Sep 2, 2015 By Eleanor Bailey 4 min read

For Canon-McMillan to return to the WPIAL and PIAA finals in girls’ soccer, it will take a lot more than skill. It will take a heap of labor, too.

“Of course, we would like to build on our successes from last season,” said Dave Derrico. “Winning the section would be a huge task but not impossible. We will work very hard to get back to the playoffs and to the finals.” To do that, Derrico continued, “the team must stay healthy, must play with pace, pass accurately and finish our chances on goal. Plus, we must outwork our opponents ever more than we did last season.”

Exertion yielded a 19-5-1 record last fall for the Lady Macs. However, they lost five key components from that successful squad. C-M’s record-setting goalkeeper Kyra Murphy is now playing at Duquesne. Defender Sydney Keremes has joined Murphy while Abby Gillespie is currently playing at Edinboro. Midfielders Allison Oddi and Lauren Hess are attending Purdue and Lebanon universities, respectively.

“Losing them all out of the center of the field, means that the team is fielding some players with a great deal less experience than our opponents,” Derrico said.

Though on the small side, the team does have speed and strength, emphasized Derrico. Plus, the Lady Macs return a core of players that have two and three years of varsity experience, particularly during post-season play.

“Individuals on the team possess a high level of technical skill and tactical awareness,” said Derrico, who is assisted in the coaching department by Larry Shaw, Greg Day and Danielle Hewitt.

The skill and talent level starts at center midfield as Allison Thomas returns. The senior contributed 12 goals and 24 assists last season. It continues through to the front line where Sabrina Bryan will again anchor the attack. The junior fired in 27 goals and notched nine assists.

On the forward line is also Aideen O’Donoghue. The junior tallied 13 goals and 12 assists last year. Cheyenne Trest provided seven goals and eight assists. The junior is also a standout on the basketball court for the Lady Macs.

While Alena Poljak shores up the midfield, Ally Walker and Ashyln Whipple represent C-M’s experience in the back. Each defender scored once last season and Whipple dished up 13 assists.

Courtney Finney is expected to strengthen the defense. The senior can play either defensive back or outside midfield. “She is blessed with a great deal of speed and stamina,” said Derrico.

While Megan Virgin and Liz Hathaway battled for a starting position, Isabel Scheidenhelm has been paired with Thomas in the center of the midfield. “She has a high degree of technical skill and she is physically strong,” Derrico said.

Sophomore Riley O’Korn and junior Anna Starcevic, are both tall and strong players that Derrico anticipates pairing up in the central defensive positions.

Among the key subs for the Lady Macs will be: junior Lexi Finney and sophomore Maddy whipple in the center midfield; sophomores Liz Ross and Samantha Germeyer along with freshman Sydney Snyder on defense; junior Ashley Oddi on the front line; senior Kelci Marchetti, junior Maddy Manz and sophomore Alliosn Paxton at outside midfield.

The Lady Macs begin the season with exhibitions at Bethel Park at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 4 and at home against Yough on Sept. 8 before embarking on Section 4-AAA play. C-M enters the meat of league play Sept. 16 at Chartiers Valley then visits Moon Sept. 21 before hosting Peters Township Sept. 23.

“As far as section opponents go,” Derrico began. “Peters always fields a strong team, one that is always in the mix for the district championship and higher. Moon is a team full of very skilled players and should do very well this year. Chartiers Valley is very strong as well. All three of those teams have outstanding and experienced coaches.”

Elsewhere in the WPIAL, Derrico predicts, defending champion, Seneca Valley, to be a very tough opponent as well as Norwin. “They are loaded with talented players this year,” Derrico said of the Knights.