Susquehannock keeper Sisler fills big void in net
After Ashley Stone graduated last season there were some pretty big shoes to fill in net for the Susquehannock girls’ soccer team. Then Maggie Sisler stepped in.
The Warriors new keeper has picked up where Stone left off.
The Warriors have yet to lose a game this season, and up until Saturday Sisler hadn’t surrendered a goal through her first three starts. Central York’s Lynnae Swanson and Lynsey Nicholas finally found a way to beat Sisler in a physical battle with the Warriors that ended in a 2-2 tie on Saturday morning.
Even then the Susquehannock keeper put up another strong performance.
“Maggie has done a phenomenal job,” Warriors head coach Pat Brubaker said. “She’s done a great job stepping up. The saves she’s had to make she’s made. Those were the first goals we let in this year, and one was a penalty kick and one was a great shot.
“So she’s been doing very well.”
While Sisler may not have the size that Stone had, she has the experience and coaching to play her position well. Sisler had been the junior varsity goalie the prior two seasons, and Brubaker has seen her skills improve during his time with the program, he said.
Following a talented predecessor is tough, but opening the year against talented teams like Dover, Central York and Gettysburg makes that task even more challenging. Sisler described the experience of her first few games as “crazy,” but she’s relished the opportunity to jump head first into the season.
“I would rather start strong and see what competition is out there,” Sisler said. “Kind of get myself into it, see what I’m expecting, and then it’s a good way to just jump right into it. Not have to ease in.
“I’d rather just jump right in the water.”
Sisler has had some help from a veteran group of players in front of her. The Warriors returned three defenders from last season and Sisler said that they have been a big part of her early season success.
She even went as far as to say that they have made her a better player.
“They’ve made it easier for me,” Sisler said. “Having people who know what’s going on rather than me being the one to have the most experience is cool.”
Sisler has quickly found a style that has worked for her through her first four varsity outings. She stopped a combined four shots in contests against Gettysburg and Dover, before saving five shots on Saturday against Central.
The solid performances have quickly given her defenders extra confidence, and her communication during games has been helpful for the players defending the net.
“Maggie just tells us where girls are coming from, and that really helps us see the field better,” said defender Kelsey McCullough. “It’s definitely nice having her behind us. We love her. She’s always encouraging us on and off the field.”