HARRY S TRUMAN GIRLS’ SOCCER PREVIEW
Coach: Brian Gilbert, 2nd year head coach
Assistant coach: Mike Morris
Last year’s record: Overall record 2-13-1, SOL record 0-6
Notable losses: Truman lost three starting Fullbacks, three captains (Liz Delaney, Grace Darpino and Laila Lorentz) and a 4-year varsity starting goaltender to graduation (Aubrey Thompson). Darpino led the team in minutes played. Lorenti, a Suburban One First-team all-league selection, will continue her soccer career at Widener University. Goalkeeper Thompson (Suburban One Honorable Mention) will be playing collegiate soccer for Gwynedd Mercy. Fullback Jada Akins is a multi-sport athlete and will be wrestling at Felician University.
Key returners: Senior Captain Lila Giunta (striker) returns, along with teams leading scorer Gwen Marston (striker). Marston was named captain alongside fellow Junior classmates Bella Romer (Fullback) and Natalie Klimowicz (versatile multi-position player). Returning Seniors include Monica Almanza (fullback). Skyla Leiva (forward), Julianna Aviles (mid-field), Azra Biyik (forward) and Layla Cruz (forward)
Others to watch: Junior Dani Gilbert will move into the starting goaltender position. We are a young team with four starting Freshman (Maddie Egan, Brennan Gilbert, Lily Hadfield and Payton Morris) and a starting sophomore (Harley Palencik).
Strengths/Question Marks: “The team will tackle the difficult task of replacing their starting goaltender and all three starting fullbacks from a program that is already low on numbers and has not had a JV team to help build the program in several years. With the leadership from our captains and upperclassmen, the strength of this team has been their sense of togetherness. In a season with substantially more losses than wins, they’ve stuck together, supported one another and continue to keep a positive attitude.”
Outlook: “We are a young team that will feature more freshmen and sophomores and less seniors than just about any varsity team we will face. Obviously, we are striving to surpass last year’s win total, but the goal remains Progression over Perfection. Several girls are learning new positions, and we want to be able to possess and control the ball more and improve on our goal differential.”
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