Tigers Down Eagles On Goals By Ziegler And Beese

Norristown -- There is one major reason that Cosmo DiLiegro took the job this season as the varsity girl’s soccer coach at Harry S. Truman High School.

DiLiegro loves the game of soccer.

The high school football enthusiast that mastered his craft at Arizona State is embarking on his first campaign as the head coach of the Lady Tigers, following a five-year stint building the boys program at Conwell Egan.

"To be honest, I was nervous at first," said DiLiegro, when asked of the adjustment from the boy’s game. "I didn’t know how the girls would approach the game and what we were trying do. Actually, it has been amazing the girls are actually much more serious about the game."

On Monday, the Tigers got serious to the tune of scoring twice in the final eight minutes of a non-league battle with Suburban One league foe Norristown, after working all game to get the ball past the outstanding goaltender for the Eagles.

"It felt great to score," said senior defensive stand out Lindsay Ziegler, who got the game’s first tally with 8:07 left in regulation. "I love playing defense because we play in a league that has some seriously talented forwards. I love racing them back to get to the ball first, it’s challenging but the part of the game I love most."

Ziegler tickling of the twine to post the Tigers to a 1-nill lead was followed up by the exploits of freshman Heather Beese as she took a feed from senior Teresa Landrum and blasted into the corner of the net for the second goal of the tile for the visitors.

"The team has been great," said Beese, following her first career varsity goal. "The seniors have really been encouraging all year so far and we all cheer for each other and try to keep up the emotion as we play."

As the senior core of players including co-captains Landrum, Britnee Prescavage, Nicole Immordino and Amber Champey (who is recuperating from a knee injury) along with Vilde Johnson, Kaylin Barry, Jenn Benoit and Ziegler will be counted on heavily for leadership as the Tigers are starting four freshman as they take the field.

"It is driving me crazy not being able to play," Champey said. "I come everyday to practice and try to do what ever I can to help the team, but I would love to be out there running in my senior year, it has been brutal. I love how well we are playing together as a team and coach DiLiegro’s energy is unbelievable, it should be a good season."

The Tigers improved to 1-2 on the young season as they rebounded from set backs at the hands of Bristol and Council Rock South and will get into the thick of the Suburban One National division season when they battle Council Rock North on Tuesday. 

"I have been amazed at the girls and their level of commitment," added an animated DiLiegro. "They are all working so hard every day to improve their game. The boys would lose a game or play poorly and it was like, 'Oh well on to the next game.' I hear these girls talking about the games at school during the day. Their expectations of themselves are even higher than what I have set. It has been something special so far."