Charter girls show fire power in win

A year ago the Marco Island Charter Middle School girls soccer team dominated, losing only in the Collier County Public Schools championship game.

The team went, 18-1. Unfortunately eight star players graduated, leaving coach Kim Burke with three eighth graders to start the season.

“I have six girls on the roster that never played before,” Burke said.

Yet the team won its sixth game, downing First Baptist Academy, 6-0, on Tuesday. For the season, they are 6-3, opening the Collier Public Schools season on at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday at Manatee Middle School.

The team has fire power as four girls creased the net, with Riley Burke kicking in three shots. One of the goals was off a corner kick from Emmanuelle Meurgue who also scored. Emily Hamilton and Rosie Poling also scored goals.

Other offensive leaders are Aubrey Smith and Hailey Karp.

Defensively, leaders are Bebe Marroquin, Sarah Hine, Ruby Olalde, Areesa Chaudhry and second-year goalie Dani Marroquin.

Other key players are Aliyah Buhler, April Cantu, Emma Fernandez, Julia Cartwright, Julia Wagner, Kelsey Halaschak, Maddy Bonfitto and Shyla Farramola.

“The team improves every game,” Burke said.