Shaker and Shen girls’ soccer fit to be tied
Despite deadlock, both teams feel lucky they have chance to play
There are no white or maroon patches to be claimed this November as the 2020 girls’ soccer season will not see teams compete in a sectional, regional or state tournaments. Victories are now found in somewhat unconventional ways. Take Tuesday evening, for instance.
Shenendehowa played its home opener and it also represented Senior Night in the second of 11 Suburban Council contests against Shaker.
“We are talking a lot about the ‘we get-to opportunities’,” Shenendehowa coach Holli Nirsberger said. “We’re lucky to get to be out here, we’re lucky to
be celebrating our seniors and we are lucky we have this opportunity to rewrite history coming out of this (coronavirus) pandemic in a safe way and being able to play.”
Shaker coach Mike Brehm agreed.
“We’re counting this season as a blessing right now,” Brehm said. “The amounts of texts I have gotten from March to September, if I had a penny for everyone I got I would be a millionaire. We were just so excited to (have a season), the girls weren’t upset about conditioning and running. They were just happy to be here. To play here against our rival on a beautiful night — it is not freezing or snowing — you couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Shen and Shaker competed at a high level over 80 minutes of action before settling for a 0-0 deadlock. This season, the Suburban Council is not playing overtime.
“A fine Suburban Council matchup at its best,” Nirsberger said. “I knew (Shaker) would match us with their speed and technical ability. They always are physical and we were ready for that. I thought it was a really well-played game. For as early as it is in the season, that was fun to be part of. Both sides played well.”
“It was a sectional-type feel. It usually is with a Shen- Shaker game,” Brehm said.
“We are always at each others’ neck and always trying to prove who is best,” said Shenendehowa defensive star Sophia Demura. “We are always competing to win and I think that brings out our best game.”
Demura not only excelled in the back for Shenendehowa (1-0-1 league, 1-0-1 overall), she also created some dangerous chances with free kicks. Late in the first half, DEMura delivered a crucial sequence after Shen goalie Madeline Franklin made a save, but fell down. Shaker sophomore midfielder Olivia Pardo corralled the rebound and fired a shot toward the goal, only to see Demura deftly clear the attempt away.
“Soph and our backs held it together for us in the first half,” Nirsberger said. “They were coming at us first with numbers. Then, (Brehm) pulled one off the front line but they were still coming at us with speed. Their forwards are very technical, so I thought our backs did a good job of holding tight.”
In the second half, Shaker’s Vivian Nartey, Mayah Wheeler and Bella Tronco produced threatening offensive opportunities for the Blue Bison (1-0-1, 1-0-1). Doing the same for Shen were Brooke Delsignore and Ava Caputo.
The final two minutes saw more scoring chances.
Tuesday’s contest produced a strong level of quality play which, considering practice did not begin until Sept. 21 and no scrimmages were allowed, proved to be a sight to behold given the circumstances.
Demura came out of the game with 16 minutes remaining with an injury and did not return. Although the senior wanted to emerge with a win Tuesday, she came away appreciative of having the chance to compete and have a Senior Night.
“I am very grateful ... very grateful,” Demura said.