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Skyland Conference Valley Division Girls Soccer Preview Capsules

Alyssa Davis
Staff Writer

BERNARDS

Coach: Chris Habermas, 10th season

Last year’s record: 13-9

Top lettermen lost: Emily Maheras (M), Avery Bolton (DF), Nicole Sullivan (GK).

Returners: Kate Brito (Jr., M), Elyse Reed (So., M), Elizabeth Coury (So., F), Claudia Prandoni (Sr., F), Charlotte Grimm (Sr., DF), Ellie Taylor (Jr., M/DF), Makenna Davis (So., F), Ahjin Yoo (So., DF/M), Taylor Demartino (Sr., DF/M), Erin Roehr (Sr., DF), Laurel Mchale (Jr., F), Regan Chatwin (So., DF), Annie Gillis (Jr., F).

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Newcomers: Susan Oberschmidt (Fr., GK), Meredith Hespe (So, GK), Jenna Whelan (Jr., GK).

Outlook: After finishing second in the Skyland Valley last season with a very young team, one that often featured up to eight starting freshmen and sophomores, the Mountaineers return with a bit more experience behind them. Habermas is hoping that the added experience translates into better field composure. Bernards will display depth this season, with many athletes able to play multiple positions which will make it tough for the opposition to manage. The Mountaineers hope to get back to the Group II final match which they last reached in 2013.

DELAWARE VALLEY

Coach: Drew Huzar, first season

Last year’s record: 3-13-1

Top lettermen lost: Elizabeth Bill (F), Kelly Comerford (DF), Kelsey Kunich (M), Ashley O’Toole (GK), Marissa Skripko (DF).

Returners: Skylar Devitt (Sr., DF), Valeria Latragna (Sr., F), Juliet Lomonte (Sr., M), Brynne Silva (Sr., DF), Amanda Lebelt (Jr., M), Jessica Ludwig (Jr., F), Kayla Reinhart (Jr., DF), Mia Soricello (Jr., F), Mia Soricelli (Jr., F), Kayley Brooks (So., F).

Newcomers: Jess Aroneo (Sr., M), Laina D’Costa (Sr., M), Rebecca Karcher (Sr., M), Zoe Mirabella (Sr., F), Rebecca Wolven (Sr.), Alexzandra Zdepski (Jr., DF), Chenoa Bernhardt (So., DF), Gigi Cascio (So., M), Katherine Schiereck (So., F), Brianna Schneider (So., GK).

Outlook: With a small senior group of Terriers last season, several underclassmen were able to receive varsity playing time, which affords them the luxury of depth this year. Huzar said that a total reconstruction was done for preseason practices to familiarize his team with turf fields, since Delaware Valley’s pitch is grass and almost all of the opposition have artificial turf. Huzar’s main goal has been preparing his ranks to play on various surfaces which he hopes will help them to their first winning season since 2013. Devitt, Silva, and Reinhart will make up the Terriers defense protecting Schneider while Latragna, Lomonte, Lebelt, Ludwig, Soricelli, Bernhardt and Brooks will forge the attack.Huzar replaces Scott Cariddi, who stepped down at the end of last season after guiding Del Val for 22 years. He is the only coach the Terriers had ever had.

IMMACULATA

Coach: Juan Castrillon, first season

Last year’s record: 1-11-1

Top lettermen lost: Katie Mulkerin (M).

Returners: Anna Oliveri (Sr., DF), Naiya Jefferson (So., F), Natalie Givens (Sr., M), Hallie Dolan (Sr., DF), Alexa Marsh (So., M), Jenna Kozic (So., DF), Teri Jackson (So., F), Stefani Peluso (Sr., M), Christina Slurka (Sr., DF), Michelle Antico (Sr., M), Chloe Martin (Jr., GK).

Outlook: With Castrillon taking over the reigns as head coach, the Spartans look to turn things around after five straight losing seasons. With only one major postseason loss, Immaculata returns an experienced group that has already shown hard work through practices. Oliveri will take on a leadership role, while 11 freshmen bring young blood to the team.

MOUNT ST. MARY

Coach: Phillip Iuliano, fourth season

Last year’s record: 11-9

Top lettermen lost: Cassandra O’ Connor (DF), Adrienne Capants (M), Shannon Zimmerman (M), Isabel Rivera (M), Kristen Belger (F).

Returners: Michaela Walsh (So., GK), Caroline Cull (So., D), Hailey Longstreet (So., D), Katherine Sartor (So., M), Cassidy Connett (Jr., GK), Emma Bedell (Jr., F), Katherine Butler (Jr., M), Kelly Kacani (Jr., M), Hanna Guarnuccio (Jr., M), Alaina Parisella (Jr., F), Elizabeth Cappucci (Jr., M), Jennifer Cappucci (Sr., M), Olivia Carini (Sr., F), Kristen Cavallo (Sr., DF).

Outlook: With a sizable group of returners, the Mount Lions will have more experience on the field this year than they did last. Jennifer Cappucci and Kacani will take on leadership roles as Mount St. Mary attempts to earn among top two placement in its division, a goal set by Iuliano. The fourth-year coach also said he wants to win 15 games and be a county and state semifinalist. Be sure to watch Butler and Guarnuccio as they will likely have breakout performances for the Mount Lions while Bedell and Parisella will undoubtedly show continued production, the coach said,

SOMERVILLE

Coach: Michael Kydonieus, 11th season

Last year’s record: 16-3-1

Top lettermen lost: Marisa Adelman (F), Delaney Koddenberg (DF), Kaylee Lewis (DF).

Returners: Alexis Williams (Sr., F), Christina Cernuto (Jr., F), Sarah Coulson (Sr., GK), Olivia Markowski (Sr., DF), Codie Bartow (Sr., DF), Emily Cleary (So., M), Kylie Sullivan (So., M), Jamie Stansfield (So., M), Katie Marin (Jr., DF), Ashlyn Jess (Jr., DF), Katrina White (So., M), Danielle Ciufo (Sr., F), Kristen Lewis (Jr., M), Sara Merchant (Jr., M).

Outlook: After capturing their ninth conference title in 10 years and making a run to the North II Group III final in 2015, the Pioneers return nine starters and 14 letterwinners to the 2016 campaign which could translate into even more success. Adelman will be a significant loss to sustain as she was Somerville’s leading goal scorer but, with a speedy Williams leading the strike opportunities may come. Kydonieus said his goals are to win division, county and state titles.

VOORHEES

Coach: TBD

Last year’s record: 13-21-3

Top lettermen lost: Sydney Ziemba, Haley Vavrek.

Returners: Christine Benson (Sr., M), Alexandra Best (Sr., GK), Natalie Diaz (Sr., F), Claire Furino (Sr., M), Avery Gavornik (Sr., DF/M), Maia Lewis (Jr., DF), Natalie Young (Jr., M), Sarah Whaley (Sr., DF), Maggie Wittpenn (Sr., GK), Lexington Wold (Jr., DF).

Outlook: The Vikings will have a new head coach, yet to officially be hired. It'll be their fifth skipper in six seasons.