EV Girls Expect To Win; Wv Has Hopes
Frontier soccer
The Valley half of Frontier League girls soccer is a study in contrasts.
East Valley, last year’s third-place league finisher, is experienced. West Valley, a state qualifier last year, is virtually starting over.
“I think it’s going to take a good team to get us,” said Knight coach Bill Wright. “We have a lot coming back with experience.”
Not so the Eagles.
“We had eight four-year letter winners and 10 starters among 13 seniors,” said coach Dirk Linton of last year’s team. “It will be different this year, we’re so young.”
Nice thing about the compact four-team Frontier League is that two teams qualify for an end-of-season soccer regional with four Mid-Valley League schools.
Both have a chance to qualify for state. But against the traditionally strong Mid-Valley League there are no guarantees.
The Frontier goes from AA to 3A status and four soccer teams departed, leaving it a conference that includes East Valley, West Valley, Cheney and Clarkston.
Both the Knights and Eagles stand good chances of advancing in the playoffs given they are the highest finishing remaining teams.
Ten of the schools’ 16 matches will be non-league. League play doesn’t begin until Oct. 9 and most matches are packed between Oct. 21 and 28.
Eagles starting over
Two-time all-leaguer Gabby McClintock will scarcely recognize this year’s West Valley team.
She’s one of only three seniors back from a club that was second in league, won the playoffs and qualified for state.
Midfielder McClintock, forward Brooke Simpson and first-timer Alisha Pedey are the seniors who figure to play.
They’ll be joined primarily by sophomores and freshmen.
“We’ll start at least three freshmen, maybe more,” said Linton.
Among them are midfielder-fullback Kristie Crabtree, midfielder Jessica Huntley and forward-midfielder Erin Brumback.
Likely sophomores are Heidi Lyman, a midfielder-forward who played varsity last year, midfielder Leigh Williams, fullback Tamsyn Rickards, midfielder-fullback Shauna McMichel, goal keeper-fullback Stefani Moe and fullback Monica Anderson.
Speedy forwards Stacie Adams and Jessica Anderson are junior team members.
“What I intend is for most to play two different positions,” said Linton. “We have talent, we’ve got to put it together. The schedule helps.”
Knights return a bunch
With a goodly portion of last year’s third-place lineup returned and the addition of a strong freshman class, East Valley figures to contend.
Wright greeted a turnout of nearly 50 players and is carrying a larger varsity roster this season.
Among them are three- and four-year letter winning seniors Elisha Stickle at fullback, Anita Heaton in goal and Secrett Thompson at forward.
Veteran juniors are Annette Thomas at sweeper, Malea Schumacher, Tammy Hill and Ashley LeGrant at midfield.
“Malea can play anywhere she wants,” said Wright. “She’s a dandy.”
Sophomore Kristin Carlson, a forward and Jessica Bowen, a starting midfielder are also back.
Varsity midfielders Amy Lambert, a freshman and Katie Foster, a junior, forwards Amanda McManus, a senior, Heather Lock, a sophomore and Sheila Hansen, a junior, sophomore defender Cindy Hulett and junior goal keeper Becky Bobbitt complete the roster.
“Midfield and defense is the strength of the team,” said Wright. “We’re hoping to strengthen the forward line where we’ve been down the last year or two.”
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