Mercury Girls Soccer Season Preview 2019
Boyertown
Coach: Bill Goddard, 20th season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 4-4-2 PAC Liberty, 7-4-2 PAC, 9-7-3 overall; District 1-4A qualifier
Players to watch: Seniors Emma Elwell, mid.; Madison Gallagher, GK. Juniors Samantha Goffice, fwd.; Camilla Kuever, mid.; Madison Monka, mid.; Mikayla Moyer, def./mid.
Outlook: Last year’s Boyertown team consistently played right with the best opponents on its schedule, but good performances didn’t translate into winning results on too many occasions. This fall, the Bears will be hoping for those elements to match up with one of the better returning casts in the PAC. Fast-paced attackers Emma Elwell and Samantha Goffice (both All-Area second team 2018) should provide a scoring punch while the spine is strong with midfielder Maddie Monka and goalkeeper Maddie Gallagher. Boyertown will also be bolstered by Camilla Kuever, a German exchange student who is a member of the U16 Germany women’s national team. Veteran coach Bill Goddard hates having the attention focused on his squad, but early season buzz says that’s unavoidable: the Bears are considered co-favorites in the PAC and will be positioned for a run in districts.
Daniel Boone
Coach: Mark Reightneour, 1st season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 3-7 Berks II, 6-11 overall
Players to watch: Ariana Trautz, fwd.; Nylah Cody, fwd.; Nicole Brown, mid.; Lily Ferguson, mid.; Hailey Kaba, def.; Emma Kay, def.; Lizzy Tranni, def.
Outlook: The Blazers have gotten off to a strong start in 2019 and have proven capable of scoring goals with 15 goals through four matches. They’ll hope that trend continues as it battles in Berks II against division favorites Fleetwood, Berks Catholic and Conrad Weiser.
Hill School
School: Laura Wann, 4th season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 2-12 overall
Players to watch: Senior Lindsey Coffey, mid. Juniors Sydney Floyd, fwd.; Marah Krick, GK.
Outlook: Hill plans to use its speed at forward and lean on returning goalkeeper Marah Krick, an All-Area honorable mention in 2018, to up its win total this fall. After some lean years recently, coach Laura Wann feels the right mentality will play a big role in the Blues’ progress. “We need to stay healthy and need our team chemistry to be positive from day one,” she said.
Methacton
Coach: Bret Smith, 17th season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 2-8 PAC Liberty, 4-9 PAC, 7-11 overall
Players to watch: Seniors Michaela Tommarello, mid.; Kate Evans, mid.; Rachel O’Toole, def. Juniors Julia McCann, fwd.; Madia Mazzucola, fwd.; Jess Lineen, def. Sophomores Sarah Kenwood, mid.; Ruby Murray, def.; Lizzie McNichol, def. Freshman Molly Rowland, mid.
Outlook: The Warriors found life difficult in a stacked PAC Liberty DIvision in 2018, but coach Bret Smith liked the growth his team showed. Smith is hoping a carryover effect can lead Methacton to its first district playoff berth since 2012. “If the returning players can start off the season the way they ended last year, I expect to improve again on our record from last year,” Smith said. Methacton has three returning starters on defense, a positive considering it often started three freshmen in back last year. The Warriors’ progress may come down to finding capable and consistent goal scoring, a spot that has troubled the team in recent years.
Owen J Roberts
Coach: Joe Margusity, 24th season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 9-0-1 PAC Liberty, 12-0-1 PAC, 19-1-1 overall, PAC champion, District 1-4A second round
Players to watch: Seniors Veronica Roach, mid.; Sophie Marks, mid.; Hannah Delahaye, fwd.
Junior Sam Hughes, GK; Sarah Kopec, mid.; Emily Sands, def.; Avery White, fwd. Sophomore Morgan Weaver, def.
Outlook: Last year’s OJR team had a historic regular season, allowing a state record two goals on the way to an undefeated PAC championship. The No. 1 seeds in District 1 were stunned in the first round of districts in a penalty kick loss to Haverford (despite not allowing a goal), a painful end to an otherwise brilliant season. The team featured five All-Area first teamers, four that graduated – Mia Baumgarten (Bridgewater College), Bailey Hunt (Millersville), Kenzie Milne (Penn State club team), and Kylee MacLeod (Kutztown), last year’s Mercury All-Area Player of the Year. The lone returner is sophomore center back Morgan Weaver, though second team forward Sarah Kopec and goalkeeper Samantha Hughes are also back. “After two consecutive years of graduating very talented senior classes the team will be very young this year,” coach Joe Margusity said. “We will be counting on a very talented freshman class as well as a number of sophomores who will step in and fill the void left by graduation.” Even with counting on a number of rookies, Margusity expects his starting 11 to match up well with all comers in the PAC. It’s only natural for the Wildcats to take a step back from a record-setting season, but expecting too big a dip comes at your own risk considering the standard of excellence in the OJR program.
Perkiomen School
Coach: Justine Segear, 10th season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 12-1-1 overall, Tri-County League and Penn Jersey League champions
Players to watch: Seniors Abbey Glavin, GK; Sasha Vassallo, mid. Junior Rianne Moll, mid. Sophomore Cece Vassallo, fwd. Freshman Cheyenne McCloud, def.
Outlook: Perkiomen School has to be feeling good entering the season after losing just once in 14 matches in 2018 while claiming two league titles – the Tri-County and Penn Jersey leagues. It will be battling on two fronts again this year but has plenty of experience with core pieces Abbey Glavin, Sasha Vassallo, Rianne Moll and Cece Vassallo returning, all of whom were All-Area honorable mention last year. “We have a seasoned keeper, solid returning players,
and some new hopefuls I am looking forward to seeing build as the season progresses,” coach Justine Segear said. “With being in two leagues we have an opportunity to play in two post-seasons so we are hoping to make the best of this season. I think we are focused on building our level of play as a program and having fun and growing together as a team.”
Perkiomen Valley
Coach: Kim Paulus, 15th season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 6-3-1 PAC Liberty, 8-4-1 PAC, 9-7-1 overall, District 1-4A qualifier
Players to watch: Seniors Nikki Foller-Moll, mid.; Cassidy Polignano, mid. Juniors Riley Hill, GK; Mackenzie Patla, def.; Madelyn Zielke, mid.
Outlook: Perkiomen Valley’s 2018 season had more than a few highlights, most notably its first District 1 playoff qualification since 2007. To repeat that will require many new players to step in for a large graduated class that featured All-Area first team midfielder Sydney Marasco (Pittsburgh). “Though in a rebuilding year, we expect to stay competitive,” coach Kim Paulus said. “We have a core group of talented players who have established chemistry and who understand our program and our league. This core group has already assisted in the development of our youngest players; and though we lost eight starters, we return nine varsity seniors, who have experience in big situations.” PV looks best positioned in the midfield with Nikki Foller-Moll, Cassidy Polignano and Madelyn Zielke returning, but will need a largely new set of defenders to meet the reputation of the Vikings as a tough defensive side.
Phoenixville
Coach: Stewart Sherk, 1st season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 6-4 PAC Frontier, 7-6 PAC, 9-8-1 overall, District 1-3A qualifier
Players to watch: Seniors Maddie White, mid.; Lily White, def. Juniors Ava Labik, def.; Alex Perrotto, def.; Morgan Beatty, mid.; Savanna Seldes, mid. Sophomores Sydney Goodhart, mid.; Ella Stout, GK.
Outook: Former Pope John Paul II head coach Stewart Sherk moved over to Phoenixville in the offseason, taking over for Tim Raub. Sherk inherits a young team that has a couple large holes to fill, namely in the attacking midfield with the graduation of All-Area first teamer Gabrielle Perrotto (Drexel). Leading returners include Sydney Goodhart, Maddie White and Ella Stout, all of whom were All-Area honorable mentions in 2018. “We are still a young team that has a good foundation to build on. We have some girls adapting to different positions than they are normally used to playing,” Sherk said. “This team has a lot of potential. Playing team defense and executing the details is imperative to our success. We must stay engaged for the entire game and also be mentally tough.” A return to district play would be a mark of a successful season for the Phantoms.
Pope John Paul II
Coach: Bill Bono, 1st season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 8-2 PAC Frontier, 9-4 PAC, 10-8-1 overall, PAC semifinals, District 1-3A qualifier
Players to watch: Seniors Stacey Kormos, GK; Delaney Cordrey, def.; Mary Kate Shannon, fwd.; Emily Hughes, fwd. Junior Lainey Owens, mid.
Outlook: Bill Bono takes over at PJP, replacing Stewart Sherk, who is now in charge at Phoenixville. Bono inherits a program that has consistently been toward the top of the PAC Frontier Division. To continue that trend, the Golden Panthers will look to its defense to lead, specifically three-year starting goalkeeper Stacey Kormos and defender Delaney Cordrey. “Our defense is solid and along with our goalkeeping we will look for them to set the tone in each game,” Bono said. “Our team has talent, but hard work and focus will be the biggest factors for this team to reach their potential.” PJP figures to be among the pack chasing Pottsgrove in the PAC Frontier and can realistically target a return to the District 1-3A playoffs.
Pottsgrove
Coach: Stephen Mellor, 9th season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 10-0 PAC Frontier, 11-2 PAC, 14-6 overall, PAC Frontier champion, PAC semifinalist, District 1-3A quarterfinals
Players to watch: Seniors Skylar Glass, fwd.; Becca Delp, mid./def. Juniors Alexis Zook, mid.; Hailey Strain, mid.
Outlook: One of the stories of last fall was the breakthrough of the Falcons, who won the PAC Frontier for the first time, qualified for districts for the first time since 2002 and won a program-best 14 games. Ten starters, including All-Area first team forward Skylar Glass and midfielder Becca Delp, are back and poised to make it a banner year for Pottsgrove. “We are looking to build on last season’s success,” coach Steve Mellor said. “With 13 varsity letter winners returning, experience will be our strength. We have good soccer players at every position who know their roles and are willing to do whatever is necessary for the team to be successful.” Pottsgrove is the firm favorite to repeat in the PAC Frontier. That part is known. What’s not is if the Falcons can maximize their potential and win a PAC title and make a run in the District 1-3A tournament that could earn one of the district’s two state-playoff berths.
Pottstown
Coach: Gary Mock, 10th season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 1-8-1 PAC Frontier, 2-10-1 PAC, 4-12-1 overall
Players to watch: Seniors Emme Wolfel, GK; Aniya Hoskins, fwd.; Melissa Coleman, mid. Sophomores Calista Daye, fwd.; Kaleigh Martin, mid.
Outlook: Pottstown is coming off its best season in a decade of varsity girls soccer, winning four games including two in the PAC, the first Trojans team to ever do so. With standout senior goalkeeper Emme Wolfel (Mercury All-Area first team, Kutztown commit) returning to her leadership role and proven goalscorers Aniya Hoskins and Calista Daye back up top, the Trojans are not the easy out they’ve historically been. It’s hard to know what the ceiling is for this year’s Pottstown team, but it’s higher than ever before and coach Gary Mock and his staff are excited to find out. “When we learn how to share the ball and play together we will finally hit our full potential,” Mock said. “The coaching staff thinks this is the year we will compete for a division title and maybe a district bid for the first time in the 12-year history of this program.”
Spring-Ford
Head Coach: Mo Hadadi, 2nd season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 7-3 PAC Liberty, 10-3 PAC, 13-7 overall, PAC finalist, District 1-4A second round
Players to watch: Senior Ella Curry, mid. Juniors Hope Flanegin, fwd./mid.; Molly Thomas, mid.; Riley Wallace, GK; Caitlin Norwood, def.; Emily Higgins, mid. Sophomore Ally McVey, mid.
Outlook: Last year was a transitional year for a Spring-Ford program that has become one of the top programs in District 1 after graduating a highly-successful senior class and welcoming new coach Mo Hadadi. Even still, the Rams managed to make the PAC title game and reach the second round of districts. With last year’s leaders Ella Curry (All-Area first team), Hope Flanegin (second team) and Molly Thomas (second team) all returning in the midfield, the Rams look poised to return to the top of the PAC. “It’s a young roster, but most of the players played with each other last season and understand each other,” Hadadi said. That continuity will go far – and so can the Rams this fall.
Upper Merion
Coach: Jeff Kushner, 4th season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 0-9-1 PAC Frontier, 0-12-1 PAC, 4-13-1 overall
Players to watch: Seniors Olivia Barr, Morgan Donovan, Sarah Lattanze
Outlook: After a winless PAC campaign in 2018, the Vikings hope brighter times are ahead. “(Upper Merion) continues its development by infusing young talent with a number of returning players this year,” coach Jeff Kushner said. “Since joining the Pioneer Athletic Conference 4 years ago, the program seeks to develop a more competitive spirit with its league opponents.”
Upper Perkiomen
Coach: Mike Freed, 11th season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 4-6 PAC Frontier, 5-8 overall, 7-11 overall
Players to watch: Seniors Hannah Landis, GK; Avery Diehl, fwd. Juniors Bryanna Marinari, mid.; Emily Schaut, mid. Sophomore Lindsay Bieler, def.
Outlook: Early season talk has Upper Perkiomen as a team trending upward with most of its core returning, including four-year starting goalkeeper Hannah Landis and junior midfielder Bryanna Marinari, both All-Area honorable mention. “A very talented group of freshmen join a team that includes 11 returning letter winners, making for great competition for places and roster depth,” said coach Mike Freed. “The team should be solid in midfield, but there is experience at almost every position.” While Pottsgrove remains the favorite to retain the PAC Frontier title, Upper Perk should be capable of heading the chase pack, which could translate to places in the PAC and District 1-3A playoffs.
