![\"Alaina](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/STT-L-GSOCSTARS-01_e409c0.jpg\")
Alaina Scassellati, Holy Cross girls soccer<\/p>\nAlaina Scassellati, Holy Cross girls soccer<\/p>\n
Take a look at the Holy Cross girls soccer record book, and one name shows up several times \u2014 Alaina Scassellati.<\/p>\n
The Lady Crusaders goalkeeper owns school records for single-game saves (29 in 2024), single-season saves (190 in 2024) and career saves (371). She is also second with six single-season shutouts behind 2013 graduate Victoria Zawacki\u2019s eight, second with 11 career shutouts behind Zawacki\u2019s 13 and second with 170 single-season saves behind herself.<\/p>\n
Where some see individual greatness, Scassellati sees numbers that go beyond herself.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just means progress,\u201d the two-time Lackawanna League Division III coaches first-team all-star said. \u201cIt really does, because school records are not just a personal record. It\u2019s really the school. It\u2019s really the soccer team. It\u2019s awesome. We\u2019re a really good team, and I think all of that also comes from the confidence I\u2019ve gotten from this team, and definitely Coach Matt (Froncek) and all the coaches.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scassellati stressed progress before the start of her senior season, and no better word describes Holy Cross\u2019 2025 campaign. After a 7-11-1 record in 2024, the Lady Crusaders secured the program\u2019s second-most wins in a season (11) behind 2013\u2019s squad (13) and were a 4-3 loss to Old Forge away from earning a Lackawanna League Division III title. With seven returning starters and a few strong incoming freshmen, Holy Cross is favored to capture the league crown this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis team, they\u2019re awesome,\u201d Scassellati said. \u201cWe have a lot of good freshmen coming up. We have some sophomores. Our juniors, they\u2019re amazing. Our seniors, it\u2019s been amazing to play with them. I think we\u2019ve all made so much progress, especially the freshmen that have been here since JV.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Lady Crusaders\u2019 star keeper is at the forefront of that progression. Scassellati runs the defense, and compiled five shutouts last season. One of those clean sheets came in the District 2 Class 1A quarterfinals when she had eight saves and added a goal in the penalty shootout to lift the Lady Crusaders past Forest City, 0-0 (4-2 in PKs). In other key Division III wins last season, Scassellati had 14 saves and one assist in a 3-2 victory over Lakeland and 11 saves and one assist in a 2-1 win over Elk Lake.<\/p>\n
She proved equally impressive in defeat. She had 25 saves in a 3-0 loss to Western Wayne, 21 saves in a 4-0 loss to Honesdale, 21 saves in a 4-3 loss to Old Forge and 15 saves in a 4-0 loss to Montrose.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe does really high-quality training, and she\u2019s a great, great communicator,\u201d Holy Cross coach Matt Froncek said of Scassellati, who also competes in the Yardley Makefield Soccer Elite Clubs National League-Regional League. \u201cShe\u2019s like my defensive coach on the field. She constantly tells players what to watch for, what to do. It means a lot.<\/p>\n
\u201c(She also brings) a winning attitude, without question. She doesn\u2019t let the players get down and lose focus on where they\u2019re at. She keeps her attention on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scassellati started playing soccer at TNT Elite Sports Academy, and she immediately knew goalie was the position for her.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne day, my coach Tommy (Navich) said, \u2018Go in goal, Alaina,\u2019\u201d Scassellati said. \u201cAnd ever since then I\u2019ve had Dominate the 18 as my goalie trainer, I\u2019ve had Coach Tommy, (Coach Bob) Pipech, Coach Matt. I\u2019ve had a lot of influence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love how intense (the position) is. I think you\u2019ve got to look forward to that. You\u2019re definitely going to have some moments where you don\u2019t have confidence, but that\u2019s why you have your team and your coaches there. And that\u2019s why it\u2019s so great to be a part of Holy Cross, because you all have that confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also embraces her leadership role, on and off the pitch, and hopes the underclassmen eventually inspire others.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can be stressful, but it\u2019s very entertaining and it really keeps me on my toes,\u201d Scassellati said. \u201cI work at a special education daycare, so I love being a leader, I love trying to help people, but it\u2019s more than that. It\u2019s making other leaders. So our freshmen when they become seniors, I want them to be the leaders. Our captains, we have amazing captains, we\u2019re all leaders in this.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Scassellati anchors the defense, Liza Froncek pilots the offense.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have so much trust in her,\u201d Liza Froncek said. \u201cI don\u2019t get to talk to her all the way back there, but I have so much trust in her and we know how to work with each other well.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe really gets all of us to feel closer to each other, gets all of us talking with each other, makes sure all of us feel like we can go to not just her or me but everyone on the team that we\u2019re on the same wavelength as each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
A three-time first-team all-star, Liza Froncek\u2019s name also pops up plenty of times in the Holy Cross record book. Froncek is first in career goals (50) and single-game assists (5), tied for first in single-game goals (4) and single-season goals (23) and second single-season assists (11) and career assists (24). The Lady Crusaders also return second-team all-star forward Olivia Wasp.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a lot of talent coming back with returning players and the newer players on the team are bringing a lot of talent,\u201d Liza Froncek said. \u201cAll of us are really loving hanging out with each other and feeling close with each other, even though the season is only now starting. I think we have a really good shot to win the division and do really well this season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scassellati committed to King\u2019s College, where she plans to major in athletic training.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the campus. The coach is amazing, the team. It was a great experience,\u201d she said. \u201cI went to a couple ID clinics. I wanted a close environment, and King\u2019s is very close to home. I\u2019m very excited. They have a very, very intense team. It\u2019s very good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before then, she\u2019ll look to add to her numbers, but more importantly make more progress and help the Lady Crusaders claim a division title.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe definitely have very high standards, but I think we definitely could meet them,\u201d Scassellati said.<\/p>\n
New stars<\/p>\n
Fourteen of 16 players selected to The Times-Tribune 2025 All-Region Girls Soccer team graduated, with only North Pocono\u2019s Aniya Brago-Jackson and Abington Heights\u2019 Allison Stanton returning to their respective teams for their senior seasons.<\/p>\n
Among 36 Lackawanna League first-team coaches all-stars last season, 22 graduated. Brago-Jackson from Division I; Western Wayne\u2019s Maci Lazorchak, Makenzie Chearney and Delaney Kaub, Montrose\u2019s Carly Frey, Dunmore\u2019s Brenna Burrell and Mountain View\u2019s Rhys Evans from Division II; and Lakeland\u2019s Bria Hill, Natalie Rude and Leah Catanzaro, West Scranton\u2019s Angie Euceda and Jayleen Gonzalez and Holy Cross\u2019 Froncek and Scassellati from Division III return.<\/p>\n
Division I<\/p>\n
Abington Heights and Valley View, the top two teams in the division in 2025, need to reload for this season.<\/p>\n
Last season\u2019s Division I and District 2 Class 3A champions, the Lady Comets graduated Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Player of the Year and three-time Times-Tribune Player of the Year forward Lilia Calvert, All-Region players midfielder Allie Rothenberger, midfielder Hawley Lynott and defender Lauren Bartell and second-team coaches all-star defender Lindsey Bartell.<\/p>\n
They return All-Region midfielder Allison Stanton and starter Bri Bustos, a defender.<\/p>\n
The Cougars finished a game behind Abington Heights in the division last season, and graduated All-Region performers forward Mya Cesarini, midfielder Callie Gillen, defender Riley Hilling, defender Aubrey O\u2019Donnell and all-state goalkeeper Emmelia Rucks. Valley View returns three starters.<\/p>\n
Mid Valley graduated Sofia Goetter, a three-time all-state selection and United Soccer Coaches All-Region midfielder, and her sister Karina, a three-time All-Region defender. The Spartanettes return eight starters, including second-team all-star midfielder Gwen Mazur.<\/p>\n
North Pocono returns six starters, including All-Region forward Aniya Brago-Jackson and second-team all-star midfielder Zoey Suchocki. The Lady Trojans graduated second-team all-stars forward Olivia Charles, defenders Marissa Davis and Kelsey Smith and keeper Marlie DeRenzis.<\/p>\n
Scranton Prep returns seven starters, including second-team all-star midfielder Lola Palazzari.<\/p>\n
Delaware Valley returns 10 starters, and graduated second-team all-star forward Krystina Orby.<\/p>\n
Division II<\/p>\n
Lackawanna Division II will look a little different this season with Old Forge, last season\u2019s Division III champ, moving up and Wallenpaupack moving down from Division I.<\/p>\n
Western Wayne captured the league crown last season, and looks to defend its title as it returns nine starters \u2014 including first-team all-stars forward Maci Lazorchak, midfielder Makenzie Chearney and keeper Delaney Kaub and honorable mention midfielder Aliyah Gregory.<\/p>\n
The Lady \u2018Cats graduated All-Region forward Khloe Mistishin.<\/p>\n
Honesdale finished a game behind Western Wayne and graduated All-Region forward and Division II Player of the Year Vera Downey, first-team all-stars midfielders Karsyn Kromko and Ruby Martin and defender Lexi Hankins. The Lady Hornets return five starters.<\/p>\n
Montrose returns eight starters, including first-team all-star midfielder Carly Frey and honorable mention keeper MycKenna Kublo. The Lady Meteors graduated honorable mention midfielder Alanna Welsh.<\/p>\n
Dunmore returns seven starters, including first-team all-star defender Brenna Burrell and honorable mention forward Amelia Joseph.<\/p>\n
Mountain View returns nine starters, including first-team all-star defender Rhys Evans.<\/p>\n
Old Forge graduated All-Region forward and Division III Player of the Year Mia Peregrim, first-team all-star defender Juliette DeStefano and second-team all-stars forward Caroline Revello and midfielders Kate O\u2019Hearn and Lilianna Lenceski. The Lady Devils return four starters.<\/p>\n
Wallenpaupack returns nine starters, including second-team all-star defender Maeve Creamer. The Lady Buckhorns graduated second-team all-star midfielder Sarah Decker.<\/p>\n
Division III<\/p>\n
Holy Cross is the favorite in Division III with first-team all-stars midfielder Liza Froncek and keeper Alaina Scassellati and second-team all-star forward Olivia Wasp among the seven returning starters. The Lady Crusaders graduated second-team all-stars forward Sadie Pappas and defender Shelby Hartland.<\/p>\n
However, Holy Cross will face challenges.<\/p>\n
Lakeland returns seven starters, including first-team all-stars forwards Bria Hill and Natalie Rude and defender Leah Catanzaro and second-team all-star defender Olivia Beier.<\/p>\n
The Lady Chiefs graduated first-team all-star midfielder Naomi Rude.<\/p>\n
Blue Ridge returns all 11 starters from the team that advanced to the District 2 Class 1A final last season.<\/p>\n
Elk Lake graduated first-team all-stars midfielder Madisyn Casselbury and defender Celeste Clark and second-team all-star forward Kylie Shingler. The Lady Warriors return eight starters, including second-team all-stars forward Laci Ayotte and defender Courtney Kinney.<\/p>\n
West Scranton returns 10 starters, including first-team all-stars midfielder Angie Euceda and defender Jayleen Gonzalez and second-team all-star midfielder Reese Greer. The Lady Invaders graduated second-team all-star midfielder Aliyah Roman.<\/p>\n
Carbondale Area returns eight starters, and Forest City returns seven starters.<\/p>\n
Scranton moves from Division II to III this season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Alaina Scassellati, Holy Cross girls soccer Take a look at the Holy Cross girls soccer record book, and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":277091,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[305,178,180,179,726],"class_list":["post-277090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-scranton","tag-high-school-sports","tag-scranton","tag-scranton-headlines","tag-scranton-news","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277090","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=277090"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277090\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/277091"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=277090"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=277090"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=277090"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}