Pearl River Girls Soccer Opens Against Top Competition

The Pearl River girls soccer team opens the 2013 season with two of the toughest games on its schedule, playing at home against North Rockland 4:15 p.m. today and at Clarkstown South 4:15 p.m. Thusday.

"We'll find out where we are," Pearl River Head Coach Tim Peabody said. "We get two good tests. That will set the bar high for our kids and I think they'll respond to that."

Pearl River faces those challenges with a very different team from the one that beat Somers for the Section 1 Class A championship last fall. The Pirates lost players who accounted for 37 of their 56 goals, including first-team all-state midfielder Missy Scognamiglio and third-team all-state forward Casey Walsh. In addition to the departures by graduation, Grace Moynihan transferred to Holy Angel in New Jersey.

"It's definitely a very new group and a very young group," Peabody said. "We had some key losses, especially on an offensive standpoint.

"I think there is a good upside. The younger kids, they just have to understand it's going to take some baby steps in the beginning. I think we have to go back to being the hunter. Last year we were good. Once people get the stars out of their eyes and we get back to being the hunter, I think we can be very competitive."

Junior Annie White returns at forward after scoring 10 goals last season. Seniors Lea Miller and Erin Woods bring experience and talent in the center midfield.Junior Jules Madigan could make an impact in the midfield after being weakened by illness much of last season. Peabody said that sophomore Kelly Ann Egan, who played quite a bit two years ago as an eighth grader, has had a strong preseason and should help in the midfield.

The Pirates also return two sophomores from the defense that recorded shutouts in eight of the team's final 11 games last season, goalkeeper Lauren Gallagher and outside back Lauren Zimnoch. Two more sophomores, sweeper Kari Portington and stopper Maria Vitiello, are expected to step in as starters, replacing graduation losses Kelli Guerci and Megan Gallagher. Senior Maura Sullivan could also help on defense. 

"Both being sophomores, that's going to be a big switch back there," Peabody said.

Pearl River's roster features only five seniors. The 12-member sophomore class makes up more than half of the team. Freshman forward Shaelynn Guilfoyle and eighth grade outside midfielder Cate Feerick could end up helping right away. 

"That's the biggest challenge right now, integrating, building some chemistry and and adjusting to new responsibilities and a new level of play," Peabody said. "That's a large part of what we are spending our time on in the preseason."

"We have some good players in all spots on the field and really great depth. All 213 girls I have can play. That will help us, our overall skill level."

Pearl River 2013 Girls Soccer Roster
Seniors

• Maura Sullivan, defense
• Lea Miller, midfielder
• Emily McCarthy, goalkeeper
• Erin Woods, midfielder
• Emma Burnett, goalkeeper

• Kristen McGarvey, forward
• Ashley Payne, defense
• Annie White, forward/midfielder
• Julianna Madigan, midfielder

• Kelly Ann Egan, midfielder
• Caitlin Tyer, forward
• Lindsey Stephen, defense
• Colleen McCoy, forward/midfielder
• Kersten Coffey, midfielder
• Lauren Zimnoch, defense
• Maria Vitiello, defense
• Kaleigh Murphy, midfielder/defense
• Kari Portington, defense
• Lauren Gallagher, goalkeeper
• Christina Haddican, midfielder/defense
• Kelly McKenna, midfielder

• Shaelynn Guilfoyle, forward

• Cate Feerick, midfielder/defense