Philippon, youth dominate Generals’ soccer program

  • By Brian Questel
  • August 25, 2010
  • 267
                        
083010 girlssoccer preview promo: WHS wearing a bull’s-eye in OCC Philippon, youth dominate Generals’ soccer program By Brian Questel When a senior-dominated Wooster High girl’s soccer team took the field in 2009, one of its goals was to use that experience to make a run at the school’s first-ever soccer title. By season’s end, that goal had been accomplished as the senior-dominated Generals shared the Ohio Cardinal Conference title with Lexington en route to a 10-6-1 mark overall and a 4-2 regular-season showing in the OCC. The Generals followed up with three straight OCC tournament wins, including 1-0 shootout victories over Lexington and Ashland to gain a share of the crown. While Wudarzewski certainly wouldn’t mind defending the Generals’ share of the OCC title, his main concern is to continue building the program. “We’re not under any pressure,” said Wudarzewski. “There’s no pressure like last year where ‘We’ve gotta win’ since we had so many seniors. This year is one of growing times and working on the things we need to work on. What God brings, God brings.” The Generals certainly aren’t loaded with seniors after graduating seven a year ago. Captain Jen Fox is the only senior who will be starting, while classmates Chelsea Zhu, Laurel Sheron and Liz Lust will be providing support off the bench on the defensive side of the ball. However, that hardly means Wooster is without its weapons, as evidenced by a 1-1 draw against Cloverleaf in its season opener. The Colts, a top-10 team a year ago that went 17-1-1, returned a veteran squad, so that result carries considerable weight. “The girls will work hard and give it everything they have,” said Wudarzewski. “We will hit our bumps … but through it all, they are highly-spirited kids. They are not going to put their heads down. They will play hard, but we will have to keep healthy and stay away from any crazy bounces defensively, and we will be fine.” Wooster will be young. A pair of freshmen will be starting, with Tanzen Angert opening at stopper and Gabby Cicolani in the midfield, with Samantha Courson and Natalie Nye coming off the bench as middies as well. The youth movement continues into the sophomore class as well. Sarah Mason replaced OCC Defensive Player of the Year Cherakee Sigler at sweeper, while sophomore Heather Koontz will be one of the fullbacks. Ashley Jolly, a junior, returns at the other fullback for her third season on the varsity. In the midfield, sophomores Annalise Battig and Ellie Rickett will start alongside juniors Beth Courson and Jen Philippon, a pair of 2-year starters, and Kellie Baxstrom. Fox, a 4-year starter, will open on top in the Generals’ 4-5-1 shape. “Jen is a key,” said Wudarzewski. “She brings leadership on the field, she brings speed and she brings experience … and those three things she provides are huge.” Philippon scored the Generals’ goal against the Colts off an assist from Fox, and that pair – along with Courson and Battig – will be counted on to carry much of the scoring load. “Teams will play a couple of defenders around Phil,” said Wudarzewski. “She has a nose for the goal … and she’s a key to putting teams away. She’s worked hard all summer. Teams will put 2-3 girls on her and she will find the girl who is wide open.” At the back end of the Generals’ defense is junior Staci Hackett, who stepped into goal midway through last season and provided the Generals with solid keeping through the second half of their schedule. “This is a different program … we are a very, very young team,” said Wudarzewski. “Some seven seniors started (last year), and now we have girls who are 14 playing against 17-year-olds. That’s a huge hurdle. But, even though we are young, I have a very positive outlook. “Cloverleaf was a measuring stick as far as the district and we may still have a shot at the OCC. I’ve been impressed with the team unity. Everyone seems to have come together and is working hard and that is great to see.” Wooster opened its OCC play against Ashland Thursday and will host Medina Highland Monday.


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