By Alex Frazier
Meet…Sheila LongoWe, not I.
That’s Sheila Longo’s philosophy on the soccer field.
Although the Abington senior forward leads the team in goals and points, it’s not about her scoring stats.
“I don’t think of it as scoring individually,” she said. “I think of it as a team. If we’re playing and the other team gets a goal, I think to myself, ‘We need another one. WE need another one, not just me. We as a team need to come back and score another one.’
“I’ve had a lot of determination to do that for the team, not necessarily myself. Without the help of my teammates, those plays and through balls would never happen. That’s the whole part of the team effort.”
Longo was selected captain as a sophomore and junior, but this year the team voted on two different captains. A lot of girls would have pouted and been bitter.
Not Longo.
“I’m happy that my teammates are getting that chance to succeed,” she said. “I’m not upset or have any grudges. It would have been nice, but it’s not the end of the world. If I play and set an example of my own, that in itself is also trying to get the team to play hard and try their best.”
In terms of goal production, Longo’s junior year has been her best season with 15 goals. She credits that feat to a concussion she suffered during basketball season when she ran into a teammate during practice.
“There was this urge to go out and play hard when I got better,” she said.
She had to wear a “brain pad,” which is like a mouth guard that is supposed to prevent future concussions.
“I looked like a grandma with dentures,” she said. “There was spit flying everywhere.”
It took some time getting used to being able to breathe and talk at the same time.
“It didn’t affect me,” she said. “If anything it changed me to work harder when I played. Just to be able to play was a luxury, I realized.”
Longo suffered another injury this year that caused here to miss about two weeks.
In one of her Hunter club games on the weekend, she bruised her right calf muscle. Eventually it healed but she had to wear a hard pad to protect it.
Longo also plays point guard on the basketball team.
“It’s not my main sport, but I still enjoy it,” she said. “It’s nice to change up. It’s new and you’re using a different part of your body to do a different type of thing to score a different type of goal. Sometimes I have to think whether I’m using my feet or my hands in a game.”
This year will be different for Longo, who has been used to playing basketball and then soccer rather than the reverse. She improves her endurance during soccer and her speed during basketball.
“Hopefully, during basketball season going from outside to a stuffy gym will be an easier transition,” she said.
When she’s not being a team player, Longo likes to toot her own horn—an alto saxophone. Known as a “band geek” to her friends and teammates, Longo actually hasn’t had time to play in a band since ninth grade, but she does take symphonic band as a class, which meets first period every morning.
“It’s a good way to stay involved in music,” she said. “I’ve been playing it since fifth or sixth grade. It’s a nice hobby to have and a cool way to learn new things through music.”
Her “do-the-best-I-can” attitude also extends to the classroom. She carries a 4.2 GPA and ranks in the top five percent of her class.
This year she is taking advanced placement courses in biology, calculus and physics.
“I try hard, as much as I try hard on the field or court,” she said. “I always try my best.”
Her mother, a nurse, is encouraging her in the direction of medicine. Though she is not making any decisions right now, she is considering pre-med as well as education, perhaps even a double major.
“I might want to become a teacher when I’m older,” she said. “Maybe I’ll teach them biology.”
Longo would like to play soccer in college next year, but it will depend on the level. Her No. 1 choice right now is Pitt, but she’s also looking at Maryland and Delaware. At a Division One school, she may have to walk on or play club.
Her chances to play would increase if she ends up at a Division Two or Three school.
“I don’t know where I would play,” she said. “Anything would be great at the collegiate level. It would be much more competitive. It would be a cool thing to try out.”
Best wishes – We at SuburbanOneSports.com would like to extend best wishes to referee Dan Long, who suffered a stroke while officiating the Pennridge-Quakertown girls soccer game Monday evening.
While running down the sideline, he collapsed in front of Pennridge coach Jorge Rodriguez with nine minutes remaining in the first half. Rodriguez rushed onto the field to try to help him. Long was conscious and even tried to get up, but couldn’t communicate. Rodriguez immediately called 911.
Between parents and the other official, Long was kept calm until the ambulance arrived.
The Quakertown athletic director was able to find another local official within 10 minutes, and the game was finished.
At last word Long was doing well and was supposed to leave the hospital Friday.
“He was doing a great job until he went down,” said Rodriguez.
A pink hair day – Having a bad hair day is not always a bad thing.
Wissahickon sophomore Laura Frankenfield came up with a great idea to celebrate Breast Awareness Month by participating in Pink Hair for Hope.
“We thought it would be fun to do as a team,” said senior Jackie Carradorini.
The girls’ team went to the Noel Beauty Salon in Lower Merion, and each donated $10 to have a pink hair extension put in their hair that’s supposed to last four to six weeks.
They certainly attracted some attention when they went out for dinner. And at school the next day everyone was asking about it.
“That’s what really spreads the news about breast cancer,” said Carradorini. “We got a lot of attention at school because of it.”
Besides the benefit of donating $150 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the girls are hoping their pink hair will spook Upper Dublin next week when they play their archrival on Senior Night.
“I hope,” said Carradorini.
If nothing else, they have a head start on their Halloween costume.
Officially – Coaches were concerned last year that when girls’ soccer moved to the fall there wouldn’t be enough officials.
In part, that is true.
But according to Sue Wilson, the Suburban One League and District One playoff assignor, “We’ve adapted.”
The Suburban Philadelphia Soccer Officials Association, which is the chapter that primarily services the SOL,started the year with 220 officials but only approximately 190 are currently active. Wilson not only assigns officials from her own chapter but also from others, as long as they are PIAA certified.
She has managed to cover all high school games this season. She has been able to do it by “creative scheduling.” One way that was done was by playing varsity and jayvee back to back.
Another was doubling up.
“A lot of guys that normally would work one game are now working two games a day, and they’re working every day of the week,” said Wilson.
Just as some schools had to hire coaches without vast experience, so Wilson also had to assign officials with limited experience.
“We had some officials that rose to the occasion,” said Wilson. “A lot of them were ready. One thing we’re finding is a lot of people come in and already have years of experience. Once they learn the mechanics, they do a great job. I would like to add that many of our younger officials have many years of playing experience and have a great head start.”
In some cases officials may end up making more money now that girls’ soccer is played in the fall, because while doing double duty now, they will also be able to referee another sport in the spring.
“We have some guys that have gotten into men’s lacrosse, and we have some guys that do baseball anyway, some guys that do softball,” said Wilson.
While all high school games were covered, that wasn’t the case with ninth grade and middle school games. The district still needs more officials.
“We’ll be actively recruiting in the off-season,” said Wilson, who added a special thank you to the coaches, athletic directors, and officials for their flexibility in making it all possible.
Around the league – With the final week of the season in sight, there are at least two conference titles at stake.
Upper Dublin has locked up the American Conference championship. But the battle for second rages between Plymouth Whitemarsh and Wissahickon. The Colonials have the easier road with games left against Upper Merion and Norristown. Wissahickon faces cross-town rival Upper Dublin and Cheltenham.
The Continental is less certain. Pennridge has been on a streak and appears to be headed for the championship, but the Rams will have to get by Central Bucks West, which hasn’t given up a league goal. The Lady Bucks have a tough schedule remaining with games against Hatboro-Horsham, Pennridge and Central Bucks South, while Pennridge faces West, Quakertown and Souderton.
Central Bucks South and Hatboro-Horsham are not likely to challenge for the top spot, but they can play spoilers, and each team certainly wants to finish as high as possible for district seeding. While South will meet both West and Hatboro, the Hatters helped their cause with a 2-0 win over North Penn.
Two second-half goals by Marykate Bateman and Carly Black broke a scoreless game in the 63rd and 68th minutes, respectively. It was the first Hatter victory over the Maidens in over five years. Their final league game is against Quakertown.
The National appears to be a two-horse race with Neshaminy playing the spoiler. In a head-to-head contest Friday, Rock South rolled over Rock North, 4-0, giving the Golden Hawks a one-point lead for first place. Sophomore Paige McDowell scored a pair of goals, while Cara Deola and Gabrielle Rosenfeld chipped in single tallies.
Caitlin Hannigan scored Rock North’s lone goal.
South has Pennsbury and Bensalem left, while the Indians face Bensalem and Neshaminy.
If South should trip up, North could win the league if it wins out.
In other action,William Tennent defeated Abington at Schwarzman Stadium 2-1. Tennent broke out on top on a goal by Angelina Liddy. Sheila Longo collected a pass from Molly Wyman and finished nicely to tie the score. Tennent closed out the scoring when Alison Pio went coast to coast through the Ghosts’ defense and beat Jess Schmidt for the game winner.
North Penn defeated Quakertown 4-2 on goals by Alex Ruth, Katie Huber, Lizzy Kohler and Gina Scotto.
SOL Top Five
1. Council Rock South
2. Council Rock North
3. Pennridge
4. Neshaminy
5. Central Bucks West
Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association
(Oct. 9)
1. Council Rock South 11-2-1
2. Archbishop Wood 11-1-0
3. Downingtown East 12-2-0
4. Boyertown 14-1-1
5. Owen J. Roberts 10-2-1
6. Pennridge 11-1-1
7. Methacton 12-3-0
8. Strath Haven 10-2-0
9. Council Rock North 10-3-0
10. Neshaminy 8-3-2
Others receiving votes (in order): Central Bucks West, Lower Merion, West Chester east, Central Bucks South, Bishop Shanahan, Villa Jos. Marie
Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Poll
(Week of Oct. 10)
1. Archbishop Wood (12)
2. Council Rock South (1)
3. Downingtown East (1)
4. Peters Township (7)
5. Pine-Richland (7)
6. Pennridge (1)
7. Owen J. Roberts (1)
8. Boyertown (1)
9. Central Bucks West (1)
10. Strath Haven (1)
National Soccer Coaches Association Region III Poll
(Oct. 12)
1. Pingry (NJ) 7-0-0
2. Pennington (NJ) 8-0-0
3. Archbishop Wood 11-1-0
4. Immaculate Heart (NJ) 8-1-1
5. Mercyhurst Prep (Pa.) 9-0-3
6. Ramapo (NJ) 9-0-0
7. Council Rock South 11-1-1
8. Downingtown East 12-2-0
9. Peters Township (pa.) 13-1-0
10. Pine-Richland (Pa.) 14-1-0
11. Lenape (NJ) 8-1-1
12. Pennridge 11-1-1
13. Northern Highlands (NJ) 10-1-0
14. Red Bank (NJ) 11-0-0
15. Hopewell Valley (NJ) 9-0-0
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