When the Pittsford Mendon girls soccer team last left the field, they were humbled following a loss in the Section 5 semifinals. They had just lost their opportunity to compete for the their second title in three years.
A couple of weeks ago the Vikings came back together for the new season. No one was dwelling on last season. This team was ready to move on, and take a run at another Sectional championship.
Mendon returns a wealth of talent off last year’s team and should be in the mix for another Sectional title. The Vikings open the season at 4:30 p.m. against Greece Odyssey in the Hilton Tournament.
“I think we have progressed from last year,” said Eric Pritchard, Mendon head coach. “The players have been working hard in the offseason and now it is starting to show in the preseason.”
The Vikings rode the momentum of a Class A finals appearance in 2008 to a 13-4 mark. Mendon’s luck ran out in the postseason as a string of injury and illness caught up with them as they lost to Greece Arcadia.
The Vikings defense played a key role in their success last season. Mendon was among the best teams in Section 5 defensively last fall as they recorded 11 shutouts.
“The skill level of the team is higher this year,” Pritchard said. “I think that everyone worked hard getting back in shape. We are more controlled than we were last year, and I think we could be even better this year.”
Leading scorer Jane Thomas is gone, but plenty of offensive standouts are back. Midfielder Sydney Ciufo (six goals last season) and Alyssa Iacona (four goals) will lead the offense.
Veteran Sarah Hansen returns to lead the defense, and will receive plenty of support from Anna Eschler and Rachel Stummer.
The Vikings most valuable defensive player might be goalkeeper Kim Forgue. Forgue allowed only nine goals and finished with a save percentage of over 93.
“With so many returning players, it helps keep things more organized,” Pritchard said. “Our offseason was so successful because we had so many senior leaders who took over and drove the team to where we needed to be.”
Mendon is hoping to earn a rematch with the Titans, this time in the Class A finals. Arcadia will be a tough out, losing only a few players off last year’s state finalist team.
The Vikings will have a challenging season in Monroe County Division III before the postseason.
Pittsford Sutherland returns 18 players from last year’s team. Brighton could also be in the mix returning eight key players from last year.
