NTL GIRLS SOCCER: ATHENS' PITTS LOOKING FOR LADY WILDCATS TO REGAIN CHAMPIONSHIP SWAGGER IN 2022 (9 PHOTOS) (2022-09-01)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Coming off a 9-9 season, Athens girls soccer coach is hoping the Lady Wildcats can regain their championship swagger in 2022.

“Last year, we lost a little bit of our fight. We use to walk into places, and the expectation was that we were going to win, but I think we lost a bit of that,” said Pitts.

We’ve been working hard to get that back. We need to be feistier and desire it a little more,” noted Pitts. “The girls get it. We showed up really well at our scrimmage, it was more like what I was use to.

“We need to get our swagger back, and I think we’re starting to get it back with this group,” Pitts added.

Pitts likes what he’s seen in the preseason.

“I think we’re more athletic than we were last year, and I have more kids who played in the offseason, whether it was club, scrimmages, or camps.

“I think the culture we’ve built here over my seven years is huge,” he said. “I think we’re finally there, with the expectation every single day of how we show up.”

Pitts has also been impressed by an influx of freshman — Sayre’s Kaitlyn Sutton, Aubri Husted, Penelope Grubb, Elizabeth Denlinger, Mary Elliott, Ava Hughs, and Savannah Finen.

“Early on, they’ve looked really good,” he said. “The athleticism is exciting, now it’s can they be more technical, can they be more tactical, can they understand the game?

I don’t have any worry about them fitting in, they’ve been great,” he noted. “They’ve forced their way in the door, and I love that about them.

“They really show some leadership ability already, which I love,” Pitts added. “I think that group is another foundation for the future. I’m pretty excited about them.”

There are a couple of question marks for Pitts. Most notably at keeper, but it’s not for lack of options, with seniors Karlee Bartlow and Abby Champion, and junior Carmelita Pomaquiza vying for time.

“Goal keeper is still a work in progress. We have three girls who are capable,” said Pitts.

“Karlee Bartlow came on strong last year, and Abby Champion is still working her way back from injury,” he noted. “Carmelita (Pomaquiza) has been working hard, and is super athletic.

“I don’t think anyone has nailed down that position. It’s going to be a weekly thing until someone totally takes the reigns and solids themselves,” added Pitts. “Obviously with three of them, who are all pretty quality, we’re in good shape there.”

Pitts said the defensive back four “is pretty settled” with Sayre sophomore and newcomer Meghan Flynn and senior Taegan Williams at center-backs, and junior Mya Thompson and sophomore Lizzy Shaw at outside backs.

Sophomores Grace Galloway, ad Savannah Persun, and senior Mea Abbott could also see some time in the back.

Pitts said the Athens alignment will feature two defensive midfielders with juniors Abbie Panek and Sayre junior Emma Yohe manning those two spots.

Sophomore Addy Wheeler will start at center-mid.

“Addy is Addy — a very good player … (but) she’s going to get pushed to be a little bit more of a leader, she’s going to need to find her voice,” said Pitts.

Playing with more of an offensive mindset on the outside will be Sayre freshman Kate Sutton, and junior Kendra Merrill.

“Sutton is very athletic, very talented with the ball, and very confident in her ability,” said Pitts. “We probably haven’t seen that confidence in a freshman since Emma Roe, Hannah Blackman, or Abby Sindoni … she came in and just took her spot very quietly.

“And Kendra is a quality player, and a quality kid,” added Pitts.

Senior Ally Thoman will start at the forward spot.

“Ally has worked really, really hard on her game in the last year,” said Pitts. “Ally’s biggest thing was she liked to go east-and-west, and I wanted her to be north-and-south.

“I always envisioned her with an Emma Roe mentality, where she gets on her front foot, and puts pressure on the back line,” noted Pitts. “And, she did it (in our scrimmage) … she was super-dangerous up top. She didn’t try to be fancy, she just went.

“I’m really excited about Ally has done to prepare for this season, and what she’s done in the last three weeks,” he added. “I think she’s going to create fits for people, and have a great senior year.”

AROUND THE NTL
“Troy is the champ until someone knocks them off. (Coach) Wayne (Pratt’s) teams play full out as hard as they can play, and what happens, happens,” said Pitts. “To be honest, I think Troy is the team to beat, but I think the other teams have elevated their play.

“I think Williamson is going to be tough … I saw them all winter. (Coach) Jason (Hungerford) has lifted that program to a higher level.

“Wyalusing is strong in the middle, and create a defensive nightmare,” noted Pitts. “When you play them on their ‘postage stamp’ it’s way better for them, but we get them at home this year, but they beat us here last year.

“I think Towanda is going to be good. They have some talent,” he continued. “Northeast Bradford is loaded with seniors.

“I think the NTL is going to be tougher than it has in the years I’ve been here,” added Pitts. “I don’t think there will be an easy game.”

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PHOTOS FROM Athens-Chenango Valley scrimmage. … PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES.