Over the course of the past few years, Honesdale’s girls varsity soccer team has leapt from the middle of the pack to the top of the heap in Wyoming Valley Conference action.

The Lady Hornets won their first-ever Division ‘C’ title last season and are on their way to another 10-win campaign this spring. However, the Red & Black will lose 14 seniors to graduation this June, a fact that would cause panic at many other schools...but not in Honesdale.

No, the loss of that many players just makes room for a talented crop of JVs who are just champing at the bit for a shot at varsity minutes.

Under the direction of Coach Jerry Burns, the young Lady Hornets are on the verge of a perfect season. And, while the JVs don’t get to play as often as they’d like, they make the most of their opportunities.

The Red & Black are coming off a solid 5-2 victory over North Pocono, but the highlight of the ‘08 campaign thus far would have to be winning this year’s Wallenpaupack Area JV Invitational Tournament. That event took place last weekend on the shores of The Big Lake.

“I’m very lucky to be involved with such a great group of girls,” Coach Burns told TWI Sports. “They’ve very coachable, they work hard and they’re alot of fun to be around. We’re a little bit short on numbers, so I have to move them around to different positions, but nobody ever complains. They do whatever it takes to win.”

What it took to win at Paupack’s jayvee tournament was a pair of clutch performances under nailbiting conditions. Honesdale won both of its matches on penalty kicks after finishing tied at the end of regulation.

The Lady Hornets downed Delaware Valley 3-2 in the semis, then defeated Paupack 2-1 in the finals.

“We played very well against some very good competition,” said Coach Burns. “We’re starting three freshmen, so we’re pretty young. What I liked about the tournament is that we played aggressively. I think it was a good experience for us.”

By the Numbers
Honesdale opened its quest for a tournament title against Delaware Valley on an awkward note. The Lady Hornets spotted DV 1-0 lead on an own goal off a Warriors’ corner.

The Red & Black bounced back, though, scoring two of the next three goals in regulation. Melissa Corbin made it 1-1 at halftime with a tally of a Natalie Hoff assist (24:56). Kelsey Kohrs then came through with a huge goal late in the second half to force overtime.

Due to tournament time constraints, tie games proceeded directly to the penalty kick phase. In this one, Honesdale keeper Leanna Bennett allowed just two of five DV shots to get by. The Lady Hornets responded with successful PKs from Natalie Hoff, Ruby Brinkerhoff and Alicia Manzione to seal the deal.

Paupack earned a date opposite Honesdale in the title tilt via a 2-1 victory over North Pocono. Kacie Chern led the way offensively. She hammered home both Lady Buckhorn goals off assists from teammate Brit Davies.

Paupack struck first in the championship game. Davies score an unassisted goal with just over 17 minutes gone in the first half. That tally stood up until midway through the second half when Kelsey Kohrs evened things back up.

According to Coach Burns, Kohrs is the “unofficial captain” of the jayvee team. The Lady Hornets’ star midfielder nailed down a spot on the tournament all-star team with an unassisted goal that forced this match into another extra session.

Once again, Bennett came through between the pipes. Honesdale’s young keeper surrendered PKs to just two Lady Bucks (Marissa Ciaravino and Chern). The Red & Black responded with three to win the match (Alicia Manzione, Randi Jo Kowalczyk, Elly Skinner).

“Leanna Bennett was phenomenal,” Coach Burns said. “In two games, she stopped 7-out-of-9 penalty kicks. That’s pretty amazing. Leanna is a rookie keeper, but she already has a presence out there. I told the other girls not to worry because Leanna was going to stop at least one. I have that kind of confidence in her.”

Honesdale led the field with six selections to the all-tourney team. Joining Kohrs on the mythical squad were teammates Elly Skinner, RJ Kowalczyk, Alicia Manzione, Natalie Hoff and Leanna Bennett.

Trojans Trounced
The Lady Hornets used the momentum generated by their tournament title to deal North Pocono a 5-2 in Lackawanna League play Thursday night.

Honesdale leapt out to a quick lead in this one and cruised to victory.

Kowalczyk was the ringleader against the visiting Trojans. RJ opened the scoring early in the first half, then added two more after intermission. Her hat trick drew rave reviews from Coach Burns, who just shook his head and smiled when asked about Kowalczyk’s future as a soccer player.

“Randi Jo Kowalczyk is one of the most athletic girls on this team,” said Coach Burns. “We started her off in the midfield, but she’s just so fast that we had to move her up. Anytime she gets a breakaway situation, she’s getting the shot off...and most of the time it’s going in the net.”

Kowalczyk’s first tally came off a pass from Manzione. RJ gave Honesdale a 1-0 lead at the 16:49 mark; but, North Pocono came roaring right back to tie the score less than a minute later.

Manzione broke the deadlock with an unassisted goal with 11:01 left before intermission. Kowalczyk then made it 3-1 on a breakaway with 7:23 remaining.

“I have to be honest: I wasn’t real happy with how we played in the first half,” said Coach Burns. “I think we should have been ahead by a lot more than just 3-1. But, the girls woke up a little bit in the second half and played the way I know they can.”

Kowalczyk and Kohrs closed out the scoring for Honesdale after the break. RJ put the finishing touches on her hat trick with a goal at the 71:06 mark. Kelsey earned the assist on that one, then found the back of the net herself two minutes later.

Bennett earned yet another win in goal. Honesdale’s keeper carded six saves on the evening. The Lady Hornets outshot North Pocono by a margin of 16-7.