Girls Soccer Preview
If this week’s preseason games are any indication, the talent and competitive fire shown by area girls’ soccer teams should make for an exciting season.
The success of the area’s youth recreation and competitive soccer programs has led to an abundance of highly skilled players spread out at area schools.
The challenge, though, remains the same. High school teams seek leadership, unity and a well-functioning system by the time the district playoffs begin.
“We have a lot of young players, but we have a lot of good players,” Cape Coral High coach Dan Gross said. “We’ll see if they can play together as a team.”
The journey begins Monday. Mariner is scheduled for a match at East Lee County.
Ida Baker travels to Gulf Coast Tuesday, while Island Coast plays at Cypress Lake and Bishop Verot hosts Charlotte.
Cape High opens Wednesday when it hosts Baker.
Baker gradually has grown into a strong program, but the Bulldogs remain in search of their first district title.
The newly aligned 4A-11 includes Baker, Cape, Mariner, North Fort Myers, Fort Myers, South Fort Myers, Riverdale, Estero, Cypress Lake and Lemon Bay.
The Bulldogs reached the regional playoffs as district runner-up for the first time in 2008 and posted a 15-5-3 mark last season before losing to Fort Myers in the district semifinals.
They return most of their team, losing only three seniors.
“We are looking forward to a wonderful season and are convinced that our program looks very promising,” said Baker coach Dave Trepkowski, who enters his fifth season.
The Bulldogs got a boost at basically every level of the team last season thanks to a massive group of talented freshmen who brought a wealth of rec and competitive experience. Even with a lot of different players contributing, the Bulldogs’ most consistent offensive threat was Christine Giles.
Now a senior, Giles played a more supporting role as a freshman and sophomore, then broke out last season with 25 goals. She showed an equal ability to pass and finish around the net.
Senior defensive leader Ali Hare, junior Kelly Fuhrmann and sophomore Payton Van Horn also return for the Bulldogs.
“The team will rely on Ali Hare and Christine Giles to be leaders on and off the field since there are only a handful of upperclassmen,” Trepkowski said.
The Mariner Tritons have been one of the area’s most consistent programs. The Tritons followed an impressive 19-2-3 record in 2008 with a 13-7-1 mark last year. Both times, though, they fell short of reaching the district championship.
Still, the younger players seem to take pride in continuing the tradition.
“The outlook for this year looks good,” Tritons’ second-year coach Beth Gedde said. “I have a lot of young talent with good skills.”
Senior forward Amanda Seny, and juniors Rebecca Smith (defense), Kelsea Whitaker (midfield) and Kaitlyn Souza (midfield) are among the Tritons’ most seasoned players.
The Cape Coral Seahawks (5-8-3) are a unique team. They lost eight seniors from last year, but still could be on the rise because of back-to-back strong freshman classes.
Gross said it should take some time, though, for the young group to come together.
One of the more notable senior departures was goalkeeper Shelby Rowe, who plays at Warner University.
The Seahawks think sophomore Amanda Kopale, an experienced club player, should help solidify the goalkeeper position.
Sophomore Vikki Reno provides speed and skill up the middle, and junior Carrie McDonald and sophomore Jamie Smith figure largely into the Seahawks’ attack.
The North Fort Myers Red Knights must replace seven seniors, including defensive stopper Katie Crosby. Junior Brianna Hawkins is being given the primary responsibility of filling that role.
Brooke Trivett (defense) and Ashley LaPierre (midfield) are two of the Knights’ four seniors.
Juniors Brianna Abatisti (goalkeeper), Rachel Perkins (midfield), and Tina Agostinelli (defensive midfielder) add experience.
The Knights have a foundation for the future with six “fantastic” freshmen, said coach Donna Agostinelli.
“I hope to see an improved season from last year – a more unified team and more wins than losses,” she said.
The Island Gators open their first varsity season after playing a JV slate last year.
The Gators compete in 3A-12 with Bishop Verot, Dunbar, Gateway Charter and LaBelle.
“I think that I have a lot of talent,” Gators’ first-year coach Tammy Bayly said. “If we play the way I think we can, we should do well.”
For being a first-year varsity team, the Gators have some balance in terms of upper and underclassmen.
Gabrielle Fernandez, Jasmin Sykes and Merlin Alvarez are the three seniors. Junior midfielder Shelby Zielinski is one of four juniors.
In an odd twist, the Gators have two defenders named Jessica Rossi, one is a junior and the other a freshman, and they’re not related.
The Bishop Verot Vikings (12-6-1) are coming off their 13th consecutive district title, and they’re loaded for another run.
Seniors include Megan Barton (midfield), Kayley Clay (midfield), Stephanie Zavada (midfield), Mary Keezel (midfield), and Stephanie Lamboy (defense).
Junior McKenna Duquette and sophomore Kady Otzko are proven scorers.
“The talent throughout the program is exceptional,” said coach Randy Zavada.
The Vikings kick off the season Tuesday at home against Charlotte.