Local Sports

Springside hockey off to encouraging start

Springside field hockey captains Jane Gray (left) and Emery Maine. (Photo by Tom Utescher)

by TOM UTESCHER

During the short post-Labor Day week Springside School’s field hockey squad managed to squeeze in a three-game homestand, capping the string with a 1-0 win over Lower Merion on Saturday to go 2-0-1 during the first full week of September.

The Lions hosted Jenkintown High School on Monday, dropping the Drakes 2-1 as forward Delia Langan scored one goal and set up the other. One of eight seasoned seniors who were members of the 2004 varsity, Langan assisted classmate Sofia Zmurkewycz on the Lion’s first marker, then scored herself off of a feed from another upperclassman, Rachel Estepa.

Bible thumps Chestnut Hill volleyball

by TOM UTESCHER

After following the wrong set of driving directions, the volleyball squad from Philadelphia Biblical University (formerly Phila. College of Bible) arrived late at Chestnut Hill College last Thursday evening, but once the match finally got underway the visitors got right down to business against the host Griffins, winning 30-13, 30-14, 30-11.

The CHC spikers, seeking stability under their third head coach in as many years, slipped to an 0-3 mark on the season, while the powerful Crimson Eagles ran their record to 4-0.

The Griffins’ new mentor, Jessica Coyne, was originally hired as an assistant coach at the college, but moved up to the top spot when the former head coach suddenly resigned. She played briefly at Chestnut Hill herself before transferring to Lehigh University, and for the past three years she coached the volleyball team at Little Flower Catholic High School For Girls. Her assistant coach, Tanisha Staggs, played volleyball and basketball at Virginia Union University.

The young CHC squad, which has no seniors on its roster, ran up against a PBU club led by 6’2” middle hitter Sarah Wenger and outside hitters Heather Lowe (5’10”) and Erika Samuelson (6’0”).

Springside soccer a seasoned squad

New Springside head coach Gary Stevenson with his team captains (left to right), Maeve Koch, Kira Theuer, and Rachel deBerardinis (Photo by Tom Utescher)

by TOM UTESCHER

With only three players taken by graduation from last year’s roster, Springside’s soccer Lions are sending an experienced crew onto the pitch for the 2005 campaign. The locals have a new head coach in Gary Stevenson, a native of Newcastle, England who now resides in West Mt. Airy. Stevenson has extensive experience coaching both boys and girls club teams, and last fall he mentored the boys JV squad at Upper Dublin High School.

On the field, the Lions will be led by their tri-captains, forward Rachel DeBerardinis and defender Maeve Koch, both seniors, and junior defender Kira Theuer. Senior Marilyn McCullough is an established scorer, and classmates Whitney Manly-Power and Sarah Stapleton look to provide other offensive options for the Lions while fellow upperclassmen E.B. O’Hara and Gia Palermo lend depth to the midfield.