Are Wyomissing and Wilson headed for another titanic girls soccer clash?
They called it the Dream Team because they knew it was capable of ending some championship droughts.
Wyomissing’s girls soccer players lived up to the hype. They scored 102 goals in 21 games while capturing Berks and District 3 Class 2A titles. Those were the Spartans’ first gold medals since 2004.
So, what happens now? Wyomissing is still dreaming big.
The Spartans aren’t facing the challenges many defending champs face. Their team is largely intact. Only one starter graduated: Berks Player of the Year Abby Doyle. Two other starters, twin sisters Jenna and Maya Abousaab, have elected not to play.
Eight returning starters paired with loaded sophomore and freshman classes put Wyomissing in position to repeat.
Coach Rachel Hoffman knows all of this, of course. Her job is to keep the train on the rails. Those championships have to be treated like a fond memory.
“The 2020 team won that stuff,” Hoffman said. “What has the 2021 team done? As of right now nothing.”
It’s hard to find a weak spot in this Wyomissing roster.
Hannah Hurleman and Izzy Marshall are a dynamic scoring tandem that has plenty of support. Marshall scored 19 goals last season, second to Doyle for the team lead. Hurleman scored 11 goals as a junior and 22 as a sophomore.
Cadi Hoke patrols the midfield and is a weapon on free kicks. She had a league-leading 17 assists last season. Sam Donahue is the center of an experienced defensive group. Hurleman, Marshall, Hoke and Donahue were All-Berks selections.
“We have the returning players and people are going to be out to get us,” Hurleman said. “But we have goals this season and our goals are counties, districts and the state. We have to keep working hard. Focus is key. We have to always be here 100% of the time.”
With so many returning players, how could Wyomissing not repeat? Simple. Wilson is still around.
Wilson was the two-time defending champion before losing to Wyomissing in last year’s final. The Bulldogs have their own core of great players.
Elizabeth Estrada is the league’s only returning All-State selection. Natalee Vicari is an All-State caliber player in her own right. Those two combined for 27 goals and 17 assists in 16 games.
Wilson brings back five of its top six finishers to go with defenders Kelsey Moschak and Kylie Dries and keeper Alexis Solt.
Not being the defending champ is a strange feeling for Wilson’s seniors. It also provides an extra bit of incentive.
“It definitely was an upset for us,” Vicari said. “Especially our class. It also set us in our place a little bit. Going into this year knowing nothing is guaranteed. It’s nice to have that kind of motivation behind us.”
Wilson and Wyomissing bring back six of the 12 All-Berks players from last fall. Neither team lost a league game before reaching the final.
Wyomissing knows repeating is a difficult task.
“You win it one year but you have to realize the personnel did change,” Hoffman said. “Not by a lot but it is changing. You never know the other teams. What they lost. What they got in. Every season is different.”
If they choose, Wyomissing’s players can look at those medals and be satisfied.
“Or look at them and say, ‘You want a twin?’” Hoffman said. “You’ve got to work a little bit.”
The other contenders
Daniel Boone opened last season with five consecutive wins, took first place in Berks II and reached the county semifinals. The Blazers return top scorer Lily Ferguson, forwards Gabby Fontana and Maggie Holloway and defenders Emma Kay, Liz Trani and Kiley McEntee. The Blazers will be dangerous.
Gov. Mifflin has about half its starting lineup back and an influx of talented freshmen. The Mustangs are loaded in the midfield, led by four-year starter Olivia Swartz, two-time all division pick Jude Galvin and attacking-mid Maddie Geesaman. Madison Rotkiske will be a scoring threat.
Kutztown and Tulpehocken both are loaded with returning standouts. The Cougars have seven players who helped them win Berks IV, including top scorers Taylor Conroy and Sydney Ott. Tulpehocken is built around attackers Ella Ahner and MacKenzi Sowers. The Trojans have eight experienced seniors. The division race will be interesting.
Exeter and Conrad Weiser are looking to return to the playoffs. Marina Messner and Taylor Mentzer were two of the Eagles’ top players last season. Anna Dalesandro was an All-Berks defender for the Scouts.
