S. ABINGTON TWP. — Members of the Abington Heights girls soccer team are striving to win a district championship and first-year head coach Errol Mannick took the job in hopes of helping them achieve that goal.

The Lady Comets finished last year with a 16-6 record and claimed the Lackawanna League Division 2 championship, in a dramatic win over Wallenpaupack in penalty kicks, before falling to Crestwood, 5-1, in the District 2 Class 3A title game.

The team returns seven starters and senior Emily Clauss, who is back as a midfielder, believes the squad has the potential to surpass last season’s success.

“We’ve been working really hard and I think a district championship is definitely in our future,” Clauss said.

Mannick led the Mountain View girls soccer team to four district title wins (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013) and hopes to restore the championship tradition at Abington Heights. The Lady Comets won four consecutive district titles from 2009-2012.

“I want to help them get to that point, too, and these girls want it, especially the senior group,” Mannick said. “There are a lot of kids on the team who are really into soccer and it would be nice if I could help them experience that (success) for themselves.”

Seniors Abby Brown, Paige Morgan and Meghan Noone return to anchor the team’s defense.

Morgan will be utilized as a sweeper in the team’s diamond formation.

“She played excellent in our first scrimmage,” Mannick said. “She has a good foot, she’s smart and she’s really taking on the responsibilities of her new role.”

Mannick is hopeful a change in strategy will help jump-start the team’s offensive attack.

“I’m going to change the formation up a little bit,” he said. “I’m really trying to get them into a scoring mindset because they have a lot of possession skill but that kind of skill, without leading into scoring, doesn’t really help you much when it counts.”

Due to the new formation, senior Hannah Kowalski is expected to be moved from the midfield to the forward position.

Mannick believes Kowalski, who scored 17 goals last season, may thrive even more in her new role.

“I think she has a real potential to score,” he said. “Scoring has been a major issue for this team, especially in big games, and we’re trying to change that. We’re hoping Hannah can take off.”

Senior Carina Salerno is expected to move from forward to outside midfield, senior Kelly Seechock will likely serve as the central forward and senior Emily Mahoney should see time at midfield and forward. Senior Lauren Simakaski also returns with experience at forward.

Junior Leia Parry, sophomore Anna Marchetta and freshman Maddie Lucas will likely be in the midfield rotation.

“We’re going to have to sub in the midfield a lot,” Mannick said. “There is a lot of running because we ask them to not only get up on offense, but also get back and play defense with intensity.”

Sophomore Morghan Stiles and freshman Riley Mulherin will be in the mix at forward.

Sophomores Jenna Patel and Olivia Marchetta, along with freshmen Grace Phillips and Talya Grimaldi, should see action on defense.

“I feel really good about our depth,” Mannick said. “I really think we’re going to go 18-20 girls deep. Not only do I like to do that anyway, but with nine seniors, including eight who will probably start, we need to get kids ready for next year, too.”

Freshman Abbey Steenback, who played for Mannick on the co-ed junior high team last season, is expected to be the team’s starting goalkeeper.

Mannick expects Delaware Valley, Scranton Prep and Wallenpaupack to provide the toughest competition in Lackawanna League Division 2 play. He believes Crestwood, Coughlin and Dallas, along with Wallenpaupack, will be the top threats at the district level.

Senior members of the Abington Heights girls soccer team are, from left, Emily Mahoney, Emily Clauss, Paige Morgan, Lauren Simakaski, Meghan Noone, Abby Brown, Hannah Kowalski, Kelly Seechock and Carina Salerno.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_ABJ-AH-GSoccer.jpg.optimal.jpgSenior members of the Abington Heights girls soccer team are, from left, Emily Mahoney, Emily Clauss, Paige Morgan, Lauren Simakaski, Meghan Noone, Abby Brown, Hannah Kowalski, Kelly Seechock and Carina Salerno. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.