Wheaton's Record Against All Opponents Since 1995
Wheaton's Record Against All Opponents Since 1995
History of the Wheaton Wings
The Wings were started by Gail Stotler in the Spring of 1993. Seven of the team's original roster of 15 are still members of the squad. Those members are Mijo Cavallaro, Laura Franek, Erin Martin, Sarah McKenzie, Eileen Murray, Katie Palisoul and Kim Stotler. Juan Araya has also remained with the team since their inception. The team was entered into the Washington Area Girls Soccer League's Fourth Division.
The team added two players to the mix in the Fall of 1993, including Anna Wasserstrom, and had their first taste of success by winning the Division Championship.
The next two seasons were tough in Division III as the team went 3-1-6 in the Spring of 1994 and 2-0-8 in the Fall 1994 season. Christy Mulshine joined the team in the Spring of 1994, while the Fall of 1994 saw the addition of Kim Cooper and Ariel Dean. The team fell back into Division IV that Fall season.
Diana Rusk joined the squad in Spring of 1995 as did Jeff Parker. The team started slowly dropping their first two games, but rebounded to finish fourth, posting shutouts in their last six contests. The team also won its first tournament title as the team captured the first MSI Summer Classic crown following the season.
Fall of 1995 saw the addition of Yemi Abayomi and a runners-up finish in the preseason Fairfax Police Tournament. The team battled at the top of the league all season, only to fall in a heartbreaking final contest by a 1-0 score to the Divisional Champion Vista Shooting Stars. Reward came later as the team was promoted back to Division III.
The Spring of 1996 promised bigger and better things as newcomers Deborah Wiesenfelder and Katie Wotring joined the squad as did Abby George. The Wings opened with two big wins, including a 7-0 victory over old rival Vista. Wheaton would win six of their nine contests and lose just once in their first season in Division III, good enough for runners-up honors.
The team entered two European Tournaments in the Summer of 1996, the Helsinki Cup and Gothia Cup, and represented the United States with class and honor. The team bowed out in the quarterfinals of the B Flight of the Gothia Cup Tournament on penalties, but now have the experience of competing and doing well at a major tournament. Awaiting the team's arrival home was news of their second-straight promotion with the team preparing to take on WAGS Division II.
The Fall 1996 began with the team's roster being increased to the maximum of 18 with the additions of Abbe Franchot and Ameyali Ramos. Mark Gower filled in when possible with the goalkeepers for Abby George. The preseason started well with the Wings winning the championship at the F.P.Y.C. Tournament of Champions. Wheaton then went on to a 7-1-1 Division II season, defeating then-undefeated Frederick 2-1 in the league finale to finish second. The team then won the Bethesda Tournament with four-consecutive victories including a memorable 4-2 comeback victory in the final. Wheaton won both its preseason and postseason tournaments by defeating then-Division I teams in the Tournament finals by a combined score of 9-3 and finished the fall with a combined record of 16-1-1, with 66 goals for, 21 against.
The Spring of 1997 will mark the team's first in WAGS Division I and another upgraded tournament line-up. The Wings inked Lindsay Daughters after preseason tryouts and are scheduled to take part in the Maryland State Cup in Poolesville in April, the Potomac Memorial Day Tournament in May and Denver's (Colo.) International Friendship Cup in June and July.
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