Pictured above: #13 Hannah Curry of Scranton Prep. Photograph taken by John Maros.
Abington Heights
2019 Record - 11-1-2
2020 - Did not play due to COVID-19
2021 Projected Record - 11-3
Head Coach - Errol Mannick
Notable Players - Karen Daly (defender, senior), Lauren Lefchak (midfielder, senior), Bryn Stiles (forward, junior), Brynn Carey (defender, junior) Ally Steenback (winger, sophomore)
Oh how we missed watching this team! Can you believe it’s almost been 2 years since they were last on the field? Well it has, and they are back and better than ever. This is a team that left 2019 on a high note, and it looks like things will still be trending in the right direction for the Lady Comets.
We spoke to senior Lauren Lefchak on her thoughts on the upcoming season, what it was like to not play last year, and if this is a team that can compete for a district title.
“I believe we have a very strong team this year. Almost all the girls on the team play club year round and train very hard. I think we have the talent and desire to compete for a district title.”
“It was difficult watching everyone else play. I think with the players we had last year we had a chance to go further than districts. We all worked very hard in the off-season to be ready to play and it was extremely disappointing to not be given the opportunity.”
Delaware Valley
2020 Record - 9-1-2
2021 Projected Record - 12-2
Head Coach - Jeff Rainear
Notable Players - Brianna Matteson (goalkeeper, senior), Theresa Ficken (senior, defender), Sage Henry (forward, junior), Aracelia Denhalter (midfielder, junior), Katelyn Tants (forward, senior)
Notable Graduates - Skylar Molnar, Meghan Byrnes, Hailey Jordan, Jenna Reich, Emily Thomas
Despite losing a few key seniors, this is still a team we very much like heading into the Fall. Sage Henry and Aracelia Denhalter both led the team with 8 goals scored last season and will be returning for their junior years. Theresa Ficken was a first team all-star in 2020 and is entering her senior season, along with goalkeeper Brianna Matteson who made 43 saves and kept 5 cleans sheets (tied for first in Division 1).
We asked Brianna about her thoughts for 2021, and if this is a team than still compete for a district title in Class 4A.
“I think we are going to have a pretty good season this year. We lost a lot of key players but we also have a lot of younger players who can fill in those roles and help us to another district title this upcoming season.”
Honesdale
2020 Record - 3-7-2
2021 Projected Record: 1-13
Head Coach - Lesley Freer
Notable Players - Anna Coar (defender, junior), Allison Billard (goalkeeper, senior)
Notable Graduates - Shannon O’Day, Abigail Meagher, Megan Bidwell
Returning to the Lady Hornets’ squad this year is second team all-star Anna Coar, and Allison Billard who made 103 saves last season, which was 5th best in the league. Their three top goalscorers in 2020 (Meagher, Bidwell, O’Day) have all graduated, so until they can establish a proven playmaker and someone who can put the ball in the back of the net, we have them at 1-13.
North Pocono
2020 Record - 0-12
2021 Projected Record: 4-10
Head Coach - James DeRenzis
Notable Players - Abby Lenchitsky (goalkeeper, sophomore), Amelia Maros (midfielder, junior), Kaylee Suchocki (midfielder, senior), Gianna McNerney (defender, senior), Myia Evans (midfielder, senior), Abby Silva (sophomore)
Notable Graduates - Alicia Goldenziel
The Lady Trojans were one of two teams to go winless in the Lackawanna League Division 1 last season. I do see improvement looking at this squad for the upcoming year. The last time they had 4 + wins in a season, was in 2017, and compared to other teams around the league they have a good group of players returning. Kaylee Suchocki and Abby Silva scored 4/5 goals scored by the team last year. Goalkeeper Abby Lenchitsky was named a second team all-star, in a year she made 137 saves (3rd best in the league).
We talked to Amelia Maros, and first year Head Coach James DeRenzis on their thoughts on the upcoming season, and if they can improve after only having 1 overall win last year.
“We are really looking forward to the upcoming season. We have a new head coach. The whole team is very excited to have Coach Derenzis and look forward to play for him. The team is a good mix of experienced returning players as well as some very talented underclassmen. I think we have a lot of potential for a really good season.” - Amelia Maros
“I am excited to join the North Pocono soccer community in this role. I believe the team has a lot of potential moving forward. Fans will likely see players grow technically and tactically throughout the season as the team will focus on individual ball control skills and tactical understanding during training sessions. The players will expect a fun and competitive learning environment that will challenge even the more advanced players on the team. The goal is that as a result of the technical and tactical growth, the team will be more competitive in the Lackawanna League than in recent years and players will be more confident on the field.” - Head Coach James DeRenzis
Scranton
2020 Record - 2-9-1
2021 Projected Record: 5-9
Head Coach - Matthew Loughney
Notable Players - Riley Bittenbender (forward, junior), Lanee Olson (goalkeeper, senior), Jasmine Bender (midfielder, senior)
Notable Graduates - Sydney Rios
Riley Bittenbender who led the team with 9 goals scored last year will be returning for her junior season. Also returning, Lanee Olson made a league leading 150 saves for the Lady Knights in 2020. This is a team that will look to make some noise come October when playoffs roll around. Maybe not favorites in Class 4A, but it seems to be up for grabs for all six teams who qualify for playoffs.
Scranton Prep
2020 Record - 9-3
2021 Projected Record: 6-7-1
Head Coach - Doug Knieser
Notable Players - Maria Belardi (senior), Hannah Curry (junior), Luisa Barker (senior), Jillian Lynn (senior), Elyanna Lawler (freshman), Lilly Reilly (senior)
Notable Graduates - Ava Buttner, Meredith Purcell, Rachael Rose, Cecelia Collins
The Classics lost quite a bit during the offseason. All of their players who were named to the all-star team have graduated, along with goalkeeper Cecelia Collins. Returning to the team is Lilly Reilly who led the team with goals scored, and Maria Belardi who finished third on the team with 5 scored. 2021 can go either way. They will either come back down to Earth a bit and finish around .500, or do what they usually do and finish Top 3 in the division.
We asked Jillian Lynn about her thoughts on 2021, and if this is still a team that can compete for a district title.
“After losing many of our starting players from last season, we are going to have to work a lot harder this season in order to compete in districts. Our seniors in 2020 really helped us on defense as well as in the midfield, so now our younger girls have been working hard to fulfill those positions. I think we will have a very good starting lineup, as well as a lot of new talent coming onto the team, which gives us a lot of options and hopefully will allow us have a good run in districts. My teammates and I are happy and anxious to get back out on the field, and enjoy a full season after last year!”
Valley View
2020 Record - 6-4-2
2021 Projected Record: 5-8-1
Head Coach - Danny Berg
Notable Players - Ryien Carroll (goalkeeper, junior), Ava Sherman (forward, junior), Alivia Sherman (defender, senior), Avery Smola (junior), Shelby Kaschak (junior)
Notable Graduates - Emily Mondak, Alissa Koniszewski, Alyssa Valenza, Emma Winter
Double duty for Head Coach Danny Berg in 2021. After Megan Tweedy accepted the Women’s Soccer head coaching position at Lackawanna College, the Lady Cougars were left without a coach. So now, Berg is in charge of both the boy’s and girl’s varsity programs at Valley View.
Returning to the team in 2021 is first team all-star Ava Sherman. She led the team in both goals (10) and assists (7) last year, and will be looking for an even stronger season this Fall. Ryien Carroll should return to the goalkeeper position this season after suffering a concussion in 2020.
The team does lose first team all-stars Alissa Koniszewski, and Emma Winter. Along with Alyssa Valenza and Emily Mondack who were key players in their starting lineup.
Wallenpaupack
2020 Record - 9-2-1
2021 Projected Record: 13-1
Head Coach - Alicia Sodano
Notable Players - Devon Kiesendahl (forward, senior), Jacqui Weber (forward, junior), Abby Kimler (midfielder, sophomore), Megan Desmet (midfielder, senior), Anastasia Ioppolo (midfielder, senior), Lexi Kapschull (midfielder, sophomore)
Notable Graduates - Katie Mancino, Aliah Balch, Makenna Peet
Oh yes, we like this team a lot heading into the 2021 year. Aliah Balch, and Katie Mancino were two very important pieces on defense for the Lady Buckhorns last year. Along with Makenna Peet (led league in clean sheets). However, the returning core of players is simply overpowering.
Senior forward Devon Kiesendahl led the division in scoring last year with 16 goals, and Jacqui Weber was not too far behind her with 13 goals scored. Abby Kimler had a fantastic freshman season in which she scored 7 goals, and was second in the division with 8 assists. The list goes on.
This is a team that is a favorite for a district title in Class 3A, but has very tough competition in Dallas, Berwick, Prep, and Abington Heights. But they are right up there with all of them. Buckle up folks, this is going to get interesting come October!
*projected records are based only on divisional games, and not overall record*
Questions? Concerns? Email us at nepahighschoolsoccer@gmail.com
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