The Hampton girls soccer team will rely on senior leadership to reach the playoffs in a competitive section.
The Talbots have to find a way to beat tough teams like North Allegheny, Seneca Valley and Pine-Richland. Coach Bill Paholich says his team has a talented midfield and will have to make the most out of corners and scoring opportunities to push past the formidable teams in the section.
“We're a smaller AAA school, and Butler, North Allegheny, Seneca Valley, and Pine-Richland are going to be a real test for the team,” Paholich said. “Hopefully we'll be a real test for them.”
The Talbots have plenty of skilled underclassmen, but the season will depend on how well the seniors can lead the team. The team captains are defenseman Grace Berman and midfielders Lexi Meglio and Katie Felitsky.
“The season depends on how much some of the underclassmen step up and how much my senior class can lead them. If everyone comes together, then anything can happen,” Paholich said.
The captains are looking forward to leaving everything on the field in their senior year.
“Everyone in our bracket is always really good, and it's always a challenge to play any team,” Felitsky said. “Our goal is to make the playoffs and see where it goes from there.”
Lexi Meglio said the team has great chemistry, and the underclassmen are starting to step up. The seniors have made it a point to bond with the underclassmen, bring them out of their shells and make sure everyone knows they are important parts of the team.
“We step out there as a team, and we play for each other,” Meglio said.
Meglio is excited about the younger players' potential and is happy that after her senior year she can leave the team in good hands.
“It just makes me so happy to play a sport that I love with the people I love,” Meglio said.
