Natalee Vicari, Elizabeth Estrada form championship-caliber soccer duo for Wilson

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com Senior Correspondent

Eleven hours after their first practice started, with the sun setting and Mister Softee parked outside the gate, Wilson’s girls soccer players were leaving the field.

Natalee Vicari was the last one. The senior stopped before crossing the sideline. She had one last question, one more bit of information to absorb.

A five-minute conversation between Vicari and coach Tim Fick followed as the ice cream truck, a preseason reward during a week filled with two-a-days, kept idling. This is one of Fick’s favorite parts of coaching. The details.

“There are some soccer junkies out there,” he said of his team. “It’s like those gym rats. That old-school mentality.”

Vicari and Elizabeth Estrada are two of those junkies. Both are All-Berks selections, All-State candidates and potential Division I recruits. It’s their turn to lead Wilson toward its next championship.

Vicari is more serious on the field. Estrada is more happy-go-lucky. Both are great in their own way.

“Nat takes it all in,” Fick said. “Liz is like the first one in the pool. She’s ready to go. It’s that yin and yang. It works really well. They know each other really well.”

Vicari has been a fixture at Wilson. A four-year contributor with the county’s best program. She delivered eight goals as a freshman, 15 as a sophomore and 13 with nine assists in a shortened junior season.

This has long been Vicari’s role. She’s a finisher and she thrives on it.

“When you get the goal scoring taste, you like it,” she said. “That’s always exciting. It’s good not to let your team down, especially when everyone is working so hard. When it comes from the back all the way to the forward, it’s a relieving feeling that you helped the team out.”

Vicari’s stoic expression is usually reserved for when the ball’s in play. That’s her competitive side. There’s also a playful side.

“It takes 3-4 years to know her personality,” Fick said. “She’s a heckuva lot of fun. She has a great sense of humor. Very dry at times. You put her in a game and she’s all business. Asking questions and trying to help everybody out.”

Estrada provides whatever the Bulldogs need. She plays defense for her club team and will shift back there in a pinch. She’s primarily a midfielder who will be pushed forward alongside Vicari when Wilson wants more pressure.

The senior delivered a team-high 14 goals with eight assists and is the county’s only returning All-State pick. Estrada is from a soccer family and is following in the footsteps of big sister Leslie, who also played at Wilson.

“Every time she’d score or do a good trick or something, I used to play with my dad and try to do it,” Estrada said. “She inspired me.”

Wilson has an array of talent led by a deep senior class. There’s Keira Levengood, Macy McDonough and Jordan Lasky boosting the attack and Alexis Solt in net. Sophomore Lily McCausland is on the rise. Kelsey Moschak and Kylie Dries anchor the defense.

Vicari and Estrada know they’re fortunate to have another elite player by their side. Not everyone is given that luxury. 

“Liz and I work really well together,” Vicari said. “It’s kind of cool we’re the same grade. We finish together. We have the chemistry that not a lot of people have. Playing together since we were very little.”

Estrada has watched all of Vicari’s 36 career goals. The two often square off in practice. Testing each other like few can.

“She does this move,” Estrada said. “It’s her thing. She takes it with the outside of her foot and just finishes. I don’t know. It’s just really good.”

Wilson is trying to recapture the county championship after Wyomissing denied the Bulldogs a three-peat last season. Those teams are the co-favorites and the league is really deep. Whoever wins will be tested.

The conversation between Vicari and Fick ended when the senior had all the answers she needed. A long day of practicing was over and another long day was waiting for them tomorrow.

For now, it was time to relax and enjoy that ice cream.