KP Girls Soccer Looking to Rebound

Last fall the King Philip girls soccer team was prepared to fight for supremacy in the Hockomock league, but before things could really get going the Warriors found themselves in a big hole with no possible way to get out.
“It was really rough, we had more injuries than we could shake a stick at,” King Philip Coach Gary Pichel said. “During the first game of the season we lost three starters to injury, another two in the second game and before you knew it we had 9 of our 11 starters out. We were basically a JV team playing varsity competition and we didn’t fair too well.”
The Warriors will look to return to the top of the league with its four captains: senior strikers Rachel Hogan and Maddie Smith along with fullbacks Sarah Fleck and Katherine Turner. Before the season even got underway Pichel believes that his captains have already done a lot for the squad. Not only did the captains make it their goal to get the rest of the team in condition, they bring a positive attitude to the field. According to the coach, they are probably the best group of captains he’s had in his five-year tenure at KP.
“Sarah and Katherine have been with me since their freshman year and bring a lot of experience to the field, while Rachel and Maddie should be able to provide the team offense, something we haven’t had in years,” the coach said.
In addition to Hogan and Smith putting up some offensive numbers, Pichel will be looking to his future star, freshman striker Chloe Layne to give the Warriors a spark.
“Chloe is a very gifted and talented athlete,” he said. “She can move the ball through two or three players with ease and then has a wicked shot.”
Another freshman, Avery Snead, who stands 5’ 10”, should provide some havoc with Smith. According to her coach, the first year varsity player is a very talented midfielder with the natural ability to make plays and has the best shot on the team; one where she can strike from 25 yards out and put it through the keeper’s hands.
While the offense will hopefully be putting the ball into the back of the opposition’s net on a regular basis, the defense will be looking to keep their foes at bay. Junior center fullback Emma Corcoran, who is entering her third season, is considered one of the most talented fullbacks in the Hockomock League according to Pichel.
Showing that she has turned the corner this fall is sophomore outside fullback Lauren Anderson, who has made all the necessary plays in the pre-season using her quickness and skills.
The last line of defense will fall on first year starting keeper Emma Durant. The junior goalie has played some club soccer and has good hands leaving Pichel in a good state of mind.
“Emma doesn’t need to punt the ball out of the defensive end like most keepers,” the KP Coach said. “She has quick hands that allow her to get the balls to the outlet quickly; she’s a good field general.”
Melina Connolly, also a junior, will be Durant’s back-up. The two goalies are very similar when it comes to the way they play the position, however Connolly is a little taller and more athletic but does not have much training.
Having a full arsenal of talented players this fall, Pichel is looking at guiding his team back into the hunt for the league championship.
“The Hock is a brutal league with some talented teams. Oliver Ames, Franklin and Mansfield will be fighting it out for the title and we should be right there with them,” Pichel said. “I think that we’re going to take the league by surprise as a lot of teams are going to underestimate us because of last year’s record. They know that we’ll be stronger, but they haven’t seen our freshman game changers.”
In addition to capturing the league title, KP is also looking to go deep into the state tournament.