High School Soccer Kicks Off With Freedom-Wharton Matchup

The Wharton Wildcats are the older, more established team, both boys and girls. Tuesday night's game was reflective of where the teams are in their development.

 

Wharton Boys:

The Wharton boys team took a 1-0 lead late in the first half and held on to keep the Freedom boys safely at bay.

The head of the Wildcat attack is senior forward Felipe Desousa. Desousa was the leading goal-scorer for Wharton last year with 15 and he looks to improve on those numbers in his senior year.

"He's only in his second year with the team and he's already an excellent player," said Wildcat head coach Scott Ware.

Seniors Alex Noble and Isnardin "Izzy" Cadet also return for the Wildcats. "Alex makes a dangerous tandem with Felipe, and Izzy has really turned it on his senior year," said Ware.

Ware and the Wildcats look to improve on their 12-10-1 record from last year.

"Focus on the process and the results will come," is Ware's mantra.

 

Wharton Girls:

The girls team is a little more explosive. They hung a 3-1 defeat on Freedom on Tuesday night. They have more weapons up front.

Junior forward Leah Chisolm is a dominant player with breakaway speed and good ball-handling skills.

"She is a dynamic game-changer for us," said Wildcat head coach Denis Vukorep.

Chisolm scored a fantastic goal in the second half of the Freedom game; battling through a defender and booting in the game-icing third goal.

Seniors Emily Belanger at center back and Heather Montgomery at keeper will be looked to for veteran leadership. "Emily has been our central defender for three years and is very dependable," said Vukorep. "Heather makes all the saves we need and is an inspirational leader."

Montgomery became the school record-holder for career saves on Tuesday night, notching her 322nd save.

Junior forward Ashni Deschenes scored the first two goals for Wharton in the Freedom game.

 

Freedom Boys:

While they absorbed a 1-0 loss on Tuesday, they showed some resilience and some promise for the 2011-2012 season.

"We think we can be competitive in the district this year," said Patriot head coach Dennis Derflinger.

The team hopes to improve on a humble 6-12 record from last year and they will have some help. Senior forward Larry Thorpe returns as the top goal-scorer from last year.

"He's aggressive and puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses," said Derflinger.

Also returning are seniors Brian Brenner at midfield and Evan Kruk at forward. "Brian is off to a great start, he scored three goals in the first game this year," said Derflinger.

 

Freedom Girls:

The Patriot girls team is poised to improve on their 14-2-3 record and regional quarterfinal appearance from last season.

"We want more than the district this year," said Patriot head coach Jenna Ball.

Returning for Freedom is senior keeper Emily Ball. "She's our strongest asset in the back," said Ball.

Ball and the Pats conceded three goals to the Wildcats Tuesday night but had several saves.

Also returning are seniors Sarah Hill at center mid and Alyssa Daniello at left wing. "Sarah is a very positive player and leads by example," said Ball. "Alyssa is very fast down the line and always a threat on the left side."