Freeport’s Comperatore named Valley News Dispatch Girls Soccer Player of the Year

By:
Saturday, December 9, 2017 | 8:27 PM


Girls soccer player of the year

Kaylee Comperatore

Senior, forward, Freeport

Kaylee Comperatore plans to pursue nursing in college, ironic considering the turn her junior season took.

A high-ankle sprain and dental injury — caused when an opponent caught her with an elbow — plagued Comperatore in 2016, but she still helped Freeport reach the WPIAL championship game and PIAA quarterfinals.

This fall she turned the pain tables on Freeport's foes.

Comperatore scored early and often, leading the team and Section 2-AA with a career-high 32 goals after recording 24 in her first three seasons with the Yellowjackets. The offensive outburst helped Freeport capture its second consecutive section title and advance to the WPIAL Class AA semifinals. And it also made her the Valley News Dispatch's selection as girls soccer player of the year.

Looking back on the season, how do you feel about the way things went?

Getting knocked out so early was disappointing, but I'm really proud of what we accomplished this year, especially because a lot of people thought we were going to struggle a little bit with losing the players that we did. But I thought we did really well with what we had.

What's your best high school soccer memory?

I just think the amount of success that we had all the years, we just kept getting better and better. Seeing how much history we created with this team, I think that's the best memory.

Which game will you remember the most?

I think the game where I got my teeth knocked out, for sure.

Is that a good memory or a bad memory?

Looking back now, I think it's a good memory. It's something I can laugh at now.

Do you wear a mouthpiece now?

I don't wear a mouthpiece. My dentist, we asked her if I should, and she said that even if I had worn a mouthpiece at that time, it still wouldn't have prevented me from getting my teeth knocked out. She said it wasn't even worth it.

You scored a lot of goals this year. Any of that stick out for you?

I don't know. I just think probably all of them this year because I think in the beginning of the season, I was kind of struggling with myself a bit because we were having scrimmages, and I wasn't playing the way I thought I could. I remember (coach Brittni Grenninger) saying to me, “You're going to get one, and then 20 more are going to come.” I guess it literally happened.

Have you always been a big goal-scorer?

Yeah. My very first soccer practice that I ever had, I scored a goal and I was like, “Wow, that was really awesome.” I loved it. Ever since then, I've always been able to put the ball in the net.

What do you think it is that helped you become a goal scorer?

I think just when I get on the field, I have this mindset where I'm competitive and I want to win. And to do that, you have to have the most goals. So I want to be the one to help my team win.

What's your best skill?

I think my best skill would probably be my speed. That's what I depend on a lot, and that's what my coaches always have told me to use. I remember way back when hearing my coaches yell, “Use your speed, use your speed,” and that's what I do.

Are you looking to play soccer at the next level?

I still haven't decided. I think that I'm done with soccer. I'm going into nursing school, so I figured I would focus on nursing school. But I don't know: If an opportunity comes, maybe I would play at the next level.

What colleges are you looking at?

I'm looking into (Butler County Community College).

Do you follow international soccer?

Honestly, I really don't pay attention to that.

Outside of soccer, what are your big interests?

I don't know. It's always been soccer for me, and that's always been my No. 1 interest. Other than that, I don't play any other sports. I used to do cheerleading, so I guess that was one at one point.

When did you give that up?

I started cheer when I was 4, and then I quit when I was 7. I did high school cheerleading my freshman year.

Do you play club soccer?

I've never officially been on a club team, but I've been to practices with Steel and I've played on Steel's indoor team a few times.

Do you have any superstitions as a player?

Yeah. Before every game, I would always have to listen to my music. I would bring my headphones and listen to my music, and I would always have to do that before every game.

Which were the big songs you listened to?

I listened to a lot of songs that are on our playlist before we play home games, so I play a lot of old Kanye West songs. Those are the major ones that I have to listen to before each game.

Were there any that were must-listens for you?

Probably “Stronger” by Kanye West.

Have you seen him in concert, or would you want to?

I don't really listen to that kind of music outside of soccer. I listen to a lot of country music, actually, so country music concerts are kind of my thing.

What was the best country concert you went to?

Probably Luke Bryan. That was two years ago.

What's your favorite TV show?

“The Walking Dead.” It has a way of making you emotionally attached to all of the characters, and it leaves you in suspense. It's just really good.

What was the last movie you saw in theaters?

“It,” that clown movie. I thought it was really weird. I thought it was creepy.

Girls soccer All-Stars

First-team selections

Mayce Anthony

Apollo-Ridge, so.

All-WPIAL forward became Apollo-Ridge's top goal scorer this season, helping the Vikings reach the playoffs for the second straight year.

Piper Claypool

Freeport, sr.

One of WPIAL semifinalists' top defenders, she could also provide an offensive threat, finishing the season with eight goals and seven assists.

Jordyn Huemme

Plum, sr.

She led the Section 3-AA runners-up with 17 goals and added 10 assists while playing both forward and midfield, earning all-WPIAL honors.

Hannah Irvine

Deer Lakes, sr.

The all-WPIAL defender helped a young Deer Lakes team reach the playoffs, leading a defense that allowed 32 goals and posted four shutouts.

Katie Livingston

Fox Chapel, sr.

All-WPIAL center back helped limit opponents to less than a goal a game; dangerous in the air, especially on corner kicks, she added seven goals.

Lexi Moyer

Kiski Area, sr.

Clarion commit was an all-WPIAL forward, scoring 19 goals and 22 assists to lead Cavaliers to WPIAL quarterfinal appearance.

Breanna Murray

Apollo-Ridge, sr.

An all-WPIAL defender, she helped Vikings post five shutouts and also provided a consistent scoring threat as they reached the WPIAL postseason.

Sidney Palla

Kiski Area, so.

All-section midfielder was important scorer and distributor for WPIAL quarterfinalist, netting 13 goals and adding 15 assists.

Sidney Shemanski

Freeport, so.

All-WPIAL player played midfield and forward and thrived at both positions, tallying 18 goals and a team-high 22 assists.

Sarah Sinnott

Fox Chapel, jr.

Coach Peter Torres praised the all-WPIAL forward's first touch; she led WPIAL quarterfinalists with 19 goals and had eight assists.

Leesha Wagner

Burrell, sr.

She scored a team-high 15 goals to lead the Bucs to a second consecutive WPIAL playoff appearance and quarterfinal bid, earning an all-WPIAL nod.

Second-team selections

Emily Bonelli, Apollo-Ridge, fr., F

Jaci Bowser, Highlands, jr., M

Heaven Butler, Valley, jr., F

Skylar Dale, Burrell, jr., M

Jaden Domaratz, Springdale, jr., M/F

Kate Feczko, Fox Chapel, sr., G

Reagan Frederick, Kiski Area, so., F

Greta Lazzara, Fox Chapel, sr., M

Sarah Lipniskis, Freeport, sr., M

Lily Litrun, Deer Lakes, fr., F

Gina Proviano, Plum, fr., M

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

More High School Soccer Girls

Shelly Thropp, Wayne Capra to be enshrined in state soccer hall of fame
Thomas Jefferson girls soccer season marked by improvement, 1-goal losses
Westmoreland high school notebook: Latrobe soccer player Reilly receives another honor
Peters Township’s Molly Kubistek named 2024 Trib HSSN Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Quaker Valley girls soccer builds legacy in WPIAL championship season