After missing ’16 playoffs, Springdale girls now ‘cooking with gas’

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 | 10:54 PM

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One by one, Springdale girls soccer players took in a pass down the left and right sidelines and sent a cross toward the front of the net, where an imaginary teammate ideally could drive a shot into the goal.

Pleased with the execution, coach Jerry Concannon shouted encouragement.

“We're cooking with gas now,” he said after several successful repetitions in a row.

That description also jibes with how Springdale started its season. After missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 years last season, the Dynamos won two of their first three games this year and stand tied for second place in Section 2-AA at this early moment.

“Last year was somewhat of a wake-up call for us,” junior Jaden Domaratz said. “This year we got together during the summer, we worked harder and we knew what our expectations were for this year. I think we're accomplishing them very well.”

Springdale faced several challenges entering 2016: a new section, as the Dynamos chose to play up in Class AA after the PIAA realigned into four classifications; and an almost entirely new starting lineup following the graduation of 10 seniors the previous spring.

Although Concannon hoped the Dynamos could compete for a playoff spot in the difficult Section 2-AA, they ultimately tied for last place with East Allegheny, losing seven section games by one or two goals and coming up with just one victory.

“It was frustrating in the sense that we knew going in it was going to be a challenge,” Concannon said. “We didn't realize the depth of the challenge, and then we just had a couple unlucky games that didn't go our way. When you put all those things together, it's kind of not great. Your momentum is in the wrong direction.

“Right now, we've created some positive momentum.”

Even with the lack of results on the scoreboard, Concannon saw two benefits to last season: the experience his young varsity players received and the advantage of playing a full junior varsity schedule.

Virtually the entire varsity team returned this season, and they've been supplemented by the JV players.

“They're sticking with the plan, the overall team concept, and they're also playing with composure,” Concannon said. “We're a more relaxed-looking team when we see them play, and they're making good decisions. We've still got a long way to go as you do with any team, but they're way ahead of the curve of where they were at this point last year.”

Springdale's players competed in futsal leagues last winter, with the smaller sides giving them an opportunity to work on making quicker decisions. Speed and agility workouts and training sessions focused on specific techniques also are helping.

After winning their first two games, the Dynamos suffered their first loss Monday, 3-2 at East Allegheny when they peppered 25 shots on goal. Despite the result, Concannon said he thought it was the team's best performance yet.

“We work so well together that we don't get so frustrated,” junior Syd Henley said. “Since we're so closely bonded we know people make mistakes and we know that even if we have one mistake, we can still work together and get it right the next time. Last year we were losing every game and we got so frustrated, and we felt like we couldn't fix it, so we didn't take the time to fix it. We just got mad.”

Springdale benefits from a large roster. Concannon has 31 players between JV and varsity, a high number for such a small school. And given the Dynamos' past — they won WPIAL titles in 1997 and 2009 and are three-time runners-up — they have high expectations.

“Every single game is going to be played with passion, especially from this team, especially the way we work together,” Domaratz said. “I think every single game is going to be worth it. No matter what the score is, every single game we're going to be working hard.”

St. Joseph

The St. Joseph girls soccer team similarly is trying to reach the playoffs after missing out last season, but the Spartans face a steeper climb. Since St. Joseph last made the playoffs in 2011, the Spartans have won seven games over the past five seasons — including one apiece the past three.

Second-year coach McKenzie Ehrlich is hoping to build a winning tradition similar to Springdale's, and it starts with the players' mentality. The Spartans began the season 0-2 but hope to keep improving.

“It's really tough to break (an old mentality) when you're not already where you need to be,” Ehrlich said. “We just came in and started being tougher. ‘Listen, this is what we need to do, and we're going to get it done.' ”

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review staff writer.

Tags: Springdale, St. Joseph