Plano East’s Nicol Romero dribbles the ball around a Wylie East player last Saturday. Photo by Oladipo Awowale / C&S Media
By David Wolman
As the Plano East girls soccer team begins another season on the pitch, the Lady Panthers are hopeful to build on last season’s success, one that saw them make the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
C&S Media will preview Plano East, including a team outlook, key returners and newcomers expected to make a significant impact.
Plano East
Head coach: Cristy Cooley
Last season: 12-7-2 (lost to Coppell, bi-district)
A team-first mentality carried the Lady Panthers to their first playoff appearance in 15 years last season, and Cooley has seen that same selflessness carry over to this year’s squad.
Plano East must replace significant production lost to graduation, particularly on the offensive end. Peyton Cooper, now a freshman at UCLA and last season’s District 6-6A Offensive Player of the Year, along with Jayla Silverio, accounted for the bulk of the team’s scoring.
Junior Lauren Delapaz has stepped up offensively, as has senior midfielder Sydney Reichert. Sophomore Aliya Jacob was the team’s leading scorer through five games last season before an ACL injury ended her year. Sophomore Bella Patzkowski is also expected to make an impact after recovering from a leg injury suffered while playing for her club team.
The Lady Panthers return experience on defense with seniors Sofia Tepechin and Brianna Malczewski, while sophomores Mia Heredia, Madison Reichert and Lila Hays are ready to step into larger roles. Senior Maheera Dali returns at midfielder.
Plano East also boasts one of the top goalkeepers in the area in senior Alexa Perreira, who earned Texas Association of Soccer Coaches all-region second-team honors last season.