Nationally Ranked Solon Girls' Soccer Bounces Around Parma, 7-0

Solon girls’ soccer player Natalia Kontul jokingly asked coach David FitzGerald if her braid looked OK just before tipoff against Parma. FitzGerald had her spin around and confirm it was fine.

Kontul’s charming request reflected the ease and comfort the Comets felt on Wednesday night, not to mention for most of this young season, as they bounced around another foe with host Parma serving as the latest foil in a 7-0 win at Byers Field.

Nationally ranked and climbing only higher, Solon’s bubbly and giggly disposition seemingly masked a deadly efficient offense and an impenetrable defense that didn’t yield a shot on goal for the game. If Solon goalie Kristen Confroy was bored, she wasn’t letting on.

Junior Hannah Schippers had three goals and freshman Emily Russell had two, leaving room for senior Jordan Spiegle and sophomore Maddie Kresevic on the final tally for the Comets (5-0-1) who are now ranked 15th in the ESPNHS Powerade Fab 50. Parma fell to 0-4-1.

Between halves, the entire team led its supportive partisan crowd in rhythmic cheers. While only a small band of loyalists made the jaunt over to Parma, the Solon faithful more than made up for its size.

To coach FitzGerald, the whole complement of team and fans have quite a character.

“They’re nuts,” FitzGerald said of his team. “They’re good kids. They’re fun to be around.”

Then another boisterous cheer flew in from the stands, and FitzGerald turned in their direction and remarked: “They’re goofy, too.”

Schippers certainly enjoys the team’s atmosphere, as it inspired her to her best scoring performance of the season. Schippers said she usually averages a goal and an assist per game.

“It’s so fun. All of us get along great. There’s no drama or girl drama or anything. There’s no cliques or anything,” Schippers said. “We all wear like crazy outfits to school. Like today, we wore any sports jersey. Some wore lacrosse jerseys. We all just get along great and it’s just awesome.”

By virtue of a 0-0 draw against nationally recognized power Walsh Jesuit earlier this season, the team gained broader notoriety around the country. Schippers doesn’t feel the pressure of such a lofty ranking. In fact, she sees it as inspirational.

“It’s awesome. It’s motivated all of us so much. We come to practice excited and ready to practice. I think the national ranking is good for our confidence. We keep saying we’re state bound. So hopefully that will come true for us,” Schippers said.

FitzGerald pulled Schippers after scoring her third goal of the game at 34:54 of the second half because it’s his policy not to let any player score above three goals. The coach doesn’t want to show up other teams who might not have his team’s prowess.

“I just don’t want to rub it in because what goes around comes around,” FitzGerald said. “They’re having fun, but they don’t say anything bad about the other team. They joke around with each other when they fall and slip on the turf. I think they’re just a great bunch of girls.”

The Comets travel to Hudson on Saturday for a 2 p.m. start.