The girls soccer programs at North Hagerstown and Smithsburg are off to smoking hot starts on the pitch.
The Hubs and Leopards are playing hard-nosed defense and scoring goals in bunches. Most importantly, they’re winning. As we cross over the midway point of the Maryland soccer season, North and Smithsburg have 11 combined wins. They had 12 all of last fall.
On Saturday morning, Washington County’s two upstart squads will have a chance to test their skills against one another. We’ve selected this star-studded matchup as our Game of the Week.
Led by Emerson Kelly and Sofia Flores, the Hubs have the firepower to sink just about any opponent. The same can be said for the Leopards, who have gotten goals from nine different players this season.
Something will have to give when North and Smithsburg meet on Saturday.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming contests we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
North Hagerstown at Smithsburg
Kickoff: Saturday, 9 a.m., at Smithsburg
Records: North Hagerstown enters with a 6-2 record, while Smithsburg checks in at 5-2
Last game: The Hubs fell 1-0 to Catoctin, while the Leopards are coming off an 8-1 victory over Boonsboro.
Last meeting: Smithsburg topped North Hagerstown 4-0 last season.
Meet the Hubs: Coach Rick Aleshire’s girls are off to a solid start this season, winning six of eight games to check in at No. 2 in the Class 3A West Region I standings … The Hubs, who are outscoring opponents 26-7, have only suffered defeat at the hands of Oakdale (3-0) and Catoctin (1-0) this fall … With goalkeeper Christina Devanny, owner of four shutouts and more than 30 saves this season, minding the net, North Hagerstown doesn’t need an abundance of offense to win games. As a matter of fact, the Hubs are undefeated in every game they score a goal … Emerson Kelly is in the midst of a breakout season for North. The sophomore midfielder has erupted for 12 goals and two assists over eight games … Fellow sophomore Sofia Flores has been a solid second scoring option, as she’s posted six goals and an assist … Zelda Bonnes and Tia Bucior have scored three goals each for the Hubs, while teammates Maddison Collier and Bella Maciulla have also found the back of the net this fall … North owns wins this season over Boonsboro (4-1), Williamsport (6-0), Clear Spring (5-0), Thomas Johnson (5-0), Frederick (3-0), and Tuscarora (3-2).
Meet the Leopards: Smithsburg has been a powerful squad on the soccer pitch this fall, with coach Terri Mutchler’s girls rolling up wins in five of seven games to hold the No. 2 spot in the Class 1A West Region II rankings … The Leopards, who are outscoring opponents 28-16, own victories over Francis Scott Key (8-0), Thomas Johnson (5-0), Williamsport (3-1), Catoctin (4-3), and Boonsboro (8-1). Their losses have come to South Carroll (8-1) and Walkersville (3-0), two squads who combine for a 9-4-3 record … With stats reported from six of seven games, sophomore midfielder Hannah Krumpe leads the Leopards with seven goals and three assists … Lily Hade (6 goals, 2 assists) and Abby Sines (5, 2) have also been lethal for Smithsburg … With Krumpe and Co. leading the charge, scoring lanes have opened for multiple teammates, including Reagan Furajter (2 goals), Clara Neiman (1), Adalynne Shiffler (1), Kayla Simms (1), Mckenzie Dreisonstock (1), and Zoe Shuster (1) … Payton Patterson and Georgia Cline have shared goalkeeping duties this fall.
Sandrik’s pick: Hubs by 1.
