Winning a state title takes a special team, but defending that title is in some ways even harder because of the expectations going into the next year.
However, the Sharks’ girls soccer program has become accustomed to such expectations over the years under head Dave Silverberg and that experience came to play as they defeated North Fort Myers and Miami Lourdes Academy, both 2-1, in the Class 5A state semifinal and championship game to win back-to-back state titles.
According to Silverberg, each squad and season is different in its own way, and this year’s may have been arguably one of his best coaching displays.
The Sharks lost about a dozen seniors from last year’s state title team, including two that began the season with the team before graduating and enrolling early in college.
As a result, the program experienced a drastic switch from having a heavy senior-laden presence to one that was suddenly having to play an array of talented but young players who some of which were seeing extended minutes for the first time.
However, the Sharks leaned on the veteran presence they still had on the team, especially in the likes of seniors Natalie McCann and Quinlee Irwin and seasoned juniors such as Grace Archer, Izzy Whitaker and Lily Morse.
Seasons like this year when so much turnover takes place is when the difference between the Shakrs and other girls soccer programs really begins to stand out, because there is a true understanding by everyone involved from seniors to freshmen of the lofty goals the team has each year, and it has created the definition of a winning culture.
The Sharks advanced to the championship game following a 2-1 victory over the North Fort Myers Red Knights thanks to goals from Morse and sophomore Lulu Consunji on Feb. 19 at the Lake Mrytle Sports Complex in Auburndale.
Three days later they were back it and finished the deal for a second straight title by defeating the Miami Lourdes Academy 2-1, once again getting a goal from Consunji as well as fellow sophomore Katie DeVincentis as the youth movement for the Sharks came through in a big way en route to another state title.
Consunji had five goals for the season before scoring a pair in the final four, while sophomore goalkeeper Abby Kennedy stopped 18 of 20 shots faced during the 160 minutes played during the final four contests.
