Led by the Pongratz and Foley sisters, Hanover High girls soccer is soaring

PLYMOUTH — The Hanover High girls soccer team is more than a team, they’re family.

In some ways, quite literally.

The high-flying Hawks (10-2-1) possess two pairs of sisters on the team that play a factor into the team's chemistry. The Foley (Sophia and Maelyn) and the Pongratz (Mia and Madison) sisters play key roles for Hanover.

“I love having sisters on the team,” said Hanover coach Mary Cullity. “This is the second time we’ve had two groups of sisters together on varsity. They get along so well. They help each other, they support each other, they push each other to get better.”

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Those two families had their fingerprints all over a 5-1 win over Plymouth South. Sophia Foley, a junior, had two tallies while her freshman sister had one. Madison Pongratz a sophomore tacked on another goal (Eva Kelliher had the other) while Mia Pongratz was in net.

When the siblings dynamic is mixed with an already close-knit group of players, it makes for a special season.

“They’re each other's best supporters and I love to see that and promote that dynamic,” said Cullity. “It helps the family dynamic for the whole group.”

Mia Pongratz is committed to continue her soccer career at Virginia Commonwealth University next fall. Plymouth South's Jillien Wenners was responsible for the lone goal she surrendered on Thursday.

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“I’d say out of all four years of my high school that this season has been the best I’ve been on,” said captain Mia Pongratz on the team's chemistry. “The team chemistry feels a lot like family. The girls are always there for each other on and off the field, in and out of school, we’re always there for each other.”

Sophia Foley, a center midfielder, scored on a penalty-kick equalizer after the Panthers jumped out to a 1-0 lead.

“It’s the most family I’ve experienced in my entire life,” said Sophia Foley. “Every single player I have a personal relationship with and I feel like everyone has that relationship. It’s just like a team of sisters. Everyone is really close.”

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It’s not just the older sisters that shine, the younger girls are making plenty of highlights of their own.

In the second half, sophomore Sophie Schiller sent a cross to Maelyn Foley, who knocked the ball in from close range to put the Hawks up 4-1.

“She’s doing great being the only freshman on the team,” said big sister Sophia. “She’s surprising me every single day. She’s getting up, getting to the ball, she’s amazing. As an older sister, she’s looking up to me but I look up to her for her hard work.”

“Maelyn Foley has been stepping up game by game. She got a nice goal today,” said Cullity.

Maddie Pongratz's goal came in the second half when she kicked a laser over the goalie's head from 20 yards out to make it 3-1 Hanover.

“Maddie Pongratz is another sister who scored a great goal,” said Cullity. “She’s very versatile. You can use her out wide, or up top, or even in the back. She plays really strong. Both those girls are younger players that have really progressed.”

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Overall, the Hawks are looking at the playoffs and seeing which aspects to their game they can improve on at this point. In the most recent power rankings, Hanover was the top seed in Division 3.

“I think it’s always good to think of the end game with playoffs,” said Cullity. “Trying to progress every game and to get better and better. Sometimes things can plateau. We just want to make sure we’re always moving forward.”

“I think we’re just looking to build off our formation,” said Sophia Foley. "We started off with a 4-4-2 and now we’re looking for a 4-3-3. As a whole we’re looking to form that formation. I think that’s a big piece of the puzzle.”

And with a team full of family, the Hawks are prepared to work on the small details in order to win the big goal.

“As a captain this year I want to make sure everyone is on the same page,” said Mia Pongratz. “We all have the same common goal. To win that title. This year it means everything for us. We’re all in it together.”

As for the Panthers, they held the lead for a short period of time, but despite the final score, they fought hard for the full 80 minutes.

“We’ve had a rough season but I feel like soccer wise we’re improving,” said Plymouth South head coach Yvonne Press. “People that understand the sport will understand we’ve improved technically. I think we put up a good fight.”

The Hawks will look to start a new winning streak in a home game against Pembroke Tuesday. The Panthers will get some rest before they head to Scituate Tuesday. 

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Hanover High girls soccer excelling behind a pair of sisters