The Johnston girls’ soccer team took a step forward in every way but one last year. The Panthers put in an off-season training program, they forged great team chemistry, they played a good brand of soccer and they brought an enthusiasm to the field that the program hadn’t seen in a while. But stuck in Division II, where they never fit in, they went winless for a second consecutive year.
As the 2014 season gets underway, the Panthers are back where they feel they belong, in Division III, and they’re hoping all the good steps finally add up to a big leap.
“We had a really dedicated team last year and we’ve continued on that path,” said head coach Tim Sprouls. “A lot of the credit for that goes to last year’s captains. This year’s group has picked up the ball and run with it. As far as school population and numbers, we’re in the right place now, so we’re encouraged.”
Johnston won seven games in 2011, the last time it was in Division III. The team had been consistently competitive before that, as well, but never a perennial powerhouse, so the move to Division II came as a shock. Sprouls was not surprised when his team struggled. Johnston went 0-14 in 2012.
Last year, Johnston was competitive in a lot more games and finished 0-11-3, a product of the positive steps. Though the Panthers didn’t pick up a win, they did start laying a foundation. Another good off-season built on it further, and the Panthers are ready to bring it to the field now.
“The girls enhanced their understanding of the tactics of the game and continued to come together,” Sprouls said. “We’re expecting a good season. It’s going to be about more than just being competitive.”
Johnston lost captains Rachelle Boehm and Catherine Bruno to graduation but they bring back nearly everybody else. They have a good group of seniors and a young nucleus that’s improving by the day.
“We have a good blend of experience and young talent,” Sprouls said.
Seniors Christina Hardman, Zoe Griffin, Leah Gravel and Lauren Tedesco are taking over as captains and setting the same tone as last year’s group.
“They’re very good leaders,” Sprouls said. “They did a nice job organizing things in the off-season.”
The four captains will lead the way for the starting 11. The rest of the spots will be filled in by a deep junior class that includes many players who were starters as sophomores. Among the top players in that group are triplets Danielle, Renee and Natalie DeAngelis.
“They got a lot of time last year and I think they’re going to have very good years,” Sprouls said. “They have good speed.”
Plenty of other juniors will be in the mix as well. Most have experience and all have versatility.
“They’re all pretty interchangeable, which is nice,” Sprouls said.
Junior Amber Dion returns as the starting goalie after a solid campaign in net last year.
With all of the experience, Sprouls is hoping his team can pick up where it left off in terms of the way it was playing last year. If that happens, the level playing field of D-III should allow for success.
“The girls definitely have good skill,” Sprouls said. “What I really want them to understand is how to play as a unit. They’re getting there.”
Johnston showed some positive signs when it scrimmaged Toll Gate, a former Division I team now in Division II. When varsity lineups were squaring off, Toll Gate out-scored Johnston just 3-2.
“I think they’re ready,” Sprouls said.
Johnston will open the regular season next Wednesday with a 7 p.m. game at North Providence. The Panthers will be on the road a lot in the month of September while construction of the school’s athletic complex is completed. The team’s first home game is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 19.
Wherever they play, the Panthers can’t wait.
“Home or away, we expect to do well,” Sprouls said.
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