The Hampton football team isn’t the only team at the school playing tough defense this season. At least they let their opponents score more than once a month. The girls soccer team is playing sideline-to-sideline defense that is staunch, even by its lofty standards. The top-ranked Lady Talbots (12-1-1) have permitted two goals in 14 games this season, and, before last week’s 3-1 victory over Pine-Richland, had shut out an amazing 24 consecutive Section 7-AAA opponents. Dating to last year, Hampton has allowed seven goals in its past 36 games. ‘Even our forwards play defense,’ all-WPIAL senior sweeper Mel Roczko said. Behind its smothering defense and ball-control offense, Hampton has bolted to a 9-0-0 start in the section. The Lady Talbots, who are 66-1-2 in their past 69 section games, can clinch their 11th consecutive section title when they play second-place Ambridge (7-1-1) on Wednesday. Roczko and all-WPIAL goalkeeper Jamie Pelusi are the senior leaders on the defense. They are joined by junior outside back Anjali Nair and sophomore outside back Cara Lawry, filling in for injured senior Megan Burns (eye). Another senior, All-WPIAL midfielder Sheila Nair, also maintains this strict defensive mentality. The defenders have three traits – athleticism, soccer instincts and confidence in each other. Roczko and Pelusi have been teammates since sixth grade. ‘I think it’s just the cohesiveness of the kids,’ coach Frank Christy said. ‘They are so comfortable with each other. Mel has the speed to run down anybody, and the other girls play the angles. Our midfield possesses the ball a lot and if a breakaway occurs, everybody gets back.’ Not that Pelusi needs much help. Entering this past weekend’s Buzz Miller Tournament at Hampton, she had 12 shutouts in 14 games this season. With 48 career shutouts, she stands within striking range of school record holder Mara Lee, who had 56 in the mid-90s. Lee’s total ranks nationally at No. 6 all-time. Pelusi is tied for 10th. ‘It’s getting interesting,’ Christy said. Hampton was scheduled to play high-scoring Quaker Valley on Friday. Quaker Valley has scored 10 or more goals in a game nine times this season. When Pine-Richland scored in the first half of their Sept. 29 game with Hampton, it ended a remarkable streak of Section 7-AAA shutouts. Since losing to Hopewell, 1-0, on Oct. 6, 1999, Hampton nearly had gone 2,000 minutes of section games without allowing a goal. Hampton’s only other goal this season came in a 1-0 loss to State College in the first week of the season. While its team defense is among the best in the WPIAL, Hampton is striving to become a more consistent scoring team. The Lady Talbots have netted more than three goals only four times in 14 games, and their top scorer, junior striker Corey Cardone, has eight goals. In its past five WPIAL and PIAA playoff games, Hampton has managed only three goals. Last year’s season ended with a 1-0 shootout loss to Norwin in the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals. ‘We’ve had trouble in our playoff games,’ Roczko said. ‘This year, we’re planning on winning without having to go into overtime.’ The team also is motivated by the memory of its fallen equipment manager, George Kile, 56, of McCandless, who died Aug. 25, about a week before the start of the season. ‘It was a tough two weeks for the girls,’ Christy said. ‘We dedicated the season to him, and it’s been a pretty good dedication so far.’

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