While a record of 4-4 wasn’t an awful way to start the season, Bradford High girls soccer coach Dennis Morrisroe and his players were shooting for more.
Since that time, they have gone 8-0-1, securing their first District 10 Region 4 title (with a perfect record to boot) as well as the top seed in the District 9 Class AA playoffs.
The Lady Owls know the playoffs are a new season, but that there is also value in peaking at the right time.
“There’s certainly some truth to the fact that we’re 0-0 now, but there’s a great deal of value in the kind of confidence that comes with the last half of the season and that kind of hot streak,” Morrisroe said.
They draw a Punxsutawney team that, admittedly, is a bit unfamiliar, with the Lady Owls having played most of their schedule against District 10 competition.
“The weirdest thing about playing in District 10 is that you don’t play the teams you’re going to see in the playoffs,” Morrisroe said. “I have a great deal of coaching friends and put the word out once we found out who we were playing and was able to get a good bit of feedback.”
Bradford will lean on their experience against a solid Region 4 schedule that has helped prepare them.
Also, a large senior class that has been in this position before is sure to ease the pressure of playing in the postseason.
“The big advantage we have is that we’re so experienced and senior heavy,” Morrisroe said. “We have somebody with significant playoff experience at each position and they have been here before.”
During their recent nine-game stretch, Bradford has outscored its opponents by a 33-6 margin.
Leading the way in the goal scoring department are Courtney Shade and Arianna Brien, who have 11 and 10 goals, respectively, during that stretch.
Payton Llewellyn has come back strong from an early season injury in net, aided by an experienced group of defenders that includes Danielle Mackey, Kathleen Shay, Abbie Spittler, JoAnne Feely and Catherine Schuster.
Bri Pattison, Taylor Yohe, Audrey Brigger, Kaitlyn Shields, Ashlyn Morrisroe and Sabrina Vaccaro are among a group of midfielders that have also been playing at a high level.
Lindsey Leet and Dominque Peterson also do an excellent job of complimenting Shade and Brien on the offensive attack.
It’s a group that is excited, but also focused.
“This is a go to work kind of group,” Morrisroe said. “This group is excited, but they have the mindset of knowing what needs to get done.”
Start time is set for 5 p.m. today at Brockway.
