Experienced Hampton girls soccer hoping chemistry leads to victories

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 23, 2018 | 10:36 PM

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Hampton girls soccer coach Bill Paholich looks around and sees a team that’s playing better, smarter and more focused — in other words, it’s a team with experience.

The current crop of juniors and seniors have seen a lot of playing time — many of them started as freshmen.

But the learning curve last year for a team that sported only two seniors was evident in its lopsided record — the team had six wins and they all counted, going 6-3-1 in the section, yet went 0-6 against the rest of the competition. The team may have peaked at the end of the season with a narrow 1-0 overtime loss to Montour in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.

“We just had our first scrimmage, and our focus was a lot crisper and a lot sharper,” said Paholich, who brings back possibly his most experienced squad in his seven-year tenure, with 13 girls who have started at least one game.

“We’re starting to play smarter ,which is nice to see. We’re not just out there running around chasing the ball. We’re filling gaps, filling the seams and being patient.”

Two-time all-section midfielder Courtney Coholich heads a unit that also includes fellow senior captain Amanda Moser, senior Valerie Fischer and juniors Lainy McLaughlin, Ali Resch and Emily Felitsky.

“I think it gives us one last opportunity to play the sport we love with who we love,” said Coholich, a Cleveland State commit. “We do so much bonding with pasta parties and sleepovers. I think that brings us together. We have a lot of talent, but chemistry is hopefully what takes us far this year.”

“As she goes we go,” said Paholich of Coholich. “She plays 18 to 18 and is absolutely everywhere. The kids feed off her energy.”

The team will also feed off goals from junior Logan Nicklas, who had 14 last year and has led the team in scoring since her freshman season. Nicklas and Fischer, who are state qualifiers in track, help form a speedy attack.

“We’re fortunate enough that we have some good talent on the outside,” Paholich said. “And we have some speed. Val Fischer is probably one of the fastest people I’ve ever seen. When she gets going it’s fun to watch.”

Paholich moved senior IUP commit Sammy Joyce from midfield to defense to create a solid backend with senior captain Abby Wolf and juniors Rylee Obringer and Maddie Dietrich.

“It’s not that big of a move for her,” said Paholich of Joyce. “But the quicker they come together as a group, the better we’ll be. All four of them have started games back to when they were freshmen.”

The graduation of goalie and captain Lauren Duderstadt left a hole to be filled by someone with no varsity experience — or perhaps no experience at all.

Sophomore Annaliese Winkloski and freshman Maddie Hess are in open competition for the starting nod, which, according to Paholich, will come down to the day before the first regular-season game.

“We just have to stay focused,” Coholich said. “Defend well as a team, stay on our marks. Not just the back four but all 11. I think even with the goalies, they’re going to step up. We’ve seen them live in practice, and their mentality is great. We’re not going to let that set us back.”

While Hess has some experience in middle school, Winkloski is a lacrosse goalie convinced by her teammates to join and possibly start for a playoff contender, despite having no experience.

“Both of them are fearless,” Paholich said. “They’re still both a little bit raw, but they’re fearless and they’re willing to work. … With young keepers, our focus has been a lot crisper. There’s no daydreaming on the field.”

There’s plenty of competition to go around, as Paholich estimates there’s about 16 players he can put on the field with little to no performance drop off. He’s hoping that number increases as the season wears on.

Coholich thinks the added depth keeps the team on its toes.

“It breeds that competitive environment where everyone is fighting for a starting spot and playing time,” she said. “You see that come out on the field. The work ethic has to be high at practice, and that translates onto the field.”

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.

Tags: Hampton