In the past three seasons, Wyomissing has won three division titles, two Berks championships, three District 3 Class 2A titles and advanced as far as the PIAA Class 2A semifinals last year.
What has eluded the Spartans’ senior class — and the program as a whole — is a berth in the state final, something that Wyomissing has never achieved.
However, the Spartans, the defending county and District 3 Class 2A champions, are focused on changing that this season.
“We’re really aiming for that state championship this year,” junior defender Audrey Hurleman said. “Everyone needs to want it this year.”
While Wyomissing is striving to reach uncharted heights, it also looks to uphold its tradition of success. The Spartans have not lost a league game since 2019 and have lost just two games in each of the past three seasons.
“When you’re on the top, you want to stay on the top,” Wyomissing coach Rachel Hoffman said. “They’re pretty lofty goals, but if everybody is on the same page and we’re taking it one day at a time, we’ll hopefully achieve those.”
While they lost three-time All-Berks selection Cadi Hoke to graduation, the Spartans return all but three players from last year’s roster, including All-Berks selections Sophia Zeppos, Annie McCaffrey and Hurleman, and all-division selections Dulce Lytle and Mackey Lentz. Zeppos, McCaffrey, Hurleman and senior goalkeeper Renie Harris will serve as the team captains.
“We’re really close off the field,” said McCaffrey, a senior midfielder. “Our communication on the field shows that, and I think it pays off.”
A UMass commit, McCaffrey was tied for the team lead with 17 assists last season to go along with 20 goals. Zeppos also had 17 assists, and led the team with 31 goals. Lytle, a sophomore, ranked second on the team with 24 goals and also had 12 assists.
While the trio all ranked among the top five scorers in Berks, they are poised to make an even bigger impact in 2023.
“We play a pretty unique style of soccer,” said Zeppos, a junior midfielder. “Finishing in the final third is a big thing for us, and we’re just building on our creativity.”
Along with fellow midfielder Abby Noey, Zeppos and McCaffrey will be tasked with controlling the center of the field and generating the majority of the Wyomissing offense again this year, according to Hoffman.
“I think they’ll do very well on the offensive end,” Hoffman said. “That combination of Annie and Sophia and Abby Noey there in the middle, I expect them to put some shots on goal and put some in the back of the net.”
While the Spartans are experienced, Hoffman said the team also has the drive to be successful.
“They’re competitive and they want to win,” Hoffman said. “When you have that edge, that helps in areas that you may lack.”
Wyomissing opened its season on Friday with a 3-0 win over defending Berks III champion Berks Catholic. The Spartans will continue their season on Thursday at 4 p.m. when they host Elco in a non-league matchup.
“It sets the real tone for the season,” Harris said about the season-opening victory. “It let us see where we need to work and where we need to improve.”
The defending Berks IV champion, Wyomissing will host 2022 Berks IV runner-up Kutztown on Tuesday, Sept.12, at 4 p.m. before playing at Kutztown on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. In non-league action, the Spartans will host defending Berks II champion Twin Valley on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. and District 3 Class 2A runner-up Trinity on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 4 p.m. in a rematch of last year’s district final.
“We need to just keep focusing on getting better every single day,” Zeppos said. “That will be the difference, especially against some of these bigger teams later in the season.”
While Wyomissing is poised to earn a spot in the state final, the Spartans recognize they must first take care of the day-to-day grind of the regular season.
“It’s a wins-build-wins situation,” Harris said. “You can’t win them all if you don’t win the first.”
