Larger text
Smaller text
Geibel soccer team boasts much-needed depth
Geibel soccer
Geibel girls soccer coach Ron Hostovich will be assisted by Samantha Brown.
The Gators open the 2012 season Sept. 1 with an exhibition game at Monessen.
• Sewickley Academy, Shady Side Academy advance to PIAA tennis semifinals
• Thursday’s high school softball photos
• WPIAL track and field championships
• West Mifflin tops Mt. Pleasant for 1st playoff win in 15 years
By Jason Black
Published: Monday, August 20, 2012, 12:17 a.m.
Updated: Tuesday, February 19, 2013
During his first season as coach of the Geibel girls soccer team, Ron Hostovich didn't have a lot of choices when it came to setting a lineup on a game-by-game basis.
The Gators started the season with just 12 players and lost one to injury in the early part of the season, meaning that the team played nearly the entire year with 11 players.
This year, things are looking up for Hostovich and his team. The Gators will begin the season with a roster comprised of at least 15 players.
“We're very young, but I'm pleased that we have more girls this year,” Hostovich said. “We played with 11 last year, so having some subs this year will be great.”
Being able to give players rest during the games could help Geibel be more competitive. Last season, the Gators finished with 11 shutout losses.
Geibel is hoping that the offense can be enhanced with the combination of freshman Marissa Zetty and sophomore Karly Judy trying to put pressure on opposing defenses. Zetty will play center-midfield, and Judy will be a striker.
The defense will be anchored by sophomore sweeper Taylor Yeardie, who earned all-county honors as a freshman last season. The last line of defense will be senior keeper Amanda Hanabeck.
Geibel lost three players from last year's team to graduation, but according to Hanabeck, this year's group is already forming a tight bond.
“I just hope we have fun and have a good season, and just come closer together,” Hanabeck said. “I think we're already close now. We have a lot of strengths.”
According to Hostovich, the biggest strength of the team may be its youth. Geibel's roster features six sophomores and five freshmen.
“They are all coachable, and they are great kids,” Hostovich said. “We'll do our best this year, and our future looks a lot brighter.”
Geibel will compete in Section 4-A, which is loaded with talented teams such as Greensburg Central Catholic, Shady Side Academy and Springdale.
“Our section is the best section going,” Hostovich said.
Geibel went 0-12 in section play last year, so the Gators have set out to try to improve on that mark.
“We won two nonsection games last year, and we want to win a couple section games this year,” Hostovich said. “Our goal is to do better.”
Jason Black is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at jblack@tribweb.com or 724-626-3534.
Most Popular Stories
- Steelers might be looking at a youth movement in 2013
- Sales might speed bidders’ pulses
- The Incredible Inman: Louis Gossett Jr. was threatening force in ’84 movie ‘The Guardian’
- Obama’s empty ‘justice’
- Shooting blanks
- ‘Warehouse 13’ star wrestled with his demons
- Ladies Hospital Aid Society toasts outgoing president
- Dawson council, VFD members to meet
- Mama Mio Clean Slate
- Mon-Vale Health Resources celebrates 25th Gala
- Photographer, bank vice president amont Circle Award winners
You must be signed in to add comments
To comment, click the Sign in or sign up at the very top of this page.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.
