Coach turning Plum into power
Two years and two WPIAL runner-up trophies. Not a bad start to a head coaching career.
That’s what Jamie Stewart has done in his first two years as Plum’s girls soccer coach. The Mustangs advanced to the WPIAL Class 3A title match both years, but fell short in both matches against Mars, which has won three consecutive titles.
“The program is coming along,” said Stewart, who served as an assistant at Gateway prior to taking over at Plum. “We are continuing to build on what we set forth in year 1. The goal was to continue the winning tradition and we’ve been able to do that.”
That tradition has continued this season. Plum claimed the Section 3 title for the third consecutive year with a 12-0 record and entered the WPIAL playoffs as the No. 2 seed with a 16-11 overall record.
In Monday’s first-round match against Laurel Highlands, five Mustangs scored in a 7-1 victory, including junior midfielder Camryn Rogers who recorded a hat trick.
“We pride ourselves on having a balanced attack,” said Stewart of the Mustangs, who outscored their opponents, 106-7, during the regular season. “It’s not all about one person. We try to leverage all of our talent on offense and the girls have bought into that. Everybody is happy when someone scores.”
Plum had four players score 10 or more goals during the regular season. Junior forward Kaitlyn Killinger led the way with 27 goals. The other doubledigit scorers were senior forward Marissa Liberto (16), Rogers (12) and junior forward Annabel Ahrin (11).
“Kaitlyn is a three-year starter,” Stewart said. “When teams mark her it provides opportunities for other players.”
Plum’s offense will be challenged in Thursday’s quarterfinals, as the Mustangs will face Section 1 runner-up Hampton, a team they are very familiar with. The two squads met Oct. 20 in a non-section match that capped the regular season. The match ended in a scoreless tie.
“We’re expecting another defensive battle,” Stewart said. “A semifinal berth is on the line.”
Moon
Moon is one of three teams in the Class 4A bracket that had a bye in Monday’s first round. Coach Bill Pfeifer was glad to see his squad get a break from its challenging schedule, but hopes it doesn’t have a negative effect on the Tigers as they enter Thursday’s quarterfinal match against Butler.
“It’s great to get a firstround bye, but it’s a long bye,” said Pfeifer, referring to the fact that Moon’s last regular-season game was Oct. 16, which translates into a 12-day layoff. “It’s been almost two weeks since we played our last game.”
Pfeifer pointed out that having so much time off can be a “double-edged sword.”
“I gave the girls a couple days off,” Pfeifer said. “They deserved that after such a demanding regularseason schedule.”
Pfeifer saw just how demanding their schedule was after practice on Monday.
“We had 12-13 kids getting iced and wrapped after our practice,” Pfeifer said. “Everybody is fighting injuries at this time of the year and we are no different. Fortunately, everybody should be available for Thursday’s match.”
Pfeifer is hoping the Tigers don’t lose the momentum they built up during a very successful regular-season campaign. Moon posted a 10-1-1 record in Section 2 and a 13-1-1 overall mark.
“Defense has played a big part in our success,” Pfeifer said. “We’ve allowed only four goals.”
Moon’s defensive backfield features both experience and youth. Seniors Mia Shaver and Madison Felton are joined in the backfield by sophomores Gabby Larson and Marina Mollica.
“All four have done a great job keeping the ball away from our goalkeeper,” Pfeifer said. “The midfielders and forward have also played great team defense.”
Sophomore Serayah Leech has handled most of the goalkeeping duties.
“We have a senior goalkeeper who was all-section last year, but she decided to concentrate on rugby,” Pfeifer said. “Serayah has stepped in and done a great job for us.”
Pfeifer began his second stint at Moon this season. He spent 17 years at Moon, then left after the 2017 season and coached two years at Hopewell and one year at Central Valley.
“It’s good to be back,” Pfeifer said. “I didn’t know how people would react to the change, and whether the girls would take to me. Fortunately, they have bought into my system of playing for each other, that team concept.”
Shady Side Academy
Shady Side Academy coach Mary Lynch feels more comfortable entering this year’s Class 2A playoffs than last year.
“We were new to Class 2A last year,” said Lynch, referring to the fact that Shady Side Academy made 10 consecutive final four appearances in Class 1A prior to the move up in classification. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. And COVID- 19 didn’t make it any easier. We were not allowed to schedule non- section matches last year.”
Despite its limited knowledge of Class 2A, Shady Side Academy was seeded No. 2 in last year’s bracket and advanced to the semifinals before losing in overtime to eventual champion North Catholic.
“We’re better prepared for this year’s playoffs,” said Lynch, who led her squad to a second consecutive Section 2 title.
Shady Side Academy finished the regular season with a 10-1-1 record, but was only seeded No. 5 in the 17team bracket.
“It’s out of my control,” said Lynch, when asked if she felt her squad should have been seeded higher. “It is what it is. We just have to focus on the team we are playing and not be concerned with the seeding.”
Shady Side posted a 7-0 win against Keystone Oaks in Tuesday’s first round. The Bulldogs will face No. 13 seed Quaker Valley (7-8-2) on Saturday. The Quakers upset No. 4 seed Elizabeth Forward, 2-1, in the first round.
“We have a strong senior class who have been the key to our success,” Lynch said. “Five of our six seniors are starters.”
Lynch is referring to center midfielder Autumn Casey, striker Gabby HillJunke, center back Sophia White, right back Tessa White and goalkeeper Erin Vanetta. All but Vanetta were starters last year.
“A lot of our players saw playing time in the playoffs last year, so they know what to expect,” Lynch said. “Overall, it’s a very competitive field with a lot of good teams.”
Hill-Junke led the Bulldogs in scoring during the regular season with 12 goals. Sadie Navid, a sophomore forward-midfielder, was a close second with 11.