This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Good team balance for 2013 women's soccer

A good balance of skill across the board, particularly from the crop of newcomers, will be an asset this season as the Cyclones look for more wins and success in 2013.

With both leading scorers—Michaela Sheeran (Oak Lawn) and Alyssa Braun (Shepard)—gone this year, the returning captains are expected to lead this team on and off the field. All-Conference player Patricia Tuxford (Richards) and defender Jill Kossifos (Mount Assisi) played well last season and will lead their teammates by example and a hard work ethic. Forward/defender Yesenia Galvin (Maria) also returns along with Roxanne Milan (Beecher), as the Cyclones’ lone goalkeeper.

The new Cyclones come from a variety of high schools, each bringing a similar skill-set for a nice blend on the field. They include forwards Stephanie Aimone (Andrew), Leticia Diaz (Argo), Maria Gabino (Hubbard), Diana Lozano (Richards), Janelle Walters (Shepard), and Antonia Zaper (Argo); defenders Aurora Delgado (Mother McAuley), Ines Tepepa (Argo); and midfielders/defenders Cara Dillon (Marist), Kathleen Gribbon (Marist), Samantha Reyes (Marist), and Kenya Torres (Hubbard).

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Coach Jim Knawa likes the dynamic of his team so far and will continue to instill not only a winning attitude, but class, character and sportsmanship, hallmarks of his Cyclone squad each season. “Every year we play hard. We’re here to win, but we’ll do it the right way. So far it’s worked out well,” he said.

Knawa returns for his ninth season at the helm and is joined by new assistant James Kline, who was an assistant for the Cyclones men’s soccer team several years ago.

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Cyclones will be competing on a new game field this season, west of Building P and the softball field, which was the previous site of the team’s practice fields. Their home opener is Saturday, Aug. 31, noon, against South Suburban College.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?