Eagles look for new leaders with no seniors
As she enters her fourth season at the helm of the Serra Catholic girls soccer team, head coach Tori Fedora is focused on establishing a solid foundation of excellence for her alma mater.
Coming off a challenging season with a 4-8-1 record (3-8-1 in section play), the Eagles are off to an 0-1 start after a season-opening loss to section foe Bishop Canevin.
The Eagles are eager to improve and capitalize on lessons learned. With a new wave of opponents on the horizon, Fedora and her team are gearing up for the season.
“It’s really helpful that we’ve moved sections,” she said. “Last year, we were in a section with three or four of the best teams in Class 1A, and this year I think that the teams in our section now are much more similar to us in terms of size and skill level. I’m confident we’ll be able to keep our momentum game in and game out.”
Last season, the Eagles competed against tough teams like Riverview, GCC, Springdale and Jeannette. This year, the landscape shifts as they are set to compete in a new section with Bishop Canevin, Carlynton, South Allegheny, Aquinas and Sewickley academies and Seton LaSalle. The change in competition will present new challenges but also creates numerous opportunities to grow, as the team looks to compete with the best of them.
“It’s a transition year, for sure,” Fedora said. “We have a lot of girls on this team that are either new to the sport or have been away from it for a while, so it’s definitely going to be a game-by-game basis as we build a foundation for these girls going forward while also staying competitive along the way.”
Despite the challenges of less-experienced players, Fedora is optimistic about the team’s potential to come together and compete.
Her view on the changing dynamics becomes relevant when considering the void left by key players, such as Lydia Reith, last year’s captain and the team’s leading goal scorer.
“Lydia was a great player, and it’s going to be tough to fill her shoes,” Fedora said. “We have no seniors this year, but we have quite a few juniors, and they’re ready to step into that leadership role. We’ll look to Abby Opferman to anchor our defense, and players like Lexie Genes, Charlotte Childs, Kelly Morrissey and all of the returning juniors who have been there before.”
Fedora and her staff are fine-tuning their strategies. Central to the approach is a focus on possession and control, emphasizing the importance of a cohesive game plan among her players and staff.
“Honestly, we’re still determining our formation and how we’re going to look as a unit on the field,” Fedora said. “We emphasize playing a possession game, so we’d like to pass and control the ball as much as possible. It starts with winning the back defensively and playing through our midfield. Doing that effectively will always put us in a position to win.”
The focus on a possession-based game is a common mindset. It underlines the team’s commitment to working in unison and winning collectively. Building on the theme of unity, Fedora extends an invitation to the community, underscoring how fan support can significantly uplift team morale and enhance their performance.
“We really would love to see more people come out to our games and support the girls,” she said. “I know soccer isn’t the most popular sport here at Serra Catholic, but it really is a great game, and we would appreciate any support we could get.”
