(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski) GRAVE CONCERN: Hun School girls’ soccer star Holly Hargreaves boots the ball in 2010 action. Senior striker Hargreaves figures to be Hun’s go-to offensive threat this fall. The Raiders open their 2011 campaign when they play at Mt. St. Mary’s on September 14.

Putting in Hard Training Over the Summer, Hun Girls’ Soccer Sees Upswing in Fortunes

Bill Alden

Over the last two falls, the fortunes of the Hun School girls’ soccer team have mirrored the stock market, swinging wildly up and down.

In 2009, the Raiders went 10-4-1 on the way to the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) title and an appearance in the state Prep A championship game.

Last fall, though, Hun struggled, starting 1-7-1, needing a late surge to end at 4-10-2.

That volatility has been a learning experience for Raider head coach Ken Stevenson and his returning veterans.

“The lessons started when we won MAPL and played in the state final; I thought we are now at a high level and will do what it takes to stay there but that didn’t happen,” said Stevenson.

“I did some soul searching, planning, and scheming. We are doing things differently as a program. We got together more over the summer and we have a more robust summer training program. My seniors have experienced the really good season and the really challenging one.”

Hun should get robust production this fall from talented senior striker Holly Hargreaves.

“Hargreaves continues to do the things to get stronger, faster, and more aggressive, if that is possible,” said Stevenson, whose team opens the season at Mt. St. Mary’s on September 14.

“We have a couple of good freshmen on defense and Holly wasted no time letting them know that she was bigger, faster, and stronger and was going to take advantage of them. They have responded and we are having great battles at practice.”

The Raiders have two other good weapons at forward for the battles ahead in juniors Angelica Tabares and Danielle Beal.

“Tabares has done the work,” said Stevenson. “We had a camp in summer before preseason and she came up from Alabama and stayed in the area. She lifted weights and was really dedicated. Danielle Beal has been a pleasant surprise. She is one of our fastest and fittest players; she should get some key minutes.”

The Crivelli sisters, Joey and Gianna, provide speed and fitness in the Hun midfield along with sophomore Olivia Breander-Carr.

“Joey Crivelli has an unstoppable motor; she and her sister did a tour this summer and traveled all over Europe playing soccer,” said Stevenson of the two juniors.

“They have a much better soccer IQ. Breander-Carr hurt her ACL in the Hill game last year in a non-contact injury. She is not quite 100 percent yet but when she is, she will be starting. She has showed toughness.”

Senior Nicole Campellone brings toughness and smarts to the Hun defensive unit.

“Nicole plays for Match Fit Chelsea, they are a legit high-level club team,” said Stevenson, noting that Hargreaves also competes for the Chelsea club side.

“She is really subtle, really tough. You have to be a student of the game to appreciate some of the plays she makes. She is a really smart player. When we push numbers forward, we will have her up there. She is a great distributor when she joins the attack.”

Campellone will be joined on the backline by classmates Nicole Shockley and Phoebe Huang together with freshman Ashley Maziarz.

“We have Nicole Shockley in the middle and Phoebe Huang on outside so that gives three seniors on the backline,” added Stevenson.

“We have freshman Ashley Maziarz at outside left back. She reminds me of Gina Fiori [a senior star on the 2009 squad], she just pounces on the ball. Jessica Sacco is another good freshman and she will play defensive center mid.”

Hun’s last line of defense is in good hands with four-year starter, senior Lexi Golestani.

“Lexi is everything you look for in a goalie; she is aggressive, tough, loud, and fearless,” said Stevenson, noting that Golestani has been tutoring freshman back-up Caitlin Hoagland. “She really understands the game.”

Stevenson is confident his team has the all-around game to get the program back on the upswing.

“We are going to score goals with Holly, Angelica, and Danielle,” said Stevenson. “The defense has to jell, we have players who have changed positions and we have only played one scrimmage. We will look to build out of the back and build wide out of midfield. I feel we should be competitive.”

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