Coming off a season in which the girl’s soccer team advanced to the third round of the Central, Group 1 Tournament, the Pirates are aiming high in 2015.
Cinnaminson won first and second round playoff games last year over Florence and Palmyra by scores of 7-0 and 3-2, respectively. The Pirates fell to Shore, the eventual sectional champion, 2-1 in the third round.
Sixth-year head coach Matt Digney is excited to see what 2015 brings.
“This year we are back in South, Group 2. We played hard last year. We rotated girls in and out quickly with trying to get a lot of young girls experience, while also playing veterans. We graduated five seniors last year so hopefully we can fill the spots.”
Despite having seven seniors on this year’s team, Digney said that the frosh/soph combination makes up about 75 percent of the program.
Digney has been working on the team’s chemistry during the pre-season.
“I’ve been trying to get us to have better chemistry as far as working better together on the field, but we really didn’t come together all the time. This year, I think we are doing a much better job as a team. We are attacking as a team and defending as a team. Even off the field, the girls are a tighter knit group and I think that pays dividends on the field.”
The athleticism of the girl’s soccer team will be a major advantage in 2015 for the Pirates.
“I think we are a very, very athletic team. Offensively, I think some teams are going to have trouble keeping up with us. We have some great skill players, some great speed players and some great strength players. If we can mix all of that it, we should be pretty darn good offensively.”
The captains for the 2015 season are Anna Saginario, Amanda McHugh (2nd year), Marisa DiLeo and Sophia Volpe. McHugh also served as a captain in her junior season. DiLeo is the Pirates goalie.
“The chemistry part I mentioned is a big part of what our captains do. They don’t just tell people what to do. They lead by example. They are like coaches on the field. They get the girls doing the right thing. They help organize the start of practice and we don’t miss a beat.”
As the pre-season dwindles, Digney has begun putting in set pieces, systems of play and has been hitting on the finer points of the game.
“The girls know they need to be ready each day for the entire day, not just half the day or half the game. If we can get in there and play our best, I think we should have a good day. We just have to stay consistent.”
The girl’s soccer team opens the 2015 season on Thursday, September 10 at 4pm with a home game against Northern Burlington Regional.
