Article about Lancaster Inferno... my name was actually mentioned. yah!
Article OR
http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/238914
This article probably won't always be available on the web so I copy & pasted it here too.
[One more year of experience has helped turn a local semipro soccer team into a force to be reckoned with. The Lancaster Inferno is 3-1 in its second season as a member of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Nearly half of the team's roster of college or former college players are Lancaster-Lebanon League products.
The league has a new twist this season, with the start-up of Women's Professional Soccer. Players can now work toward advancing their careers in the future with the higher league.
"There will be a professional team in Philadelphia, named the Independence, starting next season. Girls can now aspire to a different level," said Doug Harris, second-year head coach for the Inferno.
The WPSL currently has 50 teams playing in five divisions across the country. The Inferno is one of 14 teams in the East region. Teams play a 10-game schedule against other teams in their region. The top eight teams move on to the playoffs, with games held at the higher seeded team's home field. The winners of each region then move on to the national tournament, which will be held the end of July on Long Island.
Games are 90 minutes, with two 45-minute halves. There is no overtime during the regular season. All rules and substitutions are the same as in Division I soccer.
The Inferno did not start easy this season, opening at home against the Boston Aztecs before heading on the road to play two games in two days against teams that faced off for the East title last season, the New England Mutiny and the SoccerPlus Connecticut Reds. The Aztecs are the reserve team for the Boston Breakers in the WPSL, with five players under pro contracts. The Inferno lost 3-1 in a game closer than the score.
"It was difficult to open against such a tough team as we had little practice time together," said former Penn Manor and University of Pittsburgh standout Carli Brill. "We got it together by the second half in that game and have played great since that point."
Since then, the Inferno has won three straight games, including 3-0 and 3-2 road victories over New England and Connecticut teams that combined to go 19-1 last season. They did this despite arriving only an hour before the first game and playing twice in a span of 24 hours.
"These were huge wins for us. It's a nice measure of the progress we have made as a team," said Harris. "The loss by Connecticut was their first ever at home. Our legs were tired for that game but we still picked up our level of play and won."
Harris said he is very optimistic about this season.
"If we can stay injury free and catch a few breaks, we can make the playoffs. We can then win the conference and head on to the national event."
One of the local girls on the team, Leah Sipe (Ephrata, Messiah), is extremely excited about the season. Sipe, who joined the team for one game in the playoffs in last year's 7-3-1 season, is one of the new players to the Inferno this season. She stars at center midfield in Harris' 4-5-1 formation.
"We have struggled to get all our players together in practice, but if we get everyone there, I don't think anyone can stop us," said Sipe. "I am pleased with the team as we play so well together."
The other star on the midfield for Harris is Teresa Rynier (Conestoga Valley, James Madison). Rynier, who was recently named the WPSL's Player of the Week, plays more of the attacking role in the center midfield, while Sipe sits back and defends.
"The two of them work together so well with a combination of defense and attacking together," said Harris.
Brill is one of the "old" players on the team. The 23-year old defender, in her second season, is playing for the team while working full-time. She and central back Kirsten Hoffsmith White (Manheim Central, St. Francis) are playing to keep their love of soccer alive.
"The two wins have helped us early in the season. The returning girls have gotten better. Our midfield is dominating this season and we have really gotten things together as a team," Brill said.
Other local players on the Inferno are: Forward Marina Pappas (Hempfield, Florida International), MF Arielle Gordon (Ephrata, Lock Haven), MF Katie Lamm (Elco, Eastern Mennonite), MF Kasie Shover (Penn Manor, Delaware), D Megan Fessler (Lancaster Catholic, James Madison), D Katie Hoffsmith (Manheim Central, Messiah), D Kendra Martin (Garden Spot, Eastern Mennonite), and goalkeepers Joy Shaiebly (LMH, Eastern Mennonite) and Caitlyn Hulyo (Lancaster Catholic, Colorado College).
Forward Amy Pickard (Lanc. Catholic, Delaware) is rehabbing a broken leg from her college season and is doubtful for the season, but is still on the roster.
The Inferno's next game is Saturday at the TSC Maryland Pride; it's next home game the following Saturday, June 27, at Hempfield High School. For more on the Inferno, check out wpsl.info.]
