2008 prep girls soccer preview

Western Valley District
E.C.Glass Hilltoppers
—OUTLOOK: This Glass team is not half-empty. In fact, it is running over, though a couple of injuries to key players, including last year’s leading scorer Stuart Craighill (knee), have left a bit of a bad taste in coach Darien McClurg’s mouth to start the season. From top to bottom, believes he has a deeper and more talented team than he’s had in a long time. “This is the biggest group we had come in,“ said McClurg, who coached many of his newcomers on a Lynchburg United Soccer U15 team last summer. “We’ve just got to find the chemistry in terms of where to use them. We’re not quite clicking on all cylinders yet.“ The Hilltoppers should contend for their fourth straight district championship, with seniors Michele Taylor, Erin Wilson, Jeanine Johnston, who’s bound for Liberty University, having played key roles in the past three. They also return senior Emily Kerns in goal, after she sat out her sophomore season with a knee injury. 
—COACH: Darien McClurg, 12th season
—2007 RECORD: 11-6-1, 6-1-1 Seminole
—TOP RETURNEES: D Erin Wilson Sr.; D Michele Taylor Sr., F Jeanine Johnston Sr.; MF Hannah Smith Jr.; MF Katelyn Milam Jr., MF Lindsay Hitchcock Jr. D Kendall Good Jr., MF Anna Greene So., MF Jen Mawn So., D Meg Kenny So., D Gina Falcone So., GK Emily Kerns Sr.
—TOP NEWCOMERS: MF Ariel Wheelock Jr., MF Ashlea Caylor Fr., D Niki Goode Fr., MF Genna Freeman Fr. (transfer from Holy Cross), F Dessi Dupuy Fr. (transfer from Holy Cross); D Katherine Agnew So.

Blue Ridge Conference

LCA Bulldogs
—OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs had 75 players turn out for soccer and formed a second JV team this spring.  They only return a few starters, including Grace Pallaria, their top scorer with 15 goals, and five assists. “It’s going to be a completely new look team for us,“ said John Caudill, who also coaches LCA’s boys team in the fall. “It’s a pretty young bunch (but) I think the outlook is good. We’re stronger at almost every position and I think we’ll score more goals this year.“ They’ll find out if they can contend for the BRC title after Saturday’s first match against perennial conference champion Eastern Mennonite.
—COACH: John Caudill, second season
—2007 RECORD: 13-6-2
—TOP RETURNEES: MF Christina Freyre Sr.; F Grace Pallaria Jr.; GK Alydia Miller Jr.; D Abbey Kappler Jr.; D Heather Dunn So.
—TOP NEWCOMERS: F/MF/D Hillary Baker Sr.; MF/F Sara Winship So.; D Katelyn Scott Sr.

VES Bishops
—OUTLOOK: VES coach Bob Leake has never coached a losing team, in either boys or girls soccer, but the Bishops may have a hard time staying above .500 against a brutal schedule that includes Highland, the reigning VIS Division I state champion, Covenant, a state semifinalist, Eastern Mennonite, the VIS Division II state champ, and E.C. Glass. So far, the Bishops are generating plenty of offense, but having trouble finishing, like in their scrimmage against Heritage, when they took 25 shots and didn’t score, while the Pioneers took three and scored one. “We’re hitting everything but the net - trees, crossbars, people, spectators,“ Leake said. “That will come. Right now, the thought is there, but the execution is not. But our defense is playing great.“ Sarah Fiorito, who has averaged nine goals a year, should get about that many assists this season setting up forwards Eliza Parrott and Allison Coleman and other wings. “Everything runs through her and she’s usually the smallest girl on the field,“ Leake said.
—COACH: Bob Leake, 11th season
—2007 RECORD: 9-5-3, 6-3-1 BRC
—TOP RETURNEES: MF Sarah Fiorito Sr.; F Allison Coleman Sr.; GK Daisy Venners Jr.; D Meg Nexsen Sr.; D Hannah Snead Jr.; F Eliza Parrott So.; MF Mia Parks Sr.; D Chelsea Giles So.; MF Allie Batchelor Sr.; MF Morgan Morrissette Jr.
—TOP NEWCOMERS: D Sidney Baker Jr.; MF Ali Donaldson Fr.; F Tori Hunter Sr.

Timberlake Christian Tornadoes 
—OUTLOOK: The Tornadoes graduated Katie Braswell, their all-time leading scorer with 48 goals, and could struggle in their last year as a member of the BRC before switching over the Virginia Association of Christian Athletics (VACA). But they feature a strong foundation of young players, starting two sophomores, three ninth-graders and four eighth-graders. “Overall, this is the best team I’ve had as far as athletic ability,“ coach Dave Sexton said.
—COACH: Dave Sexton, seventh season
—2007 RECORD: 3-12, 1-9 BRC
—TOP RETURNEES: D Brooke Good Sr.; MF Randi Wood Jr.; D Emily McGowan Jr.; GK Kaylee Bryant So.

Dogwood District

Appomattox Raiders
—OUTLOOK: After moving back to the Dogwood District, the Raiders are off and running to a 3-0 start, beating former Seminole foes Rustburg twice and Brookville, a team it lost to three times last year, 2-1. Appomattox’s only loss was Katherine Paulette, its third-leading scorer behind Rachel Webster (5 goals, 4 assists) and Brittany Weber. Through three games, the Raiders have gotten nine goals from five different players. “This is the most athletically conditioned team I’ve had in several years and we have a multiple of players with scoring capability,“ said coach Brian Robinson, noting experience is another factor in their favor with eight to nine seniors starting including the entire midfield. “We have a strong group of seniors who know it’s their last shot so they’re going to go out and give it their all. This team has played together for so long (and) it’s a very self-motivated team. They play as hard against each other as they do against their opponents. They have real strong teamwork and chemistry. You build that and it’s easy to motivate from there.“ Sheri Koenig, a three-sport athlete, is the most athletic player, Zaina Natour is the fastest and Chelsea Loy has some of the best technical skills. Allison Taylor returns from an ankle injury and Lauren Toddy, also a distance runner, is back from a back disc injury.
—COACH: Brian Robinson, fifth season
—2007 RECORD:  4-10-2, 3-10-1 Seminole
—TOP RETURNEES: MF Rachel Webster Sr.; F Chelsea Loy Jr.; MF Lauren Totty Sr.; MF Lindsey Brown Sr.; MF Sheri Koenig Jr.; F Allison Taylor Sr.; MF Dalia Natour Sr.; F Zaina Natour So.; GK Dana Therkildsen Sr.; D Tricia Evans Sr.; D Brittany Webber Sr.
—TOP NEWCOMERS: MF Ashley Dickerson Jr.; MF/F Dani Gaulden So.; F Kim Goin So.; D Christie Evans Fr.; D Sydney Duncan Jr.

Nelson County Governors
—OUTLOOK: After graduating the majority of its starters, the Governors will try to build around junior defender Erica Stowe and senior midfielder Magan Campbell, a newcomer. Last year, Phillip Kerl was Nelson’s third coach in three seasons, but he intends to stay for a while and build the program up. “We’re overmatched in a lot of our games, but that will make get us stronger,“ said Kerl, who hopes to start a travel team which has benefited the boys program. “We’ll get better. The goal’s pretty consistent, which is to try to improve. Improve your skills individually, and improve as a team.“
—COACH: Philip Kerl, second season
—TOP RETURNEES: D Erica Stowe, Jr.; GK Danyelle Phillips So.; F Kestrel Kerl So.; MF Fiona Jones So.
—TOP NEWCOMERS: MF Megan Campbell Sr.; D Kate Collins Jr.

Seminole District

Amherst Lancers
—OUTLOOK: Loaded with 13 seniors, including several who play year-round including indoor over the winter, the Lancers are primed to improve on last year’s performance. They opened their season with a win over rival Nelson County. “All of my girls are really strong and give so much to the team,” coach Ronda Heeman said. “I feel we’re going to do really good this year. Their ball-control skills are a lot better (though) their passing still needs to be a little bit tweaked.” Team speed works to Amherst’s advantage, especially playing on their home turf. “We have quite a few players who are very quick,” Heeman said. “Playing on the turf definitely is a faster game.” Forward Brielle Ferguson was the team’s top scorer last year with 10 goals. Ashleigh Foor is a mainstay in the midfield.  “She is a smart player on the field who knows where to be at the right time, defensively or offensively,” Heeman said. 
—COACH: Ronda Heeman, third season
—2007 RECORD: 4-11, 4-10 Seminole
—TOP RETURNEES: D Jessica Combs Sr.; MF Ashleigh Foor Sr.; F Lauren Lee Sr.; F Brielle Ferguson Sr.; GK Autumn McKinney Jr.; D Michelle Meade Sr.; D Lauren Bryan Sr.   
—TOP NEWCOMERS: D Marlene Kuth Sr. (exchange student from Germany)

Brookville Bees
—OUTLOOK: After finishing runner-up to Jefferson Forest last year, Brookville coach Webster Leith can only hope for that high a finish this spring. “Everybody’s going to have a tough game against Jefferson Forest,” he said. But the Bees graduated 13 seniors from last year’s team.  “It’s definitely a rebuilding year,” Leith said. Brookville has a solid anchor to build around, senior central midfielder Nichole Smith, the district player of the year last spring who scored 30 goals. “With our senior leadership, we will concentrate on getting the younger players the ball,” Leith said.  He said Smith, who “can sometimes be unselfish to a fault,” has already found offensive support from sophomore call-up Claire Hayden, who ranks second to her with four goals.
—COACH: Webster Leith, seventh season
—2007 RECORD: 14-3-2, 12-2-0 Seminole
—TOP RETURNEES: MF Nichole Smith Sr.; GK Alissa Williams Jr.; D Stephanie Tordoff Sr.; D Kelcey Thurman Sr.; D/GK Danielle Montalbano Jr.; F Ashley Hicks Sr.; MF Brianna Moyer Jr.
—TOP NEWCOMERS: F Claire Hayden So.

Heritage Pioneers
—OUTLOOK: Heritage is now coached by one of its former nemeses, Amy Dalton, a midfielder for Brookville before graduating in 2003 and going on to play at Christopher Newport for one year and assisting Bees coach Webster Leith the past three. She replaces Guillermo Sarlo, who now serves as the Pioneers’ assistant boys coach.  She is excited about the talent she has to work with. This is a growing year and a rebuilding year (but) I couldn’t ask for anything better from this group of girls,” she said. “We’re working on building the program up to where it used to be, before Kim Gafford left.” Midfielder Brielle Spencer, forward Laura Rapp, the cross country and track and field star, and goalkeeper Monica Li are her captains. “Monica’s such a cool, low-key keeper, as calm as she can be,” Dalton said.  “We’re quite a bubbly little group of girls and Monica keeps us very serious and focused. Laura is definitely a team player who wants to win.”
—COACH: Amy Dalton, first season
—TOP RETURNEES: CMF Brielle Spencer Sr.; CF Laura Rapp Sr.; GK Monica Li Jr.; D Ainslee Worham Sr.; D Amanda Millington Sr.
—TOP NEWCOMERS: F Emily Silby So.; F Emily Peters So.; D Rebekah Tyree So. 

Jefferson Forest
—OUTLOOK: Blessed with tremendous depth of talent, the Cavaliers appear to be a decisive favorite to defend their district title this spring. Their front line of Brittany Gallagher, Cameron DeWitt and Taylor Duff combined for 65 goals and 37 assists last season and are joined by freshman Chelsea Hayes, who netted a hat trick against Heritage. They will shift between a 3-5-2 and a 4-4-2 this season. If Suzanne Sciarrino and Jen Steele return to full strength from injuries, they will solidify a defense led by Jaime White and Jordan May, with freshman Emilee McDaniel the designated shutout artist off the bench. Dorothy Nugent follows her older sister’s role in goal.
—COACH: Stan Golon, ninth season
—2007 RECORD: 17-4-1, 12-1-1 Seminole
—TOP RETURNEES: F Cameron DeWitt Jr.; F Taylor Duff Jr.; F Brittany Gallagher Sr.; GK Dorothy Nugent So.; D Suzanne Sciarrino Jr.; D Jen Steele Sr.; MF Shelby Petersen Jr.; MF Marlee Flynt Jr.
—TOP NEWCOMERS: F Chelsea Hayes Fr.; MF Katherine Frank Fr.; D Gracie McNally So.; MF Nikki Jannah So.; D Emilee McDaniel Fr.; MF Courtney Zongrove Fr.; F Danielle Brittigan Fr.; MF Katie Herbert So.; MF Skylar Williams So.

Liberty Minettes
—OUTLOOK: District champions in 2003 and 2006, Liberty slipped a little last spring and, after losing all but one starter on defense this year, opened with a 3-1 loss to Blue Ridge District favorite Lord Botetourt and a 4-1 loss to Staunton River. “I felt coming into the season that Staunton River would have the talent to be one of the best teams in the district and they proved that,” coach Jeff Steele said. “We’ve just seen the Seminole get harder and harder and Jefferson Forest could be a fine-tuned machine this year.” But he is confident the Minettes can come around and challenge for a Region III berth. “I wouldn’t call it a rebuilding year,” he said, noting he returns second-leading scorer Maggie Rawlings (12 goals) and top defender Cat Padgett. “Offensively, we’re fairly solid. We just have got to find our rhythm.” Molly Mansel has one of the strongest legs on the team, taking its corner kicks and free kicks.
—COACH: Jeff Steele, 12th season
—2007 RECORD: 7-6-3, 7-4-3 Seminole.
—TOP RETURNEES: F Maggie Rawlings Jr; D Cat Padgett Jr.;  MF Molly Mansel Sr. (.) CMF Rachel Asbury Sr.; CMF Danielle Shuey Sr.; F Aspen Rautio Jr. MF Sarah Hunt Sr.; F Kim Nowlin Jr.
—TOP NEWCOMERS: GK Lindsey Wilson So.; D Kara Harrison Fr.; MF Brigid Buchanan So.; D/MF Veronica Riner So.

Rustburg Red Devils
—OUTLOOK: First-year coach J.T. Wagurak, a 2003 graduate of Rustburg and 2007 graduate of Virginia Tech, is trying to lay the foundation for a program that dropped its JV team midseason last spring. “It’s like a building mode, not a rebuilding mode,” he said. “We’re strongest up top. We’ve got a lot of work to do defensively.” After assisting John Grubba on the boys team the past two years, he welcomes the opportunity to coach the girls. “They’ve got a lot of heart and they’re catching on real fast.” He is trying to get them to work on starting a counter attack. “We’re definitely being outshot right now,” he said. “We’re going to have to work twice as hard to get half as far as everybody else.”
—COACH: J.T. Wagurak, first season
—2007 RECORD: 0-15-1, 0-14 Seminole
—TOP RETURNEES: F Becca Isaacs Sr.; MF Krystal Ripley Sr.; D Rachel Thompson Jr.; GK Shelby Tyree Jr.
—TOP NEWCOMERS: MF Alex Landis Fr.; F Hannah Gage Fr.

Staunton River Golden Eagles
—OUTLOOK: Coming off the best season in school history, the Golden Eagles appear primed to soar even higher this spring.  Second-year varsity coach Kenny Young, who has seen this group of eight seniors come full circle, after coaching him as eighth graders on the JV team five years ago. “This is the year we’ve been looking forward to for a long time.” Among the seniors is center midfielder Kimmi D’Aiuto, an all-Region III pick who scored 18 goals with nine assists last spring. “She sets the tempo,” Young said. “She controls the game, controls the ball”  D’Aiuto is complemented up top by freshman Katie Brown, who scored two goals in a win over Liberty, and Courtney Dearing, who netted 11 goals.  The Golden Eagles graduated Alyssa Stevenson, now at Sweet Briar College, but promote freshman Moira Guzi. “She’s very tall, ” Young said. “We’ll go how she goes for the year. So far she’s playing very well.”
—COACH: Kenneth Young, second season
—2007 RECORD: 11-7-2, 8-4-2 Seminole
—TOP RETURNEES: CMF Kimmi D’Aiuto Sr.; MF Ashley Cassidy Sr.; MF Britain McCullough Sr.; F Courtney Dearing Jr.; D L.B. Woodford Sr.
—TOP NEWCOMERS: F Katie Brown So.; D Amy Salyer So.; GK Moira Guzi Fr.