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IAC GIRLS SOCCER: WAVERLY'S HOGAN BELIEVES DEPTH KEY FOR LADY WOLVERINES IN 2022 (5 PHOTOS) (2022-09-01)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
WAVERLY — Waverly girls soccer coach Tara Hogan has a list of things she likes about her team this season, but believes depth may be the biggest key to success for the Lady Wolverines in 2022.

“I’d say our biggest strength, one I haven’t had in a few years, is depth,” said Hogan. “We have a lot of speed, experience and versatility, but the biggest thing this year is the depth.

“Monday was a very telling day,” she noted. “We had five scrimmages … we got to see everybody. I saw that we have girls coming off the bench that we can rely on, and who are ready to go.

“Another huge strength is experience,” continued Hogan. “We have seven or eight girls who play on club teams, and there is a noticeable difference between the girls who play year-round, and the girls who haven’t touched a ball since last fall.

“And, we also have six girls who can play anywhere on the field — all three lines,” she added. “It’s exciting.”

Hogan is also excited by the addition of a quartet of 8th-graders — Lauren Gorsline, Ryleigh Judson, Sierra Lunsford, and Mackenzie Olmsted.

“Having those four new girls, and they’re not just any four new girls — they’re club girls with a lot of experience — is a big bonus,” said Hogan. “They play together, and they’re use to each other.

“They’ve probably played against teams at Regionals that are better than some of the teams we’ll play in the IAC.

“They’ve created a depth, I’m not use to having,” added Hogan.

All of this has created lofty expectations for Hogan.

“It may sound cocky, but if we end the season with what we have now, and build off it, I’ve told the parents not to make any college visit plans for Oct. 15, which is the date of the IAC Championship game,” she said.

“Looking back at last season, and going up against Chenango Valley (ranked second in the State) in the playoffs … talk about a team that has depth — they all play together in the offseason, and we got blown out of the water.

“Hopefully, we have a better (record) this season so we don’t see them right away, because they didn’t lose much and I expect them to be the team to beat again this year.

“As for Sectionals, if there’s a year to do it, it’s this year,” added Hogan. “We lose Kennedy (Westbrook), Kelsey (Ward) and Alyvia (Dadonna) to graduation, and I’ve heard Lauren Gorsline is moving after the season … this has gotta be the year to do it.”

Sophomore Lea Cole returns in net for the Lady Wolverines this season, with freshman Claire Clonch acting as her back-up.

Clonch will start at left-back, with junior Paige Robinson, switching from stopper, to replace Bella Romano.

“Paige has big shoes to fill, taking Bella Romano’s spot, but she has really impressed me this preseason,” said Hogan.

Junior Olivia Robinson is the leading candidate to start at right-back, but Lunsford and freshman Madison Cron, who could see time in the midfield, could also see time there.

“Robinson reads the ball really well, and is always in position,” said Hogan.

Senior Kennedy Westbrook will be stopper, with Gorsline and Olmsted candidates to see time there as well.

“What can I not say about Kennedy,” said Hogan. “She is insanely fast, and she’s intrinsically motivated. She just wants to do well, and is an insanely hard worker.

“My big battle with Kennedy is reeling her in because she wants to be everywhere,” she added.

Senior Alyvia Dadonna and junior Abby Blauvelt will start in the midfield, with Olmsted, Gorsline, Kennedy Westbrook, and Judson, who could also play up front or in the defensive end, also seeing time there as well.

Junior Lea VanAllen, sophomores Addyson Westbrook and Kiley Stillman, and senior Kelsey Ward will see the brunt of the time at forward.

“We have a lot of speed up top.

“It seems like a switch turned for Lea (VanAllen) in the offseason,” said Hogan. “She’s taking powerhouse shots that I haven’t seen from her in years past. I’m seeing a new confidence in her that I’m really excited about.”

Sophomore Bella Gonzalez is vying for time at back-up keeper or defender, while junior Faith Blauvelt
and sophomore Aimee Fehrenbach, who is coming off foot surgery, will likely see time in the midfield or at forward, and freshman Haley Larrabee will vie for time in the midfield and on defense.

If Hogan has one concern about this team, it’s a repeat of last year’s string of injuries.

The Lady Wolverines actually suffered a major loss in the offseason when junior Caprice Haney suffered a major knee injury and is out for the season.

“With the way we ended last year, with losing four girls to injuries and sickness in the last couple weeks of the season, staying healthy is a concern.

“We went into the postseason with two subs, it was a little daunting,” said Hogan. “I’m hoping our injuries and sickness stay at a minimum.”

AROUND THE IAC
“I don’t much know about Notre Dame this year, but I do know Leila Vargas is at Horseheads this year, and she was (Notre Dame’s) major player last year,” said Hogan. “I’ve heard they have a few girls from Brazil moving into the district.

“It will be a different game without Vargas, but I never under estimate them,” she added. “Notre Dame always brings out the best in us.”

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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly’s Alyvia Dadonna — photos from six-team scrimmage at Waverly Monday. … PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

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