North Catholic girls soccer shows potential in win over Freeport: ‘This is a new year and a new team’
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The North Catholic girls celebrate with Lauren Mealie after she scores the fourth and final goal of the match in a girls soccer game on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Freeport High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Butler Eagle
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North Catholic’s girls soccer team defeated Freeport 4-0 in a girls soccer game on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Freeport High School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Butler Eagle
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Freeports Alyssa Alcorn passes downfield after stopping a North Catholic offensive attack. In a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Freeport High School.
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North Catholics Maria Pasquinelli passes out of a Freeport offensive try. In a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Freeport High School.
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North Catholics Breanna Rock passes downfield to avoid a Freeport offensive push. In a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Freeport High School.
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Freeport's own Tess Hanak on the offensive push in a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Freeport High School. (09/11/24)
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Freeports Camryn Woods on the defensive against North Catholics Julia Siket. In a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Freeport High School.
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Freeports Cece Schlegel passes downfield in a late offensive push. In a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Freeport High School.
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Freeports Camryn Woods dribbles through defenders in a early offensive attack. In a girls soccer game Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Freeport High School.
BUFFALO TWP — North Catholic’s girls soccer team is no longer focused on last year’s disappointment. Rather, the Trojanettes are zoned in on this year’s potential.
In a battle of unbeaten teams Wednesday night, North defeated Section 2-2A foe Freeport 4-0 on the Yellowjackets’ home field.
Kathleen Virostek, Mikaela Canzian and Simone Sharpless each scored in the first half for a commanding 3-0 lead.
Lauren Mealie then found the net in the 45th minute and the Trojanettes (8-0, 3-0) remained perfect through eight games.
“We connected well and played as a team,” North senior defender Ally DeGlau said. “We know our strengths and played to them tonight.”
North entered last year’s WPIAL quarterfinal playoff against Shady Side Academy with a 14-2 record, but saw their season end with a 3-1 loss to the Bulldogs.
“It was definitely disappointing, but this is a new year and a new team,” DeGlau said.
The Trojanettes have outscored their opponents 29-3 thus far.
The team has been bolstered by the play of a first-year starter in net, sophomore Riley Marsico.
“We don’t have a set game plan because every game is different,” North coach DJ Sharpless said. “We looked at tonight as just another game. We’re in a new section and want to win it.”
Freeport (4-1, 2-1) had shut out three of its first four opponents, but things began to unravel with Virostek’s goal in the 18th minute, set up by Mealie’s cross from left of the net.
Before the score, the ‘Jackets were awarded several free kicks within 40 yards of North’s net and a corner kick, but the opportunities fizzled quickly.
“We lost our composure a bit and it threw us off,” Freeport coach Steve Kukic said. “We weren’t clicking today, but North had a lot to do with that. They are physical and organized and just played better than we did tonight.”
North and Freeport will meet again Oct. 5.
Both teams now prepare for section clashes on Monday. Freeport visits Burrell while the Trojanettes host Shady Side Academy.
