Knights gunning for return to WPIAL playoffs

By JOHN ENRIETTO Eagle Sports Editor

August 29, 2007 Last Updated: August 29, 2007 02:29 PM High School

JEFFERSON TWP— Losing two players to top-level college programs usually spells trouble for a high school soccer team.

Consider the Knoch girls squad the exception to that rule.

The Knights have sent P.J. Abels, a Butler Eagle Elite 11 selection last season, on to the University of Pittsburgh while Meghan McCrea is now playing for Slippery Rock University.

But with Knoch coming off a 12-7 season and a third consecutive WPIALplayoff appearance, fifth-year coach Amy Travis has plenty left in the cupboard.

"We've still got quite a few quality players back,"Travis said. "Our biggest problem is our numbers are low overall. We don't have a lot of depth."

But they do have senior forward Amanda Sharbaugh, who might be the best girls soccer player in Butler County. She scored 33 goals and added 10 assists last year.

Two other key seniors are defender Alex Gordon and goalkeeper Brea Thrower.

"We lost a big senior class, but we've picked up three quality freshmen, too,"Travis said. "We should be fine."

Here is a look at Butler County girls soccer this fall:

• Coach:Nicole Hilderbrand, first year• Last Year:4-12-3 overall, 1-9-2 in section• Key Losses:Karilee Cowan, Lisa Rodgers (Akron)• Key Players:Goalie-midfielder Ashley Oluschak (junior), defender Stephanie Harrison (senior), midfielder Becca Crissman (senior), forward Alex DiMartino (senior), midfielder-defender Amanda Malecky (senior), midfielder-forward Chelsey Rock (soph.)• Hilderbrand says:"I have a great group of girls who are working extremely hard. I'm confident we're going to pull it together and have a good season. With the proper mind-set — being ready to play with confidence and competitiveness — we have the talent to make a run for the playoffs."

• Coach:Sean Glackin, first year• Last Year:11-1 in section, lost in WPIALsemifinals• Key Losses:Maurielle Blake, Kirsten Almquist, Allison McClelland• Key Players:Forward Kayla Eckman (junior), center-midfielder Courtney Boroski (junior), defender Jordan Dunn (senior), defender Alyssa Blake (junior), center-midfielder Sam Weber (soph.)• Glackin says:"We've got four freshmen bidding for starting positions right now. The roster has one senior, 12 juniors, two sophomores and nine freshmen, but there's a lot of talent here. We're going to attack teams because we have incredibly skilled ballhandlers. Sam Weber broke her sternum in a scrimmage and won't be back for four weeks. That's something we have to overcome."

• Coach:Lisa Castiglione, second year• Last Year:16-3-1, District 9 champion• Key Loss:Kiersten Foreback (goalkeeper)• Key Players: Center-midfielder Julieanne Scott (senior) 12 goals, 25 assists; forward Allyson Kepple (senior) 33 goals, forward Michelle Sweeney (senior) 36 goals, center-midfielder Cristen Futcher (junior), sweeper Samantha Bly (junior), defender Hannah Beck (junior), defender Millie McKain (soph.), goalie Alaina Burns (junior)• Castiglione says:"It's not about the individuals, this is a team thing. I sat down with the girls at the end of last season and we decided to play a tougher schedule to prepare us for the state playoffs. We have the kind of talent that could end up in Hershey, but we have to keep challenging ourselves throughout the season."

• Coach:Amy Travis, fifth year• Last Year:12-7-1, second in section, eliminated in first round of WPIALplayoffs• Key Losses:P.J. Abels (Pitt), Meghan McCrea (Slippery Rock), Kayla Bartell, Erin Lewis• Key Players:Forward Amanda Sharbaugh (senior) 33 goals, 10 assists; defender Alex Gordon (senior), goalie Brea Thrower (senior), midfielder Audrey Scott (junior), midfielder Amanda Bartell (junior), midfielder Nancy Paul (senior), defender Libby Burris (senior), midfielder Jeanne Sullivan (senior), defender Liz McElroy (senior)• Travis says:"Amanda has been our leading scorer every year since her freshman year. We only have 22 players in the program, so it's tough for us to even field a junior-varsity team, but our goal is to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year and at least get to the second round."

• Coach:Blair Gerlach, first year• Last Year:Record N/A, missed playoffs• Key Losses:Angela Higgins, Megan Eidenshink• Key Players:Forward Glennis Robash (senior), midfielder Marci Dillner (senior), midfielder Sarah Heckman (junior), sweeper Tori Gressang• Gerlach says:"We had 23 freshmen come out this year and for the first time in Mars history, we had to make cuts. We have 12 seniors, a strong sophomore class and 49 players overall. We're a little inexperienced but hard-working, and these seniors want to make the playoffs badly because they haven't been there."

• Coach:Dave Sylvester, seventh tear• Last Year:Finished second in section, eliminated in first round of WPIALplayoffs• Key Losses:Alyssa Gamelier, Jessica Meurer, Caitlin Elser• Key Players:Defender Logan Gamelier (senior), defender Becca Pecora (senior), forward Kate Kelly (soph.), forward Karisa Fernandez (junior), center-midfielder Aleisha Rees (junior), midfielder Lauren Royal (junior), outside midfielder Brianna Meurer (junior), defender Jenny Jergel (junior), defender Barbie Rohm (junior)• Sylvester says:"We've got seven sophomores back who played a lot last year. It's a little early to tell how we'll do this year because we're so young. We play in a tough section, but this team will develop."

• Coach:Les Smith, first year• Last Year:21-3, eliminated in PIAAsemifinals• Key Losses:Kelsey Drennen, Jence Rhoads, Bethany Johnston, Tara Huff, Britney Miller• Key Players:Sweeper Shanea Raabe (senior) captain, forward Sarah Cessar (soph.), forward Elissa McCune (junior), goalie Ali Doyle (soph.), midfielder Alex Vukelich (junior)• Smith says:"We only have four starters back, so I don't think this team will be as explosive as last year's. The skill level is here to have a good season, though, and we should be competitive. ..."