Wallenpaupack Area’s girls varsity soccer team put the finishing touches on an outstanding regular season with back-to-back victories.

The Lady Bucks closed out the ‘09 spring campaign with a pair of 1-0 decisions over archrival Honesdale and Pittston Area. With these wins, Paupack ends its Wyoming Valley Conference slate with a stellar 8-2-2 record.

“We definitely ended the regular season the way we wanted to,” Coach Mike Soskil told TWI Sports. “We got two hard-fought wins against two good teams. I really think we’re ready to take the next step.”

That next step for the Lady Bucks is a berth in the District Two play-offs. Paupack’s opponent has yet to be determined. However, as the second place team in Division ‘B’, it seems likely that the Lady Bucks will host at least one home play-off match.

The local lasses finished up behind only pre-season WVC favorite Valley West. The Spartans ended their campaign with a sparkling 11-1 mark.

If all goes as expected at this week’s District Two bracket meeting, Paupack should earn a #3 seed and host either Pittston Area or Hazleton.
That match is tentatively set for Wednesday, May 13th at 4:30 p.m.

Stay tuned to TWI Sports for continuing coverage of the girls spring soccer scene.

Hornets Swatted
Paupack visited the Maple City Thursday evening and completed its season sweep of the homestanding Hornets.

Led by the Dynamic Duo of Gina Boccia and Heather Michael, the Lady Bucks carved out an impressive 1-0 road win.

A senior striker who’s among the team leaders in most major offensive categories, Boccia tallied the lone goal of this contest. Gina beat Honesdale’s LeeAnna Bennett for an unassisted goal seven minutes into overtime.

Boccia is tied for the team lead in goals with nine. She also has a pair of assists to her credit.

“Gina is just a burner,” said Coach Soskil. “She has so much speed that’s she’s very difficult to mark. She has a real knack for scoring goals in key situations. Gina is having a great year for us.”

Boccia’s tally was enough to seal the deal on yet another victory for Michael. Paupack’s keeper stopped all nine shots she faced en route to her ninth shutout of the season. To date, Heather has allowed just 16 goals in more than 1,200 minutes of action. Mich-ael owns 104 stops and an 86.4 save percentage.

“Heather’s been outstanding,” said Coach Soskil. “With our defense playing as well as it has, she usually doesn’t have to make a ton of saves. But, when she has to, Heather really rises to the occasion.”

Paupack outshot the Hornets by a margin of 18-8 and doubled up the Red & Black in corners, 6-3.

Bennett turned in another solid effort between the pipes. Honesdale’s talented young keeper stopped 17 shots en route to a hard-luck loss.

Score by half...
WAL  (7-2-2)  0  0  1 - 1
HON  (4-7-0)  0  0  0 - 0

Pats Pasted
Paupack continued its impressive WVC run with another 1-0 win Saturday morning on the shores of The Big Lake.

Lauren Cassel provided the offensive heroics in this one, scoring the Lady Bucks’ only goal of the game. Cassel shook loose from the Pittston Area defense late in the opening half. She snared a pass from Kyla Wentz and hammered the ball home.

The goal came at the 31:17 mark and propelled Paupack to a season-ending, Senior Night victory.

“I’m very happy that Lauren got that goal,” said Coach Soskil. “She’s probably our best all-round player and for her to score the game-winner on Senior Night was really appropriate.”

The Lady Bucks completely dominated this particular contest. Paupack outshot the Pats by a staggering margin of 15-3 and also enjoyed a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.

Michael was only called upon to make three stops, compared to Pittston’s Lauren Smicherko who had to record 14 saves.

Margit Deppert, Kim Barry and Carli Moritz led the defensive charge for Paupack.

Deppert started off slowly, but has emerged as the Lady Bucks’ defensive stopper in second half WVC action. A junior blessed with myriad physical skills, Deppert usually draws the toughest one-on-one assignment.

“Margit has been absolutely fabulous,” said Coach Soskil. “When I need someone to shut down an opponent’s best scorer, I usually go to Margit.”

Paupack’s next assignment is a non-league encounter with East Stroudsburg North. That home game is tentatively set for this Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Score by half...
WAL  (8-2-2)  1  0 - 1
PITT  (2-9-1)  0  0 - 0