Photograph taken by John Maros. (Avery Chepolis, left. Lilian Raczkowski, right.)
Hanover Area:
2020 Record: 0-8-1
2021 Projected Record: 1-11
Head Coach - Stephanie Gover
Notable Players - Stephanie Lewis (forward, senior), Emily Malia (defender, senior), McKenna Nay (defender, junior)
Notable Graduates - Emily Lewis
This was a team that went winless during the 2020 season, and hasn’t made much noise in the WVC for several years. The hiring of Head Coach Stephanie Gover, could be a move in the right direction. A travel coach for Northeast Cantolao Attack FC, she was also the Lake-Lehman boy’s assistant last year. The Lady Hawkeyes might not have the strongest roster in the league, but Coach Stephanie might be able to guide this team to a brighter future. Stephanie Lewis, their leading goalscorer in 2020 will be returning for her senior season.
Holy Redeemer:
2020 Record: 10-1
2021 Projected Record: 10-2
Head Coach - Shaina Dougherty
Notable Players - Kalie Quaglia (midfielder, senior), Avery Cole (defender, junior), Marie Lombardi (goalkeeper, senior), Jenessa Ferro (forward, junior), Isabella Granteed (forward, sophomore), Avery Chepolis (midfielder, sophomore), Kendall Makowski (defender, junior), Faith Sekol (midfielder, senior)
Notable Graduates - Grace Wolsieffer, Aimee Makowski
The Lady Royals come into the 2021 season with a very strong group of returning key players. However, Redeemer does have some injuries to deal with already and the season did not begin. One of those injuries is Morgan Crake (ACL), who led the team with 16 goals last season, which was 4th overall in the league.
Despite her injury, Morgan remains very optimistic about her team this season. “We definitely have a great chance of securing a district championship, we have a pretty strong team even though there are a couple injuries on the team, and there are a few incoming freshman that could really step up and help out replacing the injured players. As long as we continue to play as team and leave it all on the field and we’ll definitely accomplish a lot.”
We also got the chance to speak with Kalie Quaglia, who is in her senior season with the Lady Royals. She too, is very confident in her team. “For this year, I am really looking forward at helping to lead the team to a district championship. We have some good young talent on our team and great returning players. As long as we put in the work and effort needed, we can do great things. Even though we lost some players, I want to make sure we work even harder this year to accomplish our goal. With all of us working together, I think this can be our best year yet.”
In addition to talking to Crake, and Quaglia… Head Coach Shaina Dougherty also gave her thoughts on the upcoming season. “We truly have a great group of girls returning to the team this year, but we will certainly miss our senior class of 2020. We do have quite a few starters returning, and we’re optimistic for this season and hoping to contend for another Conference Title and District Championship. Our three seniors (Kalie Quaglia, Marie Lombardi, and Faith Sekol) will be excellent leaders for our younger girls.”
Well, it’s hard to disagree with those three statements. They might have lost a few players, but they have a young, strong team that is ready to battle for a district title.
Greater Nanticoke Area:
2020 Record: 3-7-2
2021 Projected Record: 4-8
Head Coach - Ed Lukowski
Notable Players - Talli Ormes (midfielder, senior), Kaleah Moran (goalkeeper, senior), Alexis Atkins (forward, senior), Sophia Lukowski (defender, junior), Savannah Atkins (midfielder, junior), Raiden Ball (midfielder, sophomore)
Notable Graduates - Genevieve Nalepa
The Trojanettes have a nice group of returning starters for the 2021 season. Alexis Atkins led the team with 8 goals scored last season, and she will be returning for her senior year. Kaleah Moran made 117 saves between the sticks, which was 6th in the league out of 23. With their key returning players, this is a team that can compete in their division. But they do not want to go behind early in games, or that can spell for trouble.
Here is what Head Coach Ed Lukowski had to say about this upcoming season… “We return a good nucleus of players for this season, but have some holes that will need to be filled. We'd like to take that next step this year and compete with the top teams in our division.”
Lake-Lehman:
Head Coach - Kelly Adamshick
2020 Record: 11-1
2021 Projected Record: 11-1
Notable Players - Marissa Brdaric (defedner, junior), Hailey Kline (midfielder, junior), Chase Purdy (defender, senior), Kalee Raczkowski (defender, junior), Brenna Hunt (forward/midfielder, sophomore), Autumn Palka (midfielder, junior)
Notable Graduates - Madison Brdaric, Emma Stroud, Keera Naugle
Two years removed from their PIAA state playoff run in 2019, this is still one of the top teams in the Wyoming Valley Conference. However, their team does take a bit of a hit this year. Madison Brdaric who was awarded Pennsylvania All-State honors has graduated, along with their leading goalscorer Keera Naugle, and elite goalkeeper Emma Stroud.
But, the Lady Knights’ defense remains a force to be reckoned with. Marissa Brdaric, Chase Purdy, and Kalee Raczkowski are some of the best in all of the league, and they are all on the same team. A very well coached team, along with offensive and defensive weapons can only mean trouble for every other team in the division. Another district championship can be on the horizon.
Tunkhannock:
2020 Record: 2-8-2
2021 Projected Record: 1-11
Head Coach - Nolan Robinson
Notable Players - Paige Adams (midfielder, sophomore), Lexy Fortney (senior), Emma Ergott (junior)
Notable Graduates - Lexi Farber, Abigail Stretch
The Lady Tigers are coming off a rather disappointing 2020 season, only mustering 2 wins, and just one place out of the final playoff spot in 3A. Optimism will be the key for this team heading into 2021… new year, fresh start. Paige Adams was only in her freshman season last year, but was a bright spot on the team. Despite only scoring 2 goals (led the team), she will be looking to add onto her career total, and hopefully guide this team to a playoff berth.
Wyoming Area:
2020 Record: 8-2-1
2021 Projected Record: 7-5
Head Coach - Chad Kranson
Notable Players - Anna Wisnewski (forward, junior), Halle Kranson (midfielder, junior), Olivia Allen (junior, goalkeeper), Sofia Sabatini (defender, junior), Hannah Fairchild (midfielder, sophomore)
Notable Graduates: Sydney Kruszka, Christina Kosco, Olivia Kwiatkowski, Emma Kelleher, Nicole Donvito, Brooke Evelock
The Lady Warriors will be coming into the season with quite a few faces missing. Six players who played a key role last season have now graduated. However, the key players returning for this season are very promising. Anna Wisnewski & Halle Kranson both scored 15 goals last year which was 5th overall in the league.
Hannah Fairchild provided 5 goals and 3 assists in her freshman season last year, so it should be exciting to see what she can do for an encore. It seems like Olivia Allen will now take over full time in goalkeeper now that Sydney Kruszka has graduated. Allen, split time in goal and the field last season, and in my opinion is one of the best goalkeepers in the division, if not the whole league.
Despite some losses, this is still a team who can compete for a district title. Maybe not favorited to win it all, they will still make it interesting and keep the games close.
Wyoming Seminary:
2020 Record: 4-7-1
2021 Projected Record: 7-5
Head Coach - Jesse Williams
Notable Players - Cassidy Skoranski (goalkeeper, junior), Hannah Johns (defender, junior), Cassidy Rhodes-Aniska (midfielder, senior), Helena Prusak (junior, midfielder), Isabella Dunham (midfielder, senior), Lindsey Lokuta (defender, senior)
Notable Graduates: none
Last, but definitely not least is the Lady Blue Knights. The last time they finished above .500 in their division was 2008 when they went 12-0. Well this might be highly disputed amongst others, but we have them finishing 7-5 this season. C’mon now, don’t call me crazy just yet… let’s take a closer look at their roster.
First of all, this team has zero key seniors who graduated. They have a very nice returning group of players for 2021. Cassidy Skoranski made not only a league leading, but if you combine WVC and LIAA stats, she would’ve led all goalkeepers with 209 saves. She also kept 3 clean sheets, which would be 3/4 wins.
Their leading goal scorer Helena Prusak will be returning for her junior season, along with defenders Hannah Johns & Lindsey Lokuta. If they have the confidence, then they will find success. They are also a well coached team under Jesse Williams who has playing experience in the Olympic Development Program. We look forward to watching them fulfill our projections!
Contact the writer
David Brigido, NEPA HS Soccer Founder
nepahighschoolsoccer@gmail.com
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