Midfielders hope to guide Penn Hills girls soccer back to WPIAL playoffs

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

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Heading into their fourth season under coach Ashley DeVito, the Penn Hills girls soccer team will lean on a seasoned midfield in hopes of clinching a playoff spot for the third year in a row.

Penn Hills finished 6-12 overall with a 4-6 record in Section 3-4A action last season. The season came to a close after losing 6-1 to Penn-Trafford in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

The Indians return sophomore forward Maya Wolford, who led the Indians with 14 goals, and senior goalkeeper Autumn Blair, who had six shutouts last season.

“I think we can be extremely competitive with all of those teams, and I think we absolutely have a shot to clinch a playoff spot for a third year in a row,” DeVito said.

“I believe we’re going to be challenged more this year, but I truly believe this is the best team we’ve ever had. If we show up every night and play to the best of our ability, then we can absolutely clinch a spot in the playoffs again this year.”

Wolford, who was an all-section honorable mention selection last season, will look to replace the production lost by the graduation of Maraye Alexander. Alexander, a first-team all-section selection, had 13 goals last season.

Blair, an honorable mention all-section selection last season, will play a big role in guiding a new look backline that graduated numerous members and will be led by freshman defender Kari Holt.

“(Blair) provides such a sense of calmness and optimism for the girls. If they do make a mistake or they need to sort something out, she’s always there to be supportive,” DeVito said.

“She brings the girls up and provides constructive criticism in a positive and mature way. It provides her teammates with confidence and allows them to be successful.”

DeVito believes the Indians’ experienced midfield will also provide the backline some help in the early going. Penn Hills’ midfield includes a junior corps of Sierra Hankey, Dayvona Hogan, Katie Russell and Taylor Clayborn. Hankey finished with seven goals last season.

“I think we’re going to have the strongest midfield that we’ve ever had. In years past, when maybe our midfield wasn’t as strong, it put our defense under more pressure. But with us having such a good corps in the midfield, that’s going to give us a lot more support to the backline,” DeVito said.

Penn Hills will be part of the newly-formed Section 3-4A, which includes Norwin and Penn-Trafford. Norwin is the reigning PIAA Class 4A champion, while Penn-Trafford won the WPIAL title last season.

The Indians believe they’re in contention for the two other available playoff spots with Allderdice, Connellsville, Hempfield and Latrobe. Allderdice is the only returning playoff team of the four.

“I just see us all contributing all together to do very well this season. We’ve been playing together for years. We all just know where to be and how to help one another by talking nonstop,” Hankey said.

“Also, we need to know where we’re at all times so we can just move up and down the field together as one.”

The Indians start their season at home against Plum in nonsection action at 1 p.m. Sept. 1.

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

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