When Olive Cray and Maggie Davenport found some rare flexibility in their schedules, they knew exactly how they wanted to spend it.
Both Wildwood Catholic Academy seniors are heavily involved in sports and other activities around school throughout the calendar year. But both wanted to make sure soccer season was going to be a special one.
“They are the backbone [of the team],” Wildwood Catholic girls soccer coach Bob Mannino said. “They got things organized. They came to me in May and said we want to work hard all summer to get us ready for preseason.”
The Crusaders certainly saw their hard work turn into positive results. Wildwood Catholic swept the Cape Atlantic League United Division with a 10-0 record and had a 12-2 overall record through Oct. 26.
It’s been a steady climb over the last three years. In 2022, the Crusaders went 6-7-1. They reached 10 wins in 2023 and increased their production to a dozen victories last year. This year’s team is on pace to do something even more special.
“This is probably the best season we’ve had so far in our school’s history. It’s been amazing,” Davenport said.
Davenport runs track in the spring, is a cheerleader during basketball season and is part of several clubs. Cray swims for the Crusaders in the winter, is a manager for the track and field team, and is in the drama club. Both girls are in the student council, National Honors Society, and the media and marketing club.
“There’s a lot of clubs,” said Cray, who plays in the midfield for the Crusaders. “We’re very involved. Everyone is. That’s what I love about our school.”
Davenport agreed.
“It’s a big family,” said Davenport, who is the key cog in Wildwood Catholic’s defense. “We all help and support each other. All the teachers just want the best for us. They’ll help us in any way that we can.”
It can also be a family in the literal sense. Both Davenport and Cray have younger sisters on the team. Cray also always has her dad nearby, as Joseph Cray is the school’s principal. It comes in handy when stomachs start rumbling during the school day.
“It’s great. He’s good for lunch money,” Olive Cray said with a laugh.
All kidding aside, it’s always been a team effort at Wildwood Catholic from the athletes to the coaching staff. Mannino took over as coach last year and travels more than an hour to practices and games each day from his home in Mullica Hill. He coached girls soccer for 22 years at Triton Regional High School before leading Schalick High School to its first sectional title in 2021 during a two-year stint. He hit a magnificent milestone by winning his 300th career game last season with Wildwood Catholic. He was inducted into the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
“I’ve coached some great student athletes,” Mannino said. “I had a long career come to fruition here, and it will probably be my last stop because it’s the best stop.”
The Crusaders are hoping to make this season a memorable one for Mannino and the senior class. Led by sophomore Dani Daley’s incredible scoring surge (37 goals, 22 assists through her first 14 games this season), Wildwood Catholic is certainly capable of doing something magical. And even if the goals dry up, they have a solid foundation of hard work that has spurred the great results.
“It is very gratifying that we get to see all our hard work pay off,” Cray said. “It’s just an amazing thing that’s happened, and we have a great coach.”
Like a give-and-go on the pitch, Mannino quickly passes the credit back to the team.
“I think it’s because of the student athletes involved,” he said. “They are involved in all activities at the school. They want good things to happen, and they know it’s through hard work. They are reaping the rewards of their hard work.”
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
