Mount soccer in Hill’s hands
by TOM UTESCHER
Chris Hill, a Glenside resident who has coached club and scholastic soccer for many years at various levels, has been chosen to pilot the program at Mount St. Joseph Academy. His longtime involvement with Glenside’s Hunter Soccer Club began when his own children first began to play on youth teams.
Hill, 47, learned the game in a part of central New Jersey well known for strong high school and club soccer, and he played for the Ranney School in Tinton Falls. He’s been coaching Hunter’s Under-15 boys team for the past five years and recently began to work with the U-18’s, as well. In 2004 he was co-coach of the junior varsity squad at La Salle High School, and last spring he headed the JV girls program at Abington High.
The 2005 squad at the Mount will have a new look on the field as well as on the sideline; ten of last year’s varsity players have graduated, and seven of them played starting roles. Two of the returning starters are the Mount’s senior co-captains this fall, midfielder Mary Fannon and goalkeeper Rebecca Naab. The other two are junior Becky Borrell and sophomore Genevieve Dusing, but while Borrell is back in action at forward, Dusing, a defender, has been troubled by a back injury in the pre-season.
Fortunately, there are four other varsity veterans from the Mount’s 2004 squad, which posted a record of 4-12-1 overall and 2-10 in the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies. They are seniors Julie Bateman and Christy Dunn, and juniors Aubrey Barrett and Molly O’Connor, and all are listed as forwards this season, although only O’Connor consistently played that position last year.
One factor that enabled Hill to concentrate these varsity vets on offense is the addition of three talented freshmen who are all in the running for starting spots. Elle Hagedorn is a sweeper out of Ambler Catholic, and midfielders Megan Rothwell and Mara Yanni hail from the Council Rock school district and from Norwood Fontbonne Academy, respectively.
More varsity talent has risen from the JV program, which will be coached by John McGlade, now in his third year at Mount St. Joe’s. Defenders Julia Cross and Brianna Nelmes, middies Jessica Cades and Jacklyn Stark, and forward Michele Toennies are all seniors, while Bess Flashner is a junior who brings imposing size to the defense and will also be Naab’s understudy in goal.
In addition, there are five sophomores stepping up; forward Laura Johnson, midfielders Lindsay Breznicky, Sean Conroy and Kellie McWilliams, and defender Kelly Mannes.
The team still practices on the corner field at Stenton and Wissahickon Aves., but all home soccer (and field hockey) games will be played on the infield grass of the Mount’s new all-weather track, which opened for business last spring.
The MSJ booters christened their new pitch last Friday with a scrimmage against Octarara High School. Naab made four saves in net as the Magic outscored their guests 3-0, getting two goals from Johnson (both assisted by Yanni), and one from Rothwell.
