Girls Soccer Preview: O’Brien, deep Episcopal squad out to tackle unfinished business

NEWTOWN SQUARE >> The relentless positivity in Molly O’Brien’s voice powers right through the one part of last season that could’ve caused a dip.

“After the loss in the PAISAA final last year, it was a stinger,” the Episcopal Academy All-Delco said following Wednesday afternoon’s practice session. “It hurt a lot.”

Therein lies the contradiction at the heart of the 2015 EA girls soccer season, one a sizeable nucleus of returnees hopes to rectify this season. The Churchwomen were immensely successful, winning 13 games in running away with the Inter-Ac crown.

But both the regular- and post- seasons culminated on down notes — first on home turf, with archrival Agnes Irwin handing EA its only league loss against 10 wins on the schools’ rivalry day, then at the Proving Grounds in Conshohocken, where Germantown Academy scored late to break a scoreless tie and steal away the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association title.

It speaks to the level of talent returning that EA can take aim at such lofty goals.

“We’re not happy with runner-up,” goalie Morgan Messner said. “And we want to win AIS day this year. We’ve got a chip on our shoulder from last year, it being our only loss.”

Not everyone returns from last year’s squad. The graduation losses include both center backs, Julia Hondros and Claudia Becker, and a pair of All-Delcos in Hondros and attacking midfielder Jess Shanahan.

But O’Brien, who scored 22 goals last season, leads a squad that is deep, experienced and talented on what they hope to be a championship encore performance under new coach Andy Fraggos.

It’s the third coach in as many years for EA. Ben Wilson served in the capacity for only one year, and despite his success, he was replaced this year by Fraggos, a former Rosemont women’s assistant with most of his recent experience as a high school assistant/Olympic Development Program (ODP) boys coach in New Jersey.

The EA players have gotten accustomed to adjusting to new skippers.

“Most girls are used to it by now,” O’Brien said. “… Andy’s awesome. He’s an amazing coach and super-energetic, which is what we need. We need a coach that’s full of enthusiasm and support.”

Seven starters return, including the junior goalkeeping platoon of Messner and Hannah Moriarty. Messner parlayed a strong summer club season into a commitment to Boston University, joining O’Brien (Loyola Maryland) among EA players facing Division I futures.

The fact that Messner and Moriarty are each worthy of varsity minutes is not just a good problem for Fraggos to have. It’s a microcosm for the depth fueling positional battles throughout the lineup.

“I think as long as we both come out each day and push each other in practice, it’ll cause us to grow and perform our best and make it a competition between us,” Messner said. “I think we’ll have the same success as last year if we keep that up.”

O’Brien will pair with classmate Kelsey Slack up top. Lilly Shaner, who missed the end of last season with an injury, will anchor a rebuilt backline with Annie Doig and Sarah Keffer.

Seniors Jacqueline Dzwonczyk, Reilly Wright and Brooke Royer are among a bevy of returning midfielders. Several freshmen earned significant minutes a season ago, and Fraggos is excited that as many as four rookies could do the same this year, with game-altering consequences when they get on the field.

Just as secure in what they’ve already accomplished as what voids remain on their legacies, Fraggos has a squad that is both talented and driven … and maybe just the right amount of angry.

“I know we have high expectations,” O’Brien said. “… I know for sure, if we play well and we play smart, we can win the Inter-Ac and we can win PAISAA, which is what we want to do.”