If the Blue Mountain girls’ soccer team was extra eager to get preseason practice started, it wouldn’t have been hard to blame them.
A fourth consecutive Schuylkill League title — a 2-1 victory over Schuylkill Haven — for the Eagles (16-7-1 overall, 11-0-1 Division I) certainly made 2013 special again. It was, however, an extended run through the tough District 11 Class AA playoffs that made the season even more memorable.
Blue Mountain reached the district championship game, shutting out Salisbury 4-0 and then upsetting state-ranked Allentown Central Catholic 2-1 in the semifinals before losing to then state-ranked No. 1 Northwestern Lehigh 4-1 in the finals.
So when practice began three weeks ago, coach Mike Burcik saw exactly what he wanted to see.
“They have a great attitude,” he said. “They’ve been working real hard here and really seem motivated to try and carry on with what the past few years have accomplished.”
The fall, the Eagles are out to make league history.
With its championship last season, Blue Mountain joined Shamokin (2001-04) as the only team to win four consecutive girls’ titles. No team has ever done it five straight times.
That drive for five, however, has a new challenge this fall.
Talented players have come and gone for the Eagles during their run. The one constant, however, was forward Madyson Riegel. But now Riegel (18 goals, 15 assists in 2013; 64 goals, 41 assists in career) is gone, too, and is starting at forward at The Citadel as a freshman. Her size and speed up front will be missed.
“Those are some big shoes to fill,” Burcik said.
One player likely won’t do it.
Juniors Abigail Fanelli (9 goals, 4 assists) and Angelica Kaledas (7 goals, 6 assists) will be in the mix to step in up front. Others will have their opportunities, until the right combination is found.
Still, it isn’t all gloom for Blue Mountain.
The Eagles return 15 letterwinners, including nine players who started at least one game last season. Among the key returnees, in addition to Fanelli and Kaledas, are seniors Jada Alexis (defense), Emily Steinhilber (midfield), Aubrey Valentine (forward), Erin Ebling (defense) and Carleigh Bogotuik (keeper); and sophomore Jullian Moyer (midfield).
Another returning player is junior defender Abigail Kramer, but she tore her ACL during the spring and will miss the first part of the season.
Burcik really likes the Eagles’ depth.
“I just think we are a well-rounded team,” he said. “We might not have the super strong fast player, but I think we are not going to have many weaknesses out on the field.”
It’s a new season, but Burcik’s philosophy is the same: Stress the defense first (24 goals allowed in 2013, 12 shutouts), then build upon that with the offense. The non-league schedule, loaded with Berks League teams, is as tough as always.
A key to last season’s playoff run was the unselfishness. The Eagles were willing to play new positions in big games, perhaps sacrificing individual glory for the betterment of the team.
Burcik has seen that attitude carry over so far.
“They’ve been taking it very well,” he said. “It is a fun pressure they’ve put on themselves. They are enjoying it.”
Here are some other items to look for this season:
· Schuylkill Haven senior forward Rileigh Evitts (113 career goals) needs four goals to break the all-time league career record held by Minersville’ Kelsey Weachock (116) set from 2005-08.
· Lehighton enters the league this season, and how much of an impact they will have is the big question mark.
The Indians (5-13 overall, 2-10 Mountain Valley Conference) might be new to the league, but coach Rich Emmert is not. Emmert coached for four seasons at Jim Thorpe, leading the Olympians to their first District 11 Class AA playoff appearance in 2010.
Lehighton’s first league game is Sept. 3 at Blue Mountain. The Indians will play in Division I, moving Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech to Division II.
· In addition to Emmert, new coaches this season are Tony Moran (Nativity) and Ryan Wagner (Tri-Valley).
Here’s a quick breakdown of the divisions:
Division I
Pottsville (13-5-2, 9-2-1 D-I) and Pine Grove (12-7-1, 9-3) are again expected to be the Eagles’ main challengers in the division.
The Crimson Tide were the league’s best defensive team last season, allowing just 16 goals with 10 shutouts. Pottsville returns seniors Nikki Eckley, Meghan Cleary and Kelsey Amos in the back, along with keeper Alyssa Kondrack, a junior. Also returning are senior midfielder Gabrielle Evans (18 goals, 5 assists), along with senior forward-midfielders Maci Roos (5 goals, 5 assists) and Sarah Lombel (4 goals, 7 assists) to lead the offense.
Pine Grove, which lost to Schuylkill Haven 4-0 in the District 11 Class A title game, returns its entire defensive unit (28 goals allowed, 6 shutouts) and midfield. Junior midfielder Mackenzie Lesh (12 goals, 6 assists), the Cardinals’ leading scorer from last season, also returns.
Division II
The Hurricanes (20-3, 12-0) reached their first league final in 2013, and won their second district title in three years.
Schuylkill Haven (124 total goals, 5.4 per game) overwhelmed most teams with its offensive fire power, while the defense (21 goals allowed, 13 shutouts) was just as impressive.
The big news for the Hurricanes came in the offseason when senior Keegan White (18 goals, 10 assists) transferred from Nativity. White provides another scoring threat to complement Evitts (44 goals, 19 assists) and senior Kelsey Sisko (44 goals, 14 assists). White also brings stability in the midfield after Schuylkill Haven lost its entire starting unit from 2013 to graduation.
Senior keeper Geni Tucci returns, but a majority of the key players in the back graduated, including All-Area Co-Player of the Year Shelby Trumbo (5 goals, 6 assists).
Minersville (11-9-1, 9-3) took a heavy graduation hit, losing its leading scorer in Hannah Rinaldo (27 goals, 13 assists), two of its best defenders in Kelly Hammer and Alyse Ryan, and midfielders Morgen Woodford and Leah Leshko.
Second-leading scorer Dominika Rutecki (11 goals, 4 assists) is one of the 10 seniors that will be relied upon to step up and lead the way this season. All have seen significant playing time in previous years. There is a talented freshman class out this year, too.
Eight starters return for Williams Valley (10-9, 7-5), including its top four scorers in Hannah Nestor (20 goals, 7 assists), Emily Wessner (13 goals, 12 assists), Rayanne Hawk (8 goals, 4 assists) and Kyrsten Miller (6 goals, 4 assists). Katie Whelski will lead the defense.
Returnees (compete roster not provided): Deanna Campion (sr., (M-D), Ally Isom (jr., F-M), Meghan Moon (jr., F-M), Christina Caravella (soph., M-F), Morgan Gower (soph., M-D)
At a glance
Defending Schuylkill League champ: Blue Mountain
Other Schuylkill League playoff qualifiers: Pottsville (Division I wild card), Schuylkill Haven (Division II champ), Minersville (Division II wild card)
2013 District 11 playoff qualifiers: Class AAA — Pottsville; Class AA — Blue Mountain (lost in finals to Northwestern Lehigh, state qualifier), Jim Thorpe; Class A — Schuylkill Haven (champ and state qualifier), Pine Grove (runner-up), Minersville, Tri-Valley, Williams Valley
New coaches: Rich Emmert (Lehighton), Tony Moran (Nativity), Ryan Wagner (Tri-Valley)