PIAA Switch Strikes Southern Lehigh Girls Soccer

A member of the Southern Lehigh girls’ soccer team takes on an opponent.

Almost 16 years ago, PIAA mandated that girls’ soccer switch from the spring to the fall season, and said the change must be completed by the fall of 2012. This has caused repercussions for Southern Lehigh coaches and students alike.

This change occurred because girls’ soccer was a fall sport in western Pennsylvania and a spring sport in eastern Pennsylvania, so there was never a true state champion. Now that all of Pennsylvania plays girls’ soccer in the fall, there will now be one state champion.

This change has not only affected the soccer team but also the field hockey and volleyball teams. Athletes at Southern Lehigh have been aware of this change for a while, but that didn’t make the decision any easier.

Sophomores Lizzi Thom and Gabriela Silva both had to make a choice that was a lot easier said than done.

“What influenced me most to play [field hockey instead of soccer] was all the fun spirit days and how close the team becomes by the end of the season,” said Lizzi Thom. “The running is tough, but it is worth it in the end when we walk off the field winners.”

Gabriela Silva still looks back, and wishes she could have continued playing both sports. “I probably would still be playing soccer if it didn’t change,” she said. “I definitely miss it, and wish I could play again.”

The soccer team lost a lot of players when the switch took place this fall. There are fewer players, resulting in not fielding a full JV team, and there is a loss of talent due to girls having to pick sports.

Despite the problems, positives that have emerged from the change. Playing in the fall has allowed for nicer weather, better field conditions, and more summer time to practice. It has also made it easier for the freshmen to adjust, knowing that they had a team to back them up on their first day of high school.

“We’re unhappy to lose people,” Coach Rick Dreves said, “but I’m happy we’re losing them to other sports.”

The team has only just begun its first official fall season, and they’re ready to prove themselves.

About the Contributors

Ashley Zamichieli, News and Our World Editor

Ashley Zamichieli has been on the Spotlight staff for four years. Starting as a freshman staff reporter, she progressed to features editor in tenth grade, and in during her junior and senior years, she has served as editor of both the news and the our world pages. Ashley participates in many extracurricular activities. She is a member of National Honor Society, Key Club, Student Forum, and Student Council. She is also manager for the boys volleyball team. Playing on the girls volleyball team proved one of the most memorable aspects of her high school career. “Winning districts in 2013 and making it to state semifinals was an experience I’ll never forget,” she said. Ashley even received an honorable mention in AAA District XI in 2014 for volleyball. Outside of school, Ashley likes to spend her free time running, listening to music, going to the beach, traveling, and watching Netflix. Her favorite shows include “Scandal,” “Friday Night Lights,” and “Parks and Recreation.” Ashley’s favorite memory from high school was her experience in Spain in 2015, and wished the group could have stayed longer than 11 days. "If you get the chance to travel, go!” she said. “It was amazing, and I can’t wait to study abroad in college. Our group was so much fun and it’s something I’ll always look back on.” Ashley’s favorite thing about journalism was having the opportunity to write about things that pushed her out of her comfort zone. “I’ll miss staying after school and working really late on the paper right before publication with Dana, Cody, Kylie, and of course Mrs. Spritzer,”she said. She will also miss seeing familiar faces in the halls and the football and basketball games. But she admits that she will not miss getting up at six in the morning, not being able to have coffee in class, and sitting in freezing classrooms. Ashley has learned many lessons over the last four years, and leaves behind a piece of advice for underclassmen: “Hard work pays off, but don’t let the little things get to you-- and just remember that you’ll get to relax senior year!” In the fall, Ashley will attend Lafayette College in Easton. She plans to major in neuroscience on a pre-med track and is undecided about whether she will go to grad school or medical school. She plans to study abroad in places such as Germany, Switzerland, and England, and hopes to adventure through the rest of Europe too.

Kylie Schmitt, Center Spread Editor

Kylie Schmitt was part of the Spotlight staff since she was a freshman and an editor since she was a sophomore. She is a three-year center spread editor, and also shared the role of web editor during her senior year. Outside of the student newspaper, Kylie was a member of the Varsity Club, Student Council, French Club, and the National Honor Society. She also participated in winter and spring track and played varsity and travel field hockey. When Kylie isn’t participating in one of her many activities, one might find her drinking milkshakes, watching Netflix, and crying over Grey’s Anatomy. Her favorite parts of journalism over the years were after 3:00 pub labs, her desktop wallpaper of Cody, listening to Mrs. Spritzer yell at Cody, and when Dana threatens that she is quitting. In the fall Kylie will attend East Stroudsburg University. She plans to major in nursing and play on the field hockey team.

The Spotlight

The Spotlight

PIAA Switch Strikes Southern Lehigh Girls Soccer