 PM, and home on Thursday 9/29 at 3:45 PM).
Outlook: “We are expecting to have a great, successful season this year. We have wonderful varsity leadership with 11 seniors to lead the way. We have 12 returning varsity players including 7 returning starters. We are going into this season with the expectation that if we work as hard as we can and prepare to the best of our abilities, we are putting ourselves in the position to win each game we play. We will be working hard over the next few weeks with practicing and conditioning to prepare for the difficult but hopefully very successful season.”
NORTH PENN
2015 Record: 9-8-2 (6-6-2 SOL Continental)
Head Coach: Jim Dehner (7th season)
Assistant Coaches: Tim Fry, Mike Rio, Gina Sciotto, Drew Schmidt
Notable Losses: Tina Miller, Liz Volz, Hannah Alexander, Jani Johnsston, Kristin Wilkinson
Players to Watch: Riley Houlihan (Sr.), Anna Pedicone (Sr.), Hannah Lambert (Sr.), Amelia Eshraghi (jr.)
Outlook: The Knights bring in a good blend of upper and lowerclassmen that had some quality results last season. A positive attitude should allow veteran and young players to continue to mesh well as North Penn pursues a playoff spot.
NORRISTOWN
2015 Record: 1-15 (0-14 SOL American)
Outlook: Norristown makes the jump over to the Pioneer Athletic Conference with the hopes that a change of scenery sparks a fresh start and new success.
PENNRIDGE
2015 Record: 12-5-2 (8-4-2 SOL Continental)
Head Coach: Audrey Anderson (5th season)
Notable Losses: Jess Milligan
Players to Watch: Erin Stevenson (Sr.-Defender), Katie Fischer (Sr.-Midfielder), Kennedy Peace (Sr.-Forward), Kouri Peace (So.-Forward), Rachel Velez (Sr.-Defender), Melissa Lyon (Sr.-F)
Outlook: The Rams’ core returns for one last campaign together after snapping their first-round playoff hex last season. Taking the next step will be the goal of this group before they go their separate ways. It’s a well-balanced bunch in all three areas of the field.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH
2015 Record: 8-7-2 (8-4-2 SOL)
Head Coach: Ryan Zehren (1st season)
Assistant Coaches: TJ DeLucia, Ryan Kirby, Kerri-Anne Ciesielka
Players to Watch: Ragan Ebersol, Victoria Betterly, Alyse Caffery
Outlook: The Colonials have a new coaching staff as they look to return to the top of the SOL American conference. Some new faces on the field will try to mix with the veterans as the new coaches hope for an up-tempo style on the attacking side of the ball. The coaches hope to be in playoff contention come October.
SAINT BASIL ACADEMY
2015 Record: 9-9.
Head Coach: Jack Kilroy
Assistant Coaches: Pat McCarthy, Melanie Stauble, Dario Tobin
Players to Watch: Lauren Baldo, Brielle Piecyk, Madeline McCrea, Brooke Shissler
Outlook: After making the program’s first playoff appearance in eight seasons, the Panthers are hoping to build on the experience. Playing in the AACA is a tough task with games against Villa Joseph Marie, Gwynedd Mercy Academy and Mount Saint Joseph among others. The players are motivated to make a mark on the league tables.
SPRINGFIELD-MONTCO
2015 Record: 8-7-1
Head Coach: Suzette Wolf (6th year)
Assistants: Dan Malora, Dwayne Henry
Notable Losses: none
Players to Watch: Lindsay Smith (sweeper), Emily Giampietro (center midfield), Katie Fitzpatrick (goalie)
Outlook: “Springfield is once again a very young team with a great deal of potential, we will play with a lot of heart and determination, our goal is to once again advance to the playoffs.”
SOUDERTON
2015 Record: 9-8-2 (6-6-2 SOL Continental)
Head Coach: Chris Felber (3rd season)
Notable Losses: Hannah Schmidt, Kylie Heath
Players to Watch: Sara Cassel (Sr.-Defender), Bri DiRenzi (Jr.-Midfield), Cara McCausland (Jr.-Forward), Tori Dowd (Jr.-Forward)
Outlook: Fresh off their first playoff appearance in several years, Big Red will continue building under coach Chris Felber. With a couple of lynchpin defenders graduating, Souderton will have some big holes to plug on the strength of last year’s squad, the back line. But a young attack is a year wiser and seems ready to pick up the slack.
UPPER DUBLIN
2015 Record: 13-5-1 (12-1-1 SOL American)
Head Coach: John Topper (15th season)
Assistant Coaches: Andy Meehan, Marcello D’Agostino
Notable Losses: Devon Magarity, Becca Watson, Becky Haber
Players to Watch: Lexi Schneider (Defender), Paige Lawtown (Midfielder), Elizabeth Lawton (Forward), Shannon Haig (Defender), Priya Kaneria (Midfielder)
Outlook: “We expect to field a strong side this year, but also realize that the dynamics of the league change, with Hatboro-Horsham and Quakertown joining the American Conference. Our depth and flexibility will be our strengths this year and we hope to be in contention for another conference title.”
UPPER MERION
2015 Record: 2-12-3 (2-9-3 SOL American)
Head Coach: Jeff Kushner (1st season)
Outlook: Jeff Kushner takes over a Vikings program entering a new era in the Pioneer Athletic Conference while trying to build a foundation for the future. He’s looking to develop a tough mentality with every player from the starters to the reserves finding and embracing their role within the team.
UPPER MORELAND
2015 Record: 8-8-3 (6-6-2 SOL American)
Head Coach: Lisa Benvenuto (4th year)
Assistant Coaches: John Kolla, Tina Buccini
Players to Watch: Kim Benge (Sr.-GK), Samantha Cancel (Sr.-Defender), Madison Pisut (Sr.-Midfielder), Maggie Finn (Sr-Midfielder), Brianna Byard (Sr.-Forward), Christina Kane (Sr.-Forward)
Outlook: “With eleven returning seniors, the Bears come into the 2016 season with a positive outlook and a strong sense of strength and leadership. This team has the desire to continue to improve from last season, and continue to further the Upper Moreland Girls Soccer program. For the first time, in many, many years, the Bears will be fielding not only a Varsity squad, but also, a Junior Varsity team.”
WILLIAM TENNENT
2015 Record: 9-7-2 (6-6-2 SOL National)
Head Coach: James Barry (3rd season)
Notable Losses: Rachel McCabe, Emily Wasserlieben
Players to Watch: Nikki Reh, Shannon McGuinn
Outlook: The Panthers have shifted from the SOL National to the Continental. The level of competition will still be very high, with games against CB South, CB East and Pennridge replacing Neshaminy, CR North and Pennsbury. Tennent does return a decent amount of experience as it adjusts to its new opposition.
WISSAHICKON
2015 Record: 13-6-1 (11-2-1 SOL American)
Head Coach: Shannon Creamer-Franke
Notable Losses: Talia Abrahams, Mady Foglia, Keanna Haney
Players to Watch: Maddie Elwell (Sr.-Midfielder), Jasmine Bishop (Jr.-Midfielder), Emily Vervlied (Sr.-Defender), Krista Memis (Sr.-Forward)
Outlook: The Trojans enter the season with eyes on an SOL American title and expanding on their second round district playoff appearance from last season. Elwell, a Vanderbilt recruit, is one of the top players in the entire SOL and she’s got plenty of support from her fellow seniors. Matches with Upper Dublin and new league foe Quakertown will be highlights along with some tough non-league contests.
Top Photo: The Lansdale Catholic girls soccer team dribble as they sprint during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. (Bob Raines/Digital First Media)
