The fall soccer campaign is in full swing for local girl’s
squads, and there are plenty of reasons for optimism in both El
Molino and Analy camps.
Tigers ready for run at league title
After several seasons of retooling, the Lady Tigers appear
poised and ready to challenge perennial powers Casa Grande,
Petaluma, and Windsor for the upper echelon of the Sonoma County
League.
The Tigers (7-0-1) have already served notice, capturing the
Piner Invitational, followed by the Eye of the Tiger Tournament in
Arcata last weekend.
Head coach Joseph Heil is back for his fifth campaign, feeling
good about his personnel, but also realistic in wondering just how
far his team can go in the brutally tough SCL.
“I’m pretty excited about this team, and I think we’re in good
shape to make a run,” said Heil, assisted by former Tiger star
Brittney Briones. “While I think Casa and Windsor will be the top
two teams in league, I expect us to compete with them and make the
NCS playoffs.”
Analy has every reason for optimism, returning a strong group of
multi-year veterans led by seniors: goalie Keaton Wheeler,
midfielder Molly Schuster, defenders Caina Field, and Kasey Groth,
mid/forward Angela Briones, and forwards Deanna Molkenbuhr, and
Darcy Falvey.
Top juniors include defender Ali Rudee Graap, midfielder Nina
Henelsmith, defender Kelly Benck, mid/forward Jenna Nagle, and
midfielder Maddy Coy.
Sophomores are defender Collette Zepponi, midfielder Riley
Ping-Medvigy, mid/defender Mia Sturr, and mid/keeper Alison
McIntyre.
Analy boasts one of the strongest groups of freshmen in the
league this year, featuring talented forward Mackenzie Boulton,
defender Rachel Hargrave, midfielder Nacala Newman, defender Haley
Louzao, and forward/mid Makenna Lujan.
“For the first time in my five years as coach, I can say that we
don’t have a weak player on the field,” noted Heil. “So far we’ve
beaten the teams we’re supposed to beat, but our test will come
when we start league.”
New coach, new look for Lady Lions
The Koos Fasel era is underway in Forestville, as the first-year
girls varsity coach takes over for veteran George Wells.
Fasel inherits a team that has found wins hard to come by in
recent years, but is hopeful that the squad will take a giant step
forward this fall.
“The El Molino varsity is a very young team this year, with only
one senior starter and only a handful of returning players,” said
Fasel. “I’m in the process of rebuilding the soccer culture at El
Mo with the help of Tomas Acuna.”
The Lions have been beset by injuries in the first couple of
weeks of pre-season, leaving the team thin on depth in the first
few games.
“Right now I have about 13 or 14 players available, and my key
player (Jene Palmer) has only been able to play at about 80-percent
due to her recurring knee injury,” said Fasel. “This season will be
a learning experience and require the utmost focus of all my
players.”
The complete El Mo varsity girl’s roster includes Bethany
Munson, Val LaForge, Carina Wandel, Delena Alvarez, Shanae
Cunningham, Hanna Bauer, Isy Ruiz, Janae Palmer, Kaya Daleiden,
Kristine Barbaria, Shayna Levine, Megan Warren, Molly Clarke, Molly
Nagle, Renee Montes, Shannon O’Donnel, Taeler-Rae, Gemini, and
Tasha Auch.
Apple game on tap this Friday
The Lady Lions (0-2-1) will host the Tigers this Friday, Sept.
10 in the first of two scheduled meetings this season. Game times
starting with the varsity are 4 and 5:30 p.m.
