Shady Side Academy girls soccer preparing for WPIAL title defense

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, September 3, 2017 | 11:00 PM

The Shady Side Academy girls soccer team won the WPIAL Class A title and finished second in the state last year. Leah Powers will be coaching the team this season, and she's confident this will be another successful season.

“I've been working with the program as an assistant coach for eight years now, so I'm familiar with the team,” she said. “I am not setting out to make big changes. However, that will be dictated by the talent of my individual players and our competition this season.”

The Indians were hit hard by graduation as they lost eight seniors. Returning starters are seniors Hannah Steffey and Julie Staley and juniors Gabby White, Krystyna Rytel and Sophia McMahon.

They will be joined by returning letterwinners Maya Weiss, Callie Davis, Nina Singh, Trinity Murphy, Cathy Chen, Chloris Shuyue and Addie Todd. Weiss and Murphy are the keepers.

Powers also is expecting contributions from new players.

“We have seven new players that we are very excited about,” she said. “So far, they have worked very hard during the preseason, and I am certain they will all contribute to a successful season.”

There are 18 players on the roster, and Powers said she believes the team's depth will be important.

“I expect this to be a very strong team, and I am looking forward to a successful season,” Powers said. “We will have a tough section battle. Greensburg Central Catholic will again be strong, but we go into every game of our season expecting to be challenged.”

Marty Stewart is a freelance writer.

Tags: Shady Side Academy