Girls soccer preview: Spartans, Bulldogs seem destined to meet again in final
By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent
Sometimes it unfolds the way everyone expects. The best teams on paper in August are the best teams on the field in October.
That’s how it worked out in Berks girls soccer this season. Wilson and Wyomissing remain on target for a colossal championship game rematch.
Wilson (16-1-1) is the No. 1 seed in the BCIAA Tournament. The Berks I champs have outscored opponents 80-14. They host Kutztown in the quarterfinals Saturday at 11 a.m.
Wyomissing (17-0), the No. 2 seed, is one of only two undefeated teams in District 3. The Spartans have outscored opponents 84-14. They welcome Tulpehocken Saturday at 11 a.m.
Click here for the BCIAA girls soccer bracket
What this tournament will decide, beyond the champion, is the Berks Player of the Year and All-State selections. Both Wilson and Wyo are loaded with candidates.
Natalee Vicari and Elizabeth Estrada are the top choices on the Bulldogs. Vicari is third in the league with 26 goals and has 12 assists. The senior has scored 62 goals in her career. Estrada has 11 goals and a league-best 18 assists.
Hannah Hurleman is Wyomissing’s leading scorer with 27 goals and 10 assists. This is her second 20-goal season and she has 69 in her career. Soccer is Hurleman’s No. 2 sport. The senior has committed to Arizona State for swimming.
Another POY and All-State candidate for Wyo is Izzy Marshall, who has 18 goals, 11 assists and the most powerful left foot in the league.
The possibility of a rematch between these powerhouses has loomed since Wyomissing edged Wilson 1-0 in last year’s final. It’s two games from becoming a reality.
Here’s a look at the rest of the field:
No. 8 Kutztown (13-5)
The Cougars have the misfortune of fielding one of their best teams when the Berks lower divisions feature some heavyweights. They lost to Tulpehocken twice and to Wyomissing but won the rest of their league games. Lauren Akers is Kutztown’s top scorer with 11 goals. Caitlyn Lubak has nine.
No. 7 Tulpehocken (12-4-2)
The Trojans get another chance to face Wyomissing, which won the first meeting 5-1 on Sept. 27. They’ve won five games in a row by a combined 19-1 down the stretch. Mackenzi Sowers and Ella Ahner are a formidable scoring duo with a combined 27 goals for a team that should qualify for districts.
No. 5 Exeter (11-6) at No. 4 Daniel Boone (13-5), Saturday, 3 p.m.
The Eagles have been slugging it out with the Berks I giants all season. They finally broke through with a win at Mifflin in the finale. Marina Messner has 17 goals and Taylor Mentzer has 16 for Exeter, which knocked off Boone at Birdsboro on Sept. 27. The Eagles are 7-2 in their last nine.
The Blazers repeated as Berks II champion with the most prolific offense outside of Wilson and Wyomissing. Anna Buckwalter is the league’s leading scorer with a school-record 28 goals. This is a lineup loaded with All-Berks talent. Boone won six in a row before ending the season with a loss to Wilson.
No. 6 Fleetwood (10-7) at No. 3 Gov. Mifflin (9-6), Saturday, 2 p.m.
The Tigers are back in the county playoffs after a one-year absence. Leilah Sallee is wrapping up her quietly terrific career. The University of Delaware recruit is fifth in the league with 22 goals and has 51 in four seasons. Fleetwood owns a quality win over Exeter. It lost to Mifflin 2-1 at Shillington Sept. 27.
The Mustangs stumbled down the stretch with three consecutive losses. They haven’t scored since beating Twin Valley Sept. 29. This is still a dangerous team that owns victories over Exeter, Boone and Fleetwood. Freshman Ellie Leffler is the top scorer with eight goals. Olivia Swartz is the Mustangs’ heart and soul.
