Quick Start: Pottstown opens season with 14-4 rout of Daniel Boone

BIRDSBORO >> It was the exact start first-year Pottstown head coach Brandy Scherer and her team was searching for.

With senior midfielder Mardaije Pearson scoring her first of a game-high five goals just seven seconds off the opening draw, the Trojans took a commanding 14-4 non-conference win over Daniel Boone Thursday evening at Brazinsky Field.

“You never know what to expect in the first game,” Scherer said afterward. “You can have some things go really well in practice, but then once it hits the game, things can be completely different. Today, we did a lot of things well and made a lot of good things happen.”

In addition to Pearson’s five-goal, two-assist showing, sophomore Ebony Reddick added four goals and a pair of assists in the midfield.

Moments after securing it off Reddick’s opening draw win, Pearson slashed through the middle of the Blazer defense and flicked it past the keeper to notch her first goal of the season.

“It was a really great way to start the season,” said Pearson. “I picked up the ball, saw the lane and took it. Everybody on our team stepped up and kept the intensity up the entire way after that.”

Sparked by Pearson’s early score, teammates Janna Jones added a hat trick while Emily Iezzi scored twice and added a goal in the win. In goal, Reilly Owens finished with three saves.

“We know (the opposing defense) is always looking to keep Ebony quiet,” added Scherer, “so that’s where we’ve got to be able to use other players on the field beside just her. We have a lot of girls who are ready to step up. Today showed it.”

Boasting a roster of just 19 players, including nine freshman, every practice and every game will serve as a learning experience for the Trojans as the season wears on.

Similarly, Daniel Boone head coach Jen Armstrong and the Blazers find themselves in similar waters. Coming off their inaugural season in the PIAA where the Blazers finished 4-13 overall, a majority of Daniel Boone’s roster is still getting the grasp of the game, including four freshmen who saw the field Thursday.

“They’re getting there,” Armstrong said afterward. “Our skills are improving with each practice, but we’ve got to work on our confidence. Pottstown’s a really aggressive team and they made it really difficult for us to get to the goal all throughout the game.

“Part of it is where that confidence comes in. We’ve got to be aggressive and be able to trust one another.”

Ashley Bonetz found the goal three times for the Blazers while teammate Kayla Pogash notched a goal with four minutes left. Senior goalkeeper Sara Hoag finished with 10 saves. Freshman keeper Cameron Nicoline made two saves.

“There are a lot of bright spots for our team,” added Armstrong. “It’s great to see them improve and progress. I think as the season goes on, the learning curve will be quickly ascending.”

After ending last season with only two overall wins on the year, Pottstown has already taken a step in the right direction.

Scherer, a longtime assistant lacrosse coach and Pottstown graduate herself, says the team takes pride in any win it earns. That’s especially true in the beginning of the season.

“As a head coach, an assistant coach, a player — a win is a win,” she said with a smile. “My goal is for the girls to be successful on the field. It doesn’t always result in a win, but it’s about taking those steps in the right direction.

“Hopefully our girls can build off of this one.”