Seton LaSalle girls riding high after 7 straight victories

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 29, 2017 | 1:00 PM

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Seton LaSalle's girls soccer team started the season with back-to-back losses.

The Rebels quickly turned things around, however, reeling off seven consecutive victories in impressive fashion. The Seton girls have outscored the opposition 37-2 during the winning streak; the last four wins have been shutouts.

“Our team was set to return 10 starters this year, so we were very excited,” coach Brooke Mangis said. “But before the season started, we lost two of our starting defenders, Vanessa and Victoria Hudson, who both tore their ACLs playing basketball. Both sisters were outside defenders.

“We started the season playing two of the top teams in the WPIAL, Thomas Jefferson in Class AAA and Bentworth in Class A, and we were still trying to figure out who would replace (the Hudson sisters). We are using a mix of younger players, and they had to learn quickly. But now, with more games under our belts, we are starting to settle in nicely.”

Seton LaSalle has been led by speedy senior Mofoluke Obiri, a third-year starter and fourth-year letter winner. Obiri, whose nickname is “Mo,” has 20 goals and five assists.

“Mo has tremendous speed. Her combination of speed and tenacity makes her a nightmare for opposing defenders,” Mangis said. “Her ability to finish has improved each year; (and) she doesn't just rely on her speed. She is good at holding off defenders and has gotten stronger, also.

“But what has also helped is the team has greatly improved since her sophomore year. That year, we relied on her for most of our goals. She is similar to former player Alexa DelGreco.”

Obiri, an All-WPIAL selection last season, is a third-year starter and fourth-year letter winner. Obiri has netted 63 career goals, including 44 (so far) in the past two seasons.

“We are blessed by the number of new players and returning players this season, each one playing a vital role,” Obiri said. “I was initially concerned when two of our top talents (from) last year couldn't return due to injuries, but we are now playing well together as a team, and should continue winning.

“I'm certainly hopeful that we'll win our section (and) WPIALs, and contend for the PIAA title.”

Obiri has been complemented offensively this season by junior Emma Hoffman, with nine goals and 10 assists. Hoffman is a transfer student from Upper St. Clair; she moved to the Pittsburgh area last year from Texas.

“Emma fits in great with our team,” Mangis said. “She brings a ton of experience. She controls the field very well, and is leading the team in assists. We are very happy to have her (on the team).”

The Rebels have been forced to experiment with different lineups this season. The process has proven daunting, as well as successful.

“We have not had one set starting lineup due to various injuries and a bad outbreak of a virus that sidelined half of the team,” Mangis said.

The forward position has been manned by Obiri, sophomore Marissa Shuckman and junior Liz Kittle; with Hoffman, juniors Sarah Farnan, Madison Eidemueller and Hannah Warner, and freshman Mikaela Small at the midfield area.

Juniors Vanessa Peretin and Julia O'Rourke, sophomore Jada Reddy, and freshman Ireland Killen have anchored the defense in front of senior goalkeeper Kaylee Russman, who along with Mofoluke and Peretin were all-section selections last year.

“We also have been using newcomers Hannah Lacek, Brennan Rosario, Karolyne Rodriguez and Emily Lupinacci,” Mangis said. “We have had to use everyone at some point or other.”

Other goal-scorers include Farnan (four goals, three assists), Kittle, Warner, O'Rourke, Eidemueller, Lacek and Small. Peretin and Schuckman have contributed seven assists between them.

Mofoluke, Russman and senior Victoria Hudson are serving as co-captains this season.

“Kaylee has been so solid in net the last three years, and doesn't get the credit she deserves,” Mangis said. “She is so athletic, and has made some tremendous saves in tough games. She has also been a great leader for our team this year.”

Seton LaSalle closed out the first half of section play Monday with a key 2-0 win at home against rival Bishop Canevin. The Rebels improved to 7-2 overall.

Bentworth leads the Section 2-A standing with a 5-0-1 record, followed by Seton LaSalle (5-1), Bishop Canevin (4-1-1) and Beth-Center (2-3-1).

“If we can stay healthy and stay focused,” Mangis said, “I think we can have a very successful year.”

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that Vanessa Hudson was an all-section selection last year.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.