Susquenita girls soccer had a strong 2023 season. They ended with a record of 13 wins and 6 losses and had the best record in the Tri-Valley League at 11 wins and 1 loss.
In a groundbreaking season starter on Aug. 28, they won 5-0 over Susquehanna Township. Susquenita dominated on offense with 31 shots on goal. This win was followed by a 0-6 loss against Red Land High School on Aug. 30. Susquenita scored zero goals and only acquired two shots on net. Senior Emma Stiller made 25 saves throughout the game for the Black Hawks, but it was not enough to stop Red Land’s offense.
Susquenita bounced back on Sept. 6 with their first Tri-Valley League game of the season, against Halifax. In the matchup, Susquenita earned a shutout win, 11-0, with 39 shots on goal. The Black Hawks continued their league successes with a win against East Juniata on Sept. 11, 6-0, and a win against Millersburg on Sept. 14, 2-1. Senior Emma Eicher led in scoring in both games with three goals against East Juniata and one against Millersburg.
Against West Perry on Sept. 16, Susquenita lost, 2-0. This end to a three-game win streak was not a total defeat, as this non-league loss had no effect on their standing in the TVL. In their next league game against Juniata on Sept. 18, Susquenita secured a win, 1-0. It was a competitive matchup; Susquenita had 15 shots on goal and 18 saves, with Junior Paige Jenkins getting the only goal for both sides.
Susquenita’s next non-league game was a loss on Sept. 20 against Brandywine Heights Area High School, 0-2, followed by a blowout game in the TVL against Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy, 8-0. Susquenita put 51 shots on goal this game; Sophomore Riley Egrestis led the scoring with four goals.
Susquenita won against Line Mountain, their greatest competitor in the Tri-Valley League, in another league game on Sept. 26, 2-1. This close matchup reflected the similar standings of the teams. Stiller had 20 saves this game, keeping the Line Mountain offense at bay.
The Black Hawks then put up four successive league victories. They shut out Halifax for the second time on Sept. 28, 6-0. On Oct. 3, Susquenita beat East Juniata in another shut out, 4-0.
The next day, Oct. 4, the Black Hawks used their momentum and beat Saint Joe’s, 8-1, with as many goals as their first matchup against this team and only letting one goal in. On Oct. 5, Susquenita beat Millersburg, 2-1, in a much closer game than their previous three. Millersburg put up 17 shots on goal to Susquenita’s 16, but the Black Hawks made better use of their attempts and came out on top after the game went to double overtime. The only player from Newport on Susquenita’s team, junior Emily Wagner, called this tense matchup a highlight for the season.
Susquenita’s league win streak finally ended on Oct. 9 against Line Mountain, 0-1, Susquenita’s only league loss in the regular season. Susquenita had 15 saves but couldn’t match Line Mountain’s plays on offense. The Black hawks got one last win in the TVL regular season on Oct. 10 against Juniata, 4-0, ending the season on a high note and a shutout. Eicher led in scoring in this game with three goals.
Two days later, on Oct. 12, Susquenita had their last non-league game against East Pennsboro, 0-4, matching their trend of non-league losses. Still, the Black Hawks had a strong performance in this game, with 31 steals split among the whole on-field team.
On Oct. 16, Susquenita got the opportunity to compete in the Tri-Valley League semi-finals against East Juniata where they won, 2-0. This win showed off the Black Hawk’s strength on offense and defense with 25 shots on goal and seven saves. This win secured them a spot in the TVL championship game on Oct. 18.
In the championship game, Susquenita played Line Mountain. At this point, the Black Hawks had one win and one loss against the Eagles. Line Mountain came out strong and ultimately beat Susquenita 3-0. This marked the end of Susquenita’s season. Wagner remarked that it was a sad game but that the team still tried to play hard despite losing.
Overall, Susquenita had a successful winning season. Notably, the Black Hawks went 11-1 in the Tri-Valley League but 2-5 against players outside of the league. While Susquenita consistently outplayed league teams, they faced tougher competition against non-league teams. Wagner explains, “The teams outside the league are…very difficult. They are good with their plays.”
In the broader scope of the season, Susquenita was proud of their performance. “[It] could definitely have been better,” said Wagner, “but we still improved.” As a junior, Wagner has a year of Susquenita soccer ahead of her if she is able to play, potentially still as the sole Newport player. She reflects on this past season and shows hope for next year, saying, “We definitely worked hard for what we wanted…when we work hard and we work as a group, then we definitely have a chance at anything.”
