Avoiding injuries key for Monessen girls soccer team
By JEFF OLIVER
MVI Sports
Going into his second season as Monessen girls soccer coach, Bill Phillips’ biggest concern is not the COVID-19 pandemic.
He just doesn’t want to see the trainer. And for good reason.
In 2019, Phillips opened the season with 18 players on the varsity roster. However, injuries took a toll on the Greyhounds and by season’s end, the Greyhounds were down to 11 or 12 dressed players.
“We had so many injuries – serious injuries – it was just crazy,” Phillips said. “I lost so many players and was forced to move a lot of girls around. It was tough.”
Not surprisingly, the Greyhounds finished 2-10 in Section 2-A. They were 4-14 overall.
Going into this season, not only does Phillips have a year of coaching under his belt, but he has good mix of veteran and youthful experienced players, many who have versatility.
Now he just wants to see them all stay healthy.
“I’m excited about what we have,” Phillips said. “We have a lot of starters back and we have some depth. The key for us is to just stay healthy. Please, let us stay healthy.”
The Greyhounds return nine players with starting experience, including four seniors – Sydney Caterino (forward), Audrey Rhome (forward), Alexandria DeFelices (defender) and Tatyana VanHooser (defender).
Returning junior starters are Mya Petruska (midfielder) and Kinsey Wilson (defender) and returning sophomore starters include Aaliyah Rice (forward), Sydney Phillips (midfielder) and Abby Rhome (forward).
Rice (seven goals) and Caterino (six goals) were the leading scorers a year ago and will be counted on again to lead Monessen’s offense.
“Rice was just a freshman and Caterino missed some games last year, so her numbers should be higher this season,” Phillips said.
DeFelices anchors Monessen’s defensive set and Phillips cited VanHooser as the team’s most improved player.
“Abby Rhome had a broken foot and returned for the last two games and she can make a difference,” Phillips said.
‘We were so shorthanded and young last year, but as the season wore on we were much more competitive,” said Phillips. “There are reasons to be optimistic if we can stay healthy.”
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