The finishing touches are usually easy.
It’s building the foundation that can be a problem.
That goes for building a beautiful skyscraper or putting together a winning high school soccer team.
Figuring out how to turn a good team into a great one is easier than getting things started.
That’s good news for the Philadelphia Academy Charter girls soccer team, which is well on its way to putting a championship-caliber team on the pitch.
Coach Robert Mottershead had winning teams and a successful formula for winning before the world shut down during COVID.
Since then, he’s been doing his best to put the pieces back together.
This year’s team, while young, might be the one that brings a championship back to Philadelphia Academy Charter.
There are no seniors, but no shortage of leaders, including captains Adriana Coreano and Rilee Reed.
Coreano, who plays midfield and forward, and Reed, who plays center midfield, are the leaders and captains of this year’s Chargers. The good news is they, along with the entire team, are on the same page and just want to continue turning the program into a winner.
“I love being a leader,” said Coreano, who lives in Normandy. “It teaches me so much. Before I was even captain, I knew I would somewhat have to step up as a veteran player. We had eight graduating seniors last year, three of which were captains. That led us to having no captains going into the next season. I knew once Mott put me and Rilee in charge of handling everything from dealing with the new incoming players to summer workouts, that we both had to step up to the plate.”
“I enjoy being the leader a lot and being able to help those younger than me,” said Reed, who lives in Parkwood. “(I love that) I get to play with my friends and also the coaches really pushed me personally to try and be the best.”
The harder they work, the better things go.
The Chargers are still working at getting to the top, and because of that, they upgraded their nonleague schedule this year to play tough teams outside the Public League.
Because of that, the record isn’t as impressive as it could be. The Chargers are hanging around .500, but every game is not only a chance to get better, it’s a chance to show everyone how much better things are.
The hard work is just part of it.
It’s the bond that they’re building while putting in that hard work that has made the team such a united squad.
“I think what makes this team successful is the love, trust and understanding we all have for each other,” Coreano said. “When you’re an underclassman, you don’t notice too many things that are missing in your team. The one thing I wanted to make sure of is that our team was not missing the love and encouragement from our own teammates. This year we’re such a close-knit team, and I’m happy that Rilee and I have shaped it that way. Whether it’s doing 2-mile runs, watching a movie or post-practice food, we always make sure to include everyone.”
“The fact that we are all so close makes us better,” Reed said. “The chemistry between all of our girls really holds the team together.”
The same attitude that surrounds the girls on the team and at home, where they also have lots of help.
“Seeing the success of my other teammates gives me encouragement to be just as great as they are, and I’m always proud of each of their major achievements,” Coreano said. “Letting some of my past teammates go last season gave me a reason to strive to my fullest potential, because they always set that standard for me.
“My main ‘why’ is my mom. My mom is not only my biggest supporter, but she’s everyone’s biggest supporter. I’ve struggled with a lot of different internal battles in my life, and she was always there. My mother sets the example for everyone, she’s perfect. I seriously don’t know what I would do without her.”
The girls now have two years to continue to grow the PACS program.
For them, the future is now.
“My favorite part about playing on this team is the overall feeling,” Reed said. “Yes, of course there are times to be serious, but most of the time we can’t help but to do anything but joke around and laugh. If I had to describe our team in one word, it would be family. The sport of soccer itself should be something to want to immediately run to when something goes wrong, but it’s a lot better when you have coaches and a team that cares and makes you feel good about yourself.
“The love that comes from our team is something you can’t replace, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The overall feeling on PACHS girls soccer team is playing with a purpose, and my purpose is to cherish every second I have left.” ••
