Previews of Solanco's boys soccer, cross country, field hockey, tennis. and volleyball teams. BOYS SOCCER
Buoyed by an impressive showing during scrimmages Saturday, Solanco boys soccer coach Ron Miller has high hopes for his squad. The Mules were 3-0-1 on the day. "It was awesome," Miller said. "It was a good day for us. We've improved big time and I see a nice season in store for us." Captains Alec Proffitt and Jorge Garnica will anchor the Mules' midfield. Garnica, who could also see time at sweeper, returns to the program after playing football last year. "He's a nice addition," Miller said. The other captain is striker Thomas Haines. Haines, a goalie for the first part of his career, has been impressive at forward. "He's got skills and a cannon of a shot," the coach said. "He's one of my secret weapons." Jonathan Kraynak returns in goal after earning the varsity starting spot midway through last season. Senior Matt Spade and junior Zach Steinhauer will be inside backs. They will be flanked by seniors William Sizemore and Preston Peiffer. Hunter Johnson, a four-year varsity player, and Luke Perry will join Proffitt and Garnica in the midfield. Senior Nicholas Boule and junior Jimmy Maeda will be starting at striker. Miller says the Mules will have a strong bench led by juniors Angel Rodriguez, Matt Gote, and Josh Bailey, and sophomore Cody Bleacher. Saturday's showing is reason for optimism, Miller said. The Mules suffered two lopsided losses to Cocalico last year, but dominated play in the scrimmage and won 1-0 on a Bleacher goal. "We have more speed and more skill," Miller said. "It's a team game and we've got to work together. I think it's going to be fun to watch." The Mules open at home vs. state champion Pequea Valley Friday morning at 10. Pequea Valley routed Solanco 8-0 last year, but Miller is predicting a much tighter contest this time around. CROSS COUNTRY Solanco cross country coach Craig Ausel is excited by the promise of his team. "I’m not sure if it is possible to have a young team and experienced team at the same time but that might be the best way to define both our boys and girls squads this season," Ausel. "We have only two seniors on both squads this fall. This lack of senior depth is typically not a good thing but that might be the exception this season. We have some very talented and experienced 10th and 11th graders. This group of student-athletes has the potential of continuing a long tradition of Solanco cross country success in and out of the classroom." Connor Brown is the lone senior on the boys team. He is joined by juniors Noah Brady, Matthew Curran, Michael McFadden, Kyle Munro, Joey Segich, and Scott Tice, sophomores Liam Hodgson, Daniel Riddell, Patrick Sweda, and Dustin Hodges, and freshmen Brady Frampton, Alec Munro, Connor Neaves, and Brandon Smyth. "On the boys side, we have one senior and 14 underclassmen," Ausel said. "Many of our underclassmen were consistent scorers last season and with another year of experience and a good summer of training will do very well." The Solanco girls were 21-0 last year but lost four talented seniors. "It could be a big challenge for most teams but with an equal blend of experience and talent the ladies should do just fine," Ausel said. "Returning juniors Carly Allport, Natalie Crum, Julia Whitehill, Karly Burkhart, and Kaitlyn Ashley will bring a lot of depth to the squad. The lone sophomore, Essi Glah-Fisher, and freshmen, Morgan Perry and Denise Brenneman should contribute greatly to our top eight scorers." Senior Kathleen White, junior Morgan Myer, and freshmen Aliah-Mei Foulk and Autumn Boxlietner will also contribute. FIELD HOCKEY Dawn Kreider is back for a third tour as Solanco field hockey coach and will serve as co-head coach with Deb Atkins. The Mules (2-14 last year) will be led by returners Summer Pierson (mid/back), Danae Dombach (goalie), Jess Lapp (mid), and Emma Kreider (forward/mid). Kreider is not positive what to expect but is optimistic. "It's difficult to say after one scrimmage but, we have a good group of girls returning with varsity experience," she said. "Denae Dombach is solid in goal and we have girls with a nose for the goal. If we can get balance through out the field we should be competitive." TENNIS Freshman Marissa Witmer has earned the number one singles spot for the Solanco tennis team. Juniors Caity Cozzone, Nell Keeport, and Leila Fredricks are also expected to play singles to begin the season. "This is our singles line-up for the start of the season," coach Annie Hammel said. "Players have the opportunity to play challenge matches in order to move up to a higher ranking on the team. The sets have been close when they play their singles challenge matches, and I see the line-up changing throughout the season." Witmer and Keeport start the year at number one doubles with Cozzone and Fredricks and junior Brooke McCardell and sophomore Erin Gerhart forming teams. "They may change as we learn which players work best together on the court," Hammel said. Experience will be a strength for the Mules. We only lost one varsity player from last year (doubles player Kayla Carroll); the four juniors are all returning varsity players," said Hammel. "This will be Marissa Witmer's first year playing tennis, and she worked her way to the top of the line-up. She spent her summer taking lessons, attending tennis clinics and playing in tournaments." Solanco will also field a promising JV squad. We have enthusiastic JV players on the team who work hard to improve their tennis strokes and strategies every day at practice," said Hammel. VOLLEYBALL It will be a rebuilding year for the Solanco volleyball squad but coach Kathy Roenne remains optimistic. The Mules lost five players to graduation and have just one senior – outside hitter Sammie Browne. "I feel those who are returning and our new players coming on will work hard and make each game a good match," Roenne said. "Sammie Browne's leadership will be a huge benefit to this newer group of varsity players. She will be a strong outside hitter. Our juniors are very strong, willing to do what they need to do to win games. Gabby Redcay is a natural. She is very strong at net and I know will put a high number of kills down. She is a huge blocker and getting stronger every year. Teams will know Gabby this year. Our libero, junior Maribeth Ault, is our spark plug on the court. She is everywhere, diving and digging up balls. Her tenacity and passion for the sport is exciting to be around. Never say never is who she is. She will keep the fire under her teammates at all times. Rounding out the court with a lot to offer are junior middle Angie Forentino and power player Autumn Keller. We lost an awesome four-year setter Kimmy Findley, a tough spot to replace. Taking on that challenge will be Taylor Wagoner and Michaela Trimble, who are both working hard in the preseason to fill that position." Comments are closed.
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