The 2009 high school soccer season is underway, with both Analy
and El Molino varsity squads poised to improve on their showing of
a year ago.
Lady Tigers eye winning season
Analy is a good bet to move up in the ranks of Sonoma County
League teams following its solid, 7-11-2 campaign in 2008. Veteran
coach Joseph Heil is back for another go-around optimistic that his
young and talented charges will give the opposition all it can
handle.
“I think we’ll be a stronger team in terms of overall depth,”
said Heil, assisted by Brittney Briones. “I expect us to be
improved and I don’t think we’ll be an easy opponent for any team
in our league. We hope to compete for an NCS playoff berth if we
can stay healthy.”
The Lady Tigers will return all-leaguers Molly Schuster, Jamie
Lerum, goalie Keaton Wheeler and honorable mention players Deanna
Molkenbuhr and Cain Field.
Analy should also get important contributions from “super sophs”
Emily Olvera (5 goals last year as a freshman), defender Kelley
Benck, senior midfielders Natalie Wiley-Contreras and Skye Hamik,
who returns after missing much of last season injured.
Promising newcomers include; freshmen Collette Zepponi
(defender), and Riley Ping-Medvigy (midfielder). Juniors Kasey
Groth and Angela Briones will be expected to make important
contributions as well in central defense and attack.
Rounding out the varsity roster are junior forward Darcy Falvey,
sophomore midfielder Celina Henelsmith, forward/mid Jenna Nagle,
sophomore defender Ali Rudee-Graap (who played volleyball last
year). Keaton Wheeler will be backed up in goal by a very talented
freshman, Lara Ryzanych.
The Tigers will kick off the pre-season campaign this week
against St. Helena on Aug. 26 (after press time) and compete in the
annual “Eye of the Tiger” Tournament in Arcata this weekend.
Analy won’t have to wait long to assess its chances in the tough
SCL, with their first three games at Petaluma (Sept. 10), home
against defending NCS champion Casa Grande (Sept. 15), and on the
road at Windsor (Sept. 17). The ladies will follow a
Tuesday-Thursday schedule in league.
Lions looking to climb ladder
El Molino may have lost eight starters to graduation last year,
but are hopeful of bettering last season’s 4-12 mark.
Julius Ujeh returns for his second year at the helm and despite
a relatively young team, the ever-enthusiastic coach is already
looking ahead to an exciting campaign.
“This season is going to be a positive one for us,” said Ujeh,
aided by El Mo alum and assistant coach Hilary Sparkes, along with
JV Coach John Avalon. “We lost a huge set of seniors last year but
we do have several returning players. It’s great that I’m back for
the second year, fulfilling my promise to the girls and school that
I want to build a successful soccer program,” he added.
The keys to El Mo success will lie in its outstanding senior
leadership from team captains; athletic defender/midfielder
Savannah North and solid goalie Analisa Aberige-Speicher.
Other key returnees include: seniors Andrea Bardella, Sarah
Scott, Molly Nagle, Laura Paneno, Stephanie Singlar, Jene Palmer,
Carina Wandel, Andrea Quintero, Shallyn Farris, Taelar-Rae Gemini,
Shayna Levine, and Kerri Rampone.
First-year varsity players that figure to make a big impact are
sophomore Megan Nonella, and talented freshmen Sarah Clemens,
Kristine Barbaria, and Isabella Ruiz.
