Area high school girls soccer preview

Posted: September 8th 2023

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

The following is a look at each of the area’s high school girls soccer teams:

CAPE MAY TECH

It’s a new beginning at Cape May Tech as Krista Salvadore takes over as the program’s new head coach.

This sets up as a rebuilding year for the Hawks, who will look for leadership from seniors Kayleigh Rhodes and Trina Pease and junior Amanda Daino.

The team opens the season Friday at Medford Tech.

LOWER CAPE MAY

Lower struggled for a couple of seasons with a very young roster but broke through last season for a winning campaign at 9-7 as many of those younger players matured.

Now, the Lady Tigers are hoping to take the next step – compete for a Cape-Atlantic United Conference title.

Lower is led by its three senior captains – Tessa Hueber (MF), Kaitlyn McGuigan (B) and Sianna King (F). Each is a four-year starter. Hueber is the top returning goal scorer with seven last season, King added six goals and McGuigan is considered one of the top defenders in the area.

Other returning seniors include Braelyn Brant (B), Isbelle Hristov (MF) and Doaa Mohamed (MF).

Other returnees include juniors Bella Lund (MF), Katelynn Bailey (MF) and Isabella Arbelo-Miranda (MF) and sophomores Julia Deignan (F), Riley Deignan (B), Ella Osmundsen (F) and Meredith Lutjen (GK).

New players expected to impact the varsity include sophomore Katleynn Walker (B) and freshmen Emma Armbruster (B) and Savannah Gordon (B).

Dareen Rutherford enters his fourth season as the program’s head coach, assisted by Lilly Swan.

Lower Cape May opened its season Thursday with a 3-0 win at Wildwood Catholic.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP

Middle Township was the Cape-Atlantic National Conference champion and advanced to the semifinal round of the CAL tournament a season ago. The Lady Panthers lost quite a few seniors from that team but still bring back some good talent. However, the program has been moved to the CAL American Conference, giving Middle a much more difficult schedule against larger schools this fall.

Senior Olivia Sgrignioli, a dynamic play-making center midfielder and forward, leads the way. She enters the season with 46 career goals. Her sister, fellow senior Sophia (MF), is also a key player. Other returning senior starters include Brooke Nabb (B), Kate Grier (B) and Angelina Lorenzo (B). Lorenzo is transitioning to defense after being a starter at goalkeeper last season.

Other returnees include juniors Gracie Repici (F, 8 goals in ‘22), Keily Sanchez (MF) and Carmen O’Hara (MF) and sophomores Chloe Frame (F) and Riley Odom (F).

Middle expects a boost from a good crop of newcomers, including sisters Madison Palek (F) and Makenzie Palek (GK), a senior and junior, respectively, who transferred in from Our Lady of Mercy Academy earlier in their high school careers and are excellent athletes. Other newcomers include freshmen Gab Oliver (MF), Izzy Miller (MF), Ella Harkins (MF), Parker Milstead (MF) and Ainsley Frederick (F).

Middle will feature a very experienced defense, with three senior starters, but could also have as many as five freshmen on the field at the same time in some situations.

Mike Hickman returns for his fourth season as head coach. He’s assisted by Bridget Ruskey.

Middle opens the season Saturday at home against Millville.

WILDWOOD

Wildwood went 6-12 last season and graduated one of the most prolific goal scorers in program history in Kaydence Oakley.

Numbers have been a struggle for the Lady Warriors in the preseason. The program is holding out hope it can get enough athletes interested in playing but it definitely won’t be ready to compete this week. Time will tell if Wildwood can muster enough players to move forward with the 2023 season.

Sierra Palmer is the new head coach after serving last year as an assistant under Mark Scarpa, who left Wildwood to take the boys head coaching position at Cape May Tech.

WILDWOOD CATHOLIC

Wildwood Catholic was competitive against its schedule last season, going 6-7-1. Three of the team’s defeats were by a one-goal margin.

With many of the players back from last year’s team, the Crusaders hope to turn some of those close losses into victories while competing for a top place in the Cape-Atlantic United Conference standings.

The Crusaders are led by their two captains – senior Nola Quinn (MF/F) and junior Reagan Flickinger (B). Quinn scored five goals last season, while Flickinger was one of the top defenders in the area.

Other returning seniors include El McCabe (B), Ava Vogdes (B), Grace Deegler (MF), Dani Sahw (F), Destiny Wallace (F), Catena Simmons (F) and Ana Aragon (MF).

Other junior returnees include Maeve Farrell (B/MF), Megan Feketics (F) and Grace Murphy (GK). Sophomores with at least some varsity experience include Maggie Davenport (B/MF), Reese Manni (F/MF), Olive Cray (MF), Maggie Farrell (F/MF), Brigid Peters (MF), Lily King (MF) and Casey Sewell (F).

Freshmen who could make an impact include Lauren Davenport (F) and Grace Clark (MF/B).

Kara Saunders enters her 10th season as head coach.

Wildwood Catholic opened the season Thursday with a 3-0 loss to Lower Cape May.