Freshmen make quick impact for Franklin Regional girls soccer

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, September 15, 2018 | 3:30 PM

The Franklin Regional girls soccer program has every reason to believe it will be in contention for a WPIAL playoff berth this season given the depth of leadership that returned.

While the present is focused on blazing a path toward postseason play, coach Rich Garland expects the future to be even brighter.

Last year, the Panthers (2-3, 1-3 Section 1-3A) battled injuries and a smaller roster but this season they have 13 freshman on the varsity squad with five nightly contributors. The added numbers and talent is something Garland welcomes.

“Coming into this season, we were counting on a freshmen class with not only numbers, but talent,” he said. “Immediately having 13 freshman available made us healthy in the numbers scenario.”

Numbers aside, Garland has the luxury of subbing one of his freshman and he knows there won’t be a drastic drop off in talent.

“You can see that our freshman are asked to step right into a competitive situation right away,” he said. “For the most part they are adjusting right away.

“We aren’t having the success early we’d hoped for. But it’s a long season, and the freshmen are going to have to get used to the play really quickly.”

Midfielder Sydney Lindeman is one of the ninth-graders Garland said has been having an immediate impact on a nightly basis. Through the first four games of the season, she leads the team with four goals.

“She’s a big, physical presence and has the ball at her feet a lot and is willing to go one-on-one and stop and find ways to get the ball forward,” Garland said. “She’s continuing to develop, especially against bigger girls.

“Being 14 years old playing against 18-year-olds, there is an obvious size difference, but you wouldn’t be able to see that with Sydney.”

Anne Klingensmith recently was given an opportunity to start because of injuries. Garland said Klingensmith seized her chance and expects her to improve and not relinquish her new position.

“Playing defense at the varsity level isn’t easy because some of the best forwards in the WPIAL are running at you at full speed,” he said. “We were looking for someone willing to be fierce in the air and win one-on-one battles, and to this point she’s done a good job.”

Garland said other freshmen like Sydney Kranick, Abby Bogler, Morgan Walters and Kaia Traphagen have been given the opportunity to showcase their abilities throughout the early season. They have held their own and given a glimpse into what their future roles may be.

Having such a dominant presence of freshmen spread throughout the lineup and on the bench has not caused any friction between them and the upperclassmen. To the contrary, Garland said he’s proud of how his older players have taken a mentorship role and helped the new players find their ways.

“I’m very fortunate to have the type of players that are willing to take the lead in that role of being a leader,” he said. “The seniors have helped the younger players understand the rigors of the season and also the academic demands that come with playing at this level.

“They’ve helped show that you need to set up systems and have accountability, and they really are being that support system.”

While this season and the postseason aspirations are still a point of emphasis, Garland said he is thrilled to see what the future holds for the program.

“We have talent in every class, and I think for us right now it’s just getting the winning chemistry to get them to believe what they can accomplish in that fast speed,” he said. “We’re close to getting over that hump and doing the little details that cause a winning season.”

Brian Graham is a freelance writer.

Tags: Franklin Regional