2012 Varsity Season Preview

2012 Varsity Soccer Team

Despite nearly two weeks of rain-outs and two cancelled games, the Varsity Women's Soccer team is ready to hit the field running.  The team has been training hard both outdoors and indoors despite not being able to get onto the soaked soccer field.  Practices have included long runs for endurance, short runs for fitness, classroom practices for tactical training, and gym practices for skills development.  The team has been positive throughout the delays and last-minute cancellations and they are ready to move into next week's three-game schedule.  The opener for the Panthers will be Tuesday against crosstown rivals Cedar Ridge, followed by tough opponent Northern Durham on Wednesday, and  Riverside on Friday.  "I never thought I would say this, but I actually miss running on that soccer field," said Senior Mia Phillips, "I can't wait to get back out there." The team hopes to get back onto the field Monday to work on some last-minute adjustments before their first game Tuesday.

The coaches are certainly excited to have a team of hard-working, dedicated, and positive girls this season.  There are multiple coaches helping the team this season, including Assistant Coach Palmer Bowman, and Volunteers Jonathan Whitford, Maribel Portillo, and Myron Phillips.  "I hope the girls keep up the phenomenal work ethic they've shown so far," said Phillips.    Portillo echoed, "I'm really impressed with how they work as a team."

The team is led by 5 solid seniors this year: Katie Bumgarner, Brooke Hilliard, Tatiana Mangal, Mia Phillips, and Brittany Smith, who, despite what the picture shown right may suggest, are all role-models of composure on the field.  The seniors are vocal and exhibit excellent leadership, both on and off the field.  They also all bring in stellar grades for the Panthers.  The coaches anticipate that Mangal and Smith will be part of the defensive line, with Mangal also stepping into the role of secondary goalkeeper.  Bumgarner, Phillips, and Hilliard will all play midfield positions, utilizing their experience and vision of the field to control the pace and rhythm of Panther play.

The seniors are joined by 5 steadfast juniors: Devon Allen, MJ Bumgarner, Madison Chandler, Viviane Feldman, and Natalie Hartmond.  The juniors show great work ethic, not to mention talent and speed on the field.  Chandler will be starting in goal for the Panthers with Feldman and Hartmond right in front of her on the defensive line.  Allen and Bumgarner will rotate between midfield and forward positions, with Allen using her speed to play defense at the start of the season for the Panthers.  "The team is improving each practice," said Coach Whitford, "and I wouldn't be surprised to see an upset or two this season."

There are 5 sophomores adding to the squad: Ashley Blakemore, Grace Lamay, Hannah Mignosa, Natala Phillips, and Haley Strong.  The coaches anticipate that all of the sophomores will be adding to the team's offensive positions.  The coaches see a lot of potential for goal-scoring coming from this offensive-thinking sophomore class. 

Finally, the team is joined by two stellar additions to the team, freshmen Megan Joyner and Rachel Shinnick.  Joyner and Shinnick will both be starting on defense for the Panthers on Tuesday, but will both eventually try some time at midfield positions.  Both Joyner and Shinnick are hard-working, focused, and concise with a ball at their feet.  The coaches can't wait to see them get some game time.

We hope you'll join us for our first game this season: Tuesday, March 6th, at 6:45pm at Cedar Ridge! Go Panthers!