The Parkland High School girls soccer team, under head coach Al Haddad, has been the class of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District 11 for the last decade. The Trojans enter the 2022 regular season as defending conference and district champions, finishing last year with a 19-3-1 overall record. They have won the last eight EPC crowns, two straight district titles and six of the last seven district championships.

The scary thing for their 2022 opponents is that the Trojans bring back a lot of talent from last season’s squad.

Parkland graduated Demi Olatilo, Mariana Aubele-Gonzalez, Marissa Olenwine, Reagan Kinney and Sarah Janukowicz after the 2021 campaign.

Parkland has a large, experienced senior class to lead the way this season, including forwards Olivia Kunz, Hailey Sammarco, Ivy Dias and Sejal Wellington; midfielders Angelina Hallal and Morgan Dobil; defenders Bella Brans, Cat Crampton, Reagan Bleiler, Madi Bowman, Olivia Van Dien and Meagan Braim; and goalie Kayla McNevin.

“We’re returning a strong nucleus of 13 seniors,” said Haddad, entering his 16th season at the helm. “A few injuries might set us back early, but we expect to gain valuable experience with returning juniors and sophomores.”

Some returning underclassmen that Haddad and his coaching staff expect to contribute include juniors Dani Marsteller, Aristea Gougoustamos, Lauren Ervin and Natalie Pelizzoni and sophomore Delaney Chilcote.

“We have great team speed and depth at every position that should not lower the level of play over the first 11,” Haddad said. “We are excited to play once around in league play and our goal is to put ourselves in the best position to compete for EPC, District 11 and beyond.”

Just like every year under Haddad, the Trojans focus a large part of their season off the pitch on giving back to the community. A popular team activity has included building bikes for youths in a campaign called Goal$4Dreams. It has held a special place in the hearts of Haddad and his student-athletes dating back to when he took over the program in 2006.

“Once again, we will focus our charitable efforts into our Goal$4Dreams campaign,” said Haddad. “With our efforts, we have raised over $106,000 in the past six seasons - all for charity.”