Deer Lakes girls soccer learning on fly, gaining confidence

By: Michael Love
Monday, October 2, 2023 | 9:51 PM

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Deer Lakes sophomore Bryanna Simonetti spelled out a simple formula for the Lancers’ Section 2-2A clash with section power Freeport last Wednesday.

“It just came down to us sticking together as a team and playing solid at both ends,” Simonetti said. “We had been playing pretty well, and I had faith that we could get that win.”

And win they did, as Deer Lakes got a goal in each half — one from senior forward Kylie McCoy midway through the first 40 minutes and an insurance tally from Simonetti assisted by fellow sophomore Clair Cacurak with about 20 minutes left in regulation — for a 2-0 victory that avenged a 3-1 loss to the Yellowjackets from Aug. 31.

“After that (second goal), we just had to keep our end together and focus on finishing the game off. We knew Freeport was going to come at us pretty hard,” Simonetti said.

“The defense and (senior goalkeeper) Brooke (Kostyak) played so well the whole game. It was a huge win for us. (Freeport) came in undefeated and had beaten us. We wanted to show that we had gotten better since the first time we played them.”

Deer Lakes, which has a lineup filled with experienced starting talent from 2022, is right in the mix for a return to the WPIAL playoffs, a berth that eluded them last year by the smallest of margins.

“With only losing two starters from last year, we had a lot of motivation to work to get back to the playoffs. We trained hard over the summer, and we came in ready to go,” said Cacurak, who is back healthy this fall after playing only four games as a freshman.

Cacurak, who scored both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 nonsection win over Class A playoff contender South Allegheny, suffered an ankle injury that required surgery.

“It was tough to not be out there with my teammates, but I did whatever I could,” she said. “I was cheering on my sister (sophomore defender Brooke Cacurak) and my friends. I was so anxious to get back. I wanted to step my game up. I wanted to let the team and other teams know I was here to play and make a difference.

“We’ve shown a lot of teams how we can play. We’re getting better with good practices and are showing it on the field.”

McCoy said getting the first goal in games, such as her first-half tally against Freeport off an assist from senior Brittany Schindler, makes all the difference.

“It helped us settle down a little more, and it brought even so much more energy to the team,” she said. “After the first one, we were like, ‘OK, let’s get another.’ With that second goal, we could kind of see the effect on their faces, but we just never let up.”

Last year, more than a dozen games in the section were decided by one goal or ended up tied. Deer Lakes was on the wrong side several times, finishing 1-5 in such close outcomes.

“I told the girls last Monday at practice, ‘How about we win one of these?’ ” coach Frank Accetta said. “And they responded. We got in the film room Tuesday and dissected the first Freeport game over and over. The biggest thing against a great team like Freeport is that you have to play a complete 80-minute game. With a team that talented, they will pick you apart at any moment if you fall asleep. I was so happy with the way they paid attention in the film room and then went out and played that complete game.”

Deer Lakes and defending section champion Knoch went down to the wire Sept. 20. The Knights scored with about two minutes left in regulation to break a 2-2 tie and pick up the win.

“On any given day, these teams can play equal to one another,” Accetta said. “The win over Freeport gives them added confidence. It was that extra shot in the arm. Now that they have that big win, they want more.”

Deer Lakes (3-3) sits in fourth place in the section with nine playoff points heading into Wednesday’s rematch at Burrell. The Bucs won the first meeting 3-2 on Sept. 11 at Lancers Stadium.

Freeport (5-1-1, 16 points) jumped over Burrell (5-2, 15 points) in the section standings with a 2-1 overtime win over the Bucs on Monday night. Knoch (5-2-1) defeated Valley, 13-0, to also hit the 16-point mark in section play.

Apollo-Ridge (2-5, 6 points) is not out of the running.

Accetta considers the start of the season as a learning experience, not only for the players but the coaches, too.

Deer Lakes suffered a 7-2 loss to 2022 WPIAL Class A runner-up Springdale in the season opener on Aug. 26.

Junior Briana Ross scored five goals to lead the Dynamos to the eye-opening victory.

“Springdale is such a good team, but we played a formation I shouldn’t have ever had them in,” Accetta said. “I blame myself for that. There were only three girls in the back, and against a player like Bri Ross, that’s just not a good idea. I was trying to overload the offense.

“We switched it up a little bit the first time against Freeport, but I saw that wasn’t going to work, either. So since then, we’ve been three up top, three in the midfield and four in the back, and it’s been paying off. Games early in the season, you’re trying to find your mark and hit your stride in October.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

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