Despite injuries, Thomas Jefferson girls soccer finding success in section play

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Thomas Jefferson won its first three section games in girls soccer to climb into a tie for first place with South Fayette at 3-0.

In fact, the Jaguars reeled off five consecutive victories earlier this season to improve to 5-2 overall.

After starting out with one-goal losses to Upper St. Clair, 3-2, and Franklin Regional, 1-0, TJ defeated West Allegheny, 2-1, and Keystone Oaks, 7-0, in the West Allegheny tournament.

The Jaguars followed up with convincing 5-2, 5-1 and 7-0 section wins against Laurel Highlands, Oakland Catholic and Uniontown.

“I thought we started well this season,” TJ coach Sean Richter said. “USC was a big test. We got a little beat up and next day playing Franklin was tough. A few of our girls went down (with injuries). Staying healthy; that will be our obstacle.

“Right now, we are beat up but playing well. We just need more depth and to get our young players time and comfort to make an impact. Hopefully, when the second half of the season hits, we are healthy.”

Senior midfielder Sami Maglicco sparked the TJ girls offensively in the season’s first month with eight goals and four assists. Maglicco is a fourth-year starter and two-time All-WPIAL selection.

“Sami has been great,” Richter said. “She is seeing the field very well, impacting games and making the players around her better. She has had a very good start to the season.”

The Jaguars have a senior-laden lineup this year led by Maglicco, midfielders Aubrey Little and Anna Kondos, forwards Kamryn Marcinko, Adi Fenlock and Natalie Narr, and Cecelia Wessel, a forward/midfielder.

The upperclassmen have been joined by freshman Avery Koah and sophomores Vivian Barron, Kayla Marcinko and Aubrey Mahoney on the back line, with sophomore Ali King at the goalkeeper position.

“Two starters are out, Denika Bergman with a concussion and CeCe Wessel with an MCL injury,” Richter said, “but Natt Narr and Aub Mahoney have stepped in for us.”

Bergman is a junior forward/midfielder.

“Denika took a hard hit in the Oakland Catholic game,” Richter said. “CeCe went down in the Franklin Regional game. She is going to get MRI. That will tell us a lot.

“We’re thinking the best case for both is they can make it back for playoffs; we’re hoping sooner, if healthy.”

Maglicco, Little, Kondos, Kamryn Marcinko and Wessel are the team captains this year.

“Our senior leadership has been great,” Richter said.

The second half of the Section 3-3A schedule for the Jaguars begins Sept. 24 with a road test at Laurel Highlands.

TJ is scheduled to play five of its last six regular-season games at home against South Park (nonsection), Oakland Catholic, Uniontown, Albert Gallatin and Canon-McMillan (nonsection).

“We take it game by game,” Richter said. “There are no expectations placed on the girls. We just look to improve each game. We play a tough nonsection schedule.

“We want to stay healthy and be prepared when it matters most.”

TJ and South Fayette also battled it out for first place in the section last season with the Lions finishing 10-0 and the Jaguars next at 8-2.

The TJ girls lost a tough 3-2 decision to Bethel Park in double overtime in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs to end up 10-7-1 in 2024.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson