For Grace Balsamo and her Palisades teammates, success on the soccer field has been measured by the team’s unity and chemistry.
As of Tuesday, the Pirates had an 9-3 record and were the fourth seed in the District 11 Class A bracket.
“The team has put true emphasis on what it means to work as one, both on and off the field,” said Balsamo. “I am hopeful we can continue the path we have paved so far and believe we will prove to be good competition in league and district games.
“I am confident in the team due to our ability to move the ball, our communication, and the individual talent.”
Fourth-year head coach Tim Houghton also has liked what he has seen.
“This may be the best group I have had here,” said Houghton, who also had a stop at Saucon Valley. “We have a true team of soccer players that play attacking soccer. We have been very aggressive offensively, and we have a very good back line.”
Houghton has looked to Balsamo and fellow seniors Kaitlyn Carson, Brynn Chilton, Abby Mount, Holly Pason and Amelia Smith for their experience and leadership. Balsamo led the team last season with 20 goals, and she had four goals through their first 11 games.
“Grace Balsamo is the team’s captain and the guiding light,” emphasized Houghton. “All the seniors are great, and they have been all four years. They deserve a successful year.
“Midfielders Brynn Chilton and Amelia Smith are the heartbeat. They bring endless energy and are cultured seniors. They set a great example of what hard work means on and off the field. Kaitlyn Carson is a very strong player. Holly Pason does a great job as a midfielder or striker.”
Freshman Felicity Houghton – the coach’s daughter – has been leading the team in scoring throughout the year, and she is an integral part of the group of nine freshman, who have impacted the team this fall. Houghton had seven goals through the first 11 games.
Houghton, along with Gabrielle Brader, Dakota Wizeman and Aniela Brewer have been in the regular rotation all season.
“Gabrielle Brader and Dakota Wizeman are probably the two players that have impressed me the most this season because I just didn’t know how good they can be. And the answer is very good,” Coach Houghton said.
“All of them (freshmen) have adjusted well, and they all put a lot of work in during the offseason. They were ready to step into the lineup.”
Houghton also noted the play of juniors Jenna Magditch and Izzy Schmidt and sophomore Isabella Carson, all of whom have been steady contributors. Schmidt had four games through the first 11 games.
Junior Aubrey Boushell is a three-year starter in the nets. In the first six league games, Boushell allowed just two goals and had 23 saves.
“Aubrey is a great softball player, and she has really worked on her soccer game,” stressed Houghton. “She doesn’t make many mistakes out there. Her game has really developed.”
One of the team’s major goals was to improve on last year’s 9-8-1 regular season record. The Pirates defeated Schuylkill Haven 5-1 in the district opener before they lost to Pine Grove 1-0 last year. They finished with an overall 10-9-1 mark.
It’s likely safe to assume the Pirates can better that mark.
“We didn’t know what to expect with a young team,” added Houghton. “Our younger players have really stepped up their game, and we have a good chemistry. We are confident we can continue to grow as a team.”
The Pirates next take the field Thursday in an away game at Moravian Academy.
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