Ellie Petruzzi, Geli Dent, and Liv Ross have been playing soccer since they were three years old, and now, as freshmen on the varsity team, they are surprising everyone with their skills. With twelve years of soccer experience each, they were ready to take on the next level. As the season unfolds, these three athletes are prepared to change the game for the Lady Wildcats in the years ahead.
While the girls met at school, their bond and friendship became close when they started playing on the same soccer team. The first team they played for together was their travel team Beadling, located in Pittsburgh. After Beadling, they got to play together in junior high. Now, in their freshman year they continue to play together but this time as varsity players.
Center back Ellie Petruzzi found her passion for soccer watching her older sister play, and being coached by her dad. “My older sister, Maddy, played when I was younger, and she still does. My dad was also my coach for nine years, being able to play with them made it fun and it still is.” This year, Ellie and Maddy reunite on the same team and even play together on the field. “It is amazing to get to play with my sister this year, she is two years older than me, and being able to play with her is so much fun. I wish we had more time on the same team, but I am happy we got one last one,” said Ellie.
Geli Dent plays attacking midfield for the Wildcats and has played travel soccer for seven years. Her current travel team, the Riverhounds, also located in Pittsburgh is where she has played for six years, and she played one year at Beadling. Geli said she was encouraged to try new things when she was younger and soccer was the one thing she never got bored of, “Soccer just stuck with me, it was so much fun to play and the girls I play with are amazing,” says Geli.
The wing for the Wildcats is Liv Ross. She has played travel soccer for six years. She played four years at Riverhounds and two years for Beadling. Geli and Liv both have played for Riverhounds but they were never on the same team until Beadling, with Ellie. Liv loves playing soccer, but when she started playing travel she loved it even more, “I have always played soccer growing up but once I started playing travel it gets to be so much more fun. Your team becomes your second family,” says Liv.
Although they have played soccer for many years, transitioning to high school soccer can be intimidating. Coach Campbell says, “Coming into high school is always a challenge for freshmen, even with these girls being such standouts in junior high as well as their club teams; however, when you step into high school this is the first time you are ever playing against players three years your senior.” However, these girls have been playing their hardest to be competitive against the older girls they are playing. “It’s a big role for them to step into and ask of these young players, however, I think they are doing a fantastic job, and feeling out the rhythm with their experiences. There is nothing you can trade out with experience,” said Campbell.
Liv also agreed playing on varsity is a big transition from what she is used to. “I would say the biggest challenge would be increasing my level of play. Varsity is a much higher level than what I was used to and I just had to get used to it,” said Liv.
Ellie, Liv, and Geli have been working hard at practice to earn their starting spot on the team. “The freshmen have a lot of grit. Every one of them comes to practice each day, constantly working to improve, and I love that. With low numbers we need them, so their effort is awesome,” says senior Captain, Maddy Petruzzi.
The captains and teammates have also been very welcoming and encouraging to them, “I think their teammates have been pulling them in and helping them find those transitions to make it easier for them. Especially if they are unsure of something, but their teammates are encouraging their movement and touches on the ball, it helps them feel more confident,” said Campbell, “Every game I see them having more success and gaining more confidence. Because success is such a huge confidence builder, we continue to see new aspects of their game that are only going to help us as we continue going even further.”
In the game on Wednesday September 18, against Hempfield, the team came out with a 9-0 win. Along with their teammates, these three played outstandingly. Coach Campbell said, “Liv Ross had a fantastic game tonight, and she really found her own.” Liv, scoring two goals Wednesday night, is the success the team will need in the years to come. “Geli had a lot of great play, I know she had a few moments in front of the net that I know she wished she would have put in, but those are the moments when we get the chances, the finishing touches will come.” With the help of Ellie and the defense, the Wildcats caused a shutout to the opposing team on their home field for the second week in a row.
“I am really proud of what they are doing,” added Coach Campbell. Soccer is more than just the sport they play, it is how their friendship and bond began. They are the ‘Rising Stars’ the team will need in the years to come.
