Deep senior class leads Baldwin girls soccer into season

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 24, 2017 | 9:21 PM

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The Baldwin girls soccer team is looking for a turnaround season in 2017.

After winning their first two games last year, the Highlanders finished with a 3-14-1 overall record.

Second-year coach and newly wed Kelly Shoplik is optimistic that last year was a true learning experience.

“This year coming in we have a good number of returning starters, including a healthy senior class,” said Shoplik (formerly Reed). “We also have a good number of talented freshmen being added to the team. My hopes are that it will be a smooth transition into the fast pace and physicality of the high school game for them.

“Also, one of our top players, Mandi Bellas, will be back from injury this season to help fill some gaps where we lost seniors. If all factors come together, I feel we will be competitive within our highly-skilled section.”

There are 10 returning letter winners on this year's team, including seven who started at times last season.

The Highlanders are led by senior forward Alina Stahl, an all-WPIAL and all-section selection and a West Virginia soccer recruit. Stahl is a fourth-year starter for the Highlanders with 71 career goals.

She played forward and outside-midfield this summer for the Beadling Soccer Club's U18 girls elite team, which qualified for the national championships. Stahl also specializes in the sprints in the Baldwin track program, and has been a WPIAL and PIAA finalist.

As Shoplik noted, the Highlanders' varsity roster is dominated by the senior class.

Along with Stahl, seniors Haley Huber (MF), CharliAnn Hooper (GK), Isabella Kenny (F), Katie Deiley (D), Isabella Rossa (MF), Megan Flavin (D) and Kelsey Heenan (D) are returning letter winners.

The two others are sophomores — goalkeeper Emma Brandwene and forward Riley Nolan.

“I really want the girls to be able to simplify the game this year,” Shoplik said. “We need to focus on getting the small things right in order to be successful. We tend to try to over complicate the simplistic nature of the game, and end up finding ourselves out of position and in tough spots to recover.”

Bellas is a junior defender who missed last season because of hip surgery.

“Mandi will wear many different hats this year,” Shoplik said, “but the majority of the time she will play a defensive role, either on the back line or central defensive mid.”

Also looking to make an impact for the Highlanders is senior Katie Doyle, while two other seniors, Kalie Stenglein and Skylar Flanigan, will miss the season because of injuries.

Adriana Marina and Robyn Sopata are top freshman prospects.

Prior to last season, Shoplik, who recently celebrated her 31st birthday, was a Baldwin assistant for three years, working with former head coach Caley Troutman. Shoplik also coached at Canon-McMillan, and serves as coach of the Steel City Magic ‘02 girls team.

She was a four-year starter and two-year captain at Duquesne and South Park and was a leading scorer in both programs. She was named all-WPIAL three times and all-state twice, and also was lauded as a Tribune-Review Player of the Year.

She also was an eight-year starter and team captain for Beadling Soccer Club.

Baldwin is back in Section 2-AAAA this season, along with Bethel Park, Canon-McMillan, Mt. Lebanon, Peters Township and Upper St. Clair. Canon-McMillan is the defending section champion.

“With our returning starters, our much-improved players, and the incoming freshman, we will have a dynamic offense,” Shoplik said. “Lots of goal-scoring ability, with speed attached.”

Baldwin's home opener is set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 against Peters Township.

It also will be the Highlanders' first game in section play.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin