North Idaho Independent

In predicted order of finish:

1. Coeur d’Alene Vikings

1994 record: 5-3 league, 6-8-2 overall

Coach: David Tabakman

Top returners: Erin Murphy, sr., mf; Gretchen Hammarberg, sr., mf; Rachel StormoGipson, sophomore, gk; Britta Anderson, junior, mf; Teah Beckman, soph., mf; Kara Kovatch, soph., mf; Nikki Richards, jr., f.; Lindsey Mattison, soph., defense; Kelly Garasky, soph., d.

Key newcomers: Cassie Gatten, freshman, g; Angela Hughes, fr., mf; Jaime Jerde, fr., mf; Katlyn Smith, fr., sw.

Headers: Fifteen Vikings are returners, but injuries sideline four veterans. StormoGipson suffered a bad ankle sprain and will be lost indefinitely. Midfielder Andrea Wilkey is gone for the year to knee surgery.

Coach’s comment: “Our strengths are at the midfield, at forward positions and hopefully our defense. If our defense plays well, we’ll be fine. But, our defense is young - three sophomores, a senior, a freshman defender and freshman goalie, sophomore stopper.”

Outlook: The Vikings possess good forward speed with the tireless Murphy at the helm. Anderson, Kovatch and Beckman solidify the middle. “Their concentration is better. We don’t know about confidence until we play.”

2. Lake City Timberwolves

1994 record: 8-0 first NIISL, 15-3-1, third at State A-1 tournament.

Coach: Jim Facciano, first year

Top returners: Kristi Jacobson, sr., f; Callie Meyer, sr., mf; Chanda Roane, sr., f-mf; Julie Johnson, sr., mf; Jeanne Russell, soph., gk; Glenna Ryan, sr., sw.; Kelly Rolland, sr., outside mf; Colleen Ryan, jr., outside mf; Erika Olson, soph., sw.

Key newcomers: Alison Chisholm, soph., outside mf; Michelle Weger, soph., fb; Ellen Weger, jr., fb; Katie Brunn, soph., f.

Headers: There is no way to replace graduated Jennifer Kerns, but Michelle Weger is a start. “She is the brightest star on the horizon,” Facciano said. “She should be a power for a while.”

Coach’s comment: “The level of soccer that I get to (coach) now is different than I’ve done before,” said Facciano, a longtime boys’ club team coach. “I’ve always had the ideas, now I’ve got some real athletes. They’ve been just pure joy.”

Outlook: There is no substitute for experience, which the return of Glenna Ryan, a former all-stater, and Roane gives the Timberwolves. Knee injuries cost both the 1994 season.

3. Sandpoint Bulldogs

1994 record: 3-3, 9-9

Coach: John Ferguson

Top returners: Chrissy Russell, sr., hb; Rachel Warren, sr., fb; Jenny Wells, jr., hb; Kelly Bowser, sr., hb; Katie Lyster, jr., gk; Harmony Libby, sr., fb; Elisa Scherb, jr., rw.

Key newcomers: Amber Mooney, sr., f; Maria Montague, soph., g; Melissa Kingsland, freshman, s; Rebecca Reifsnyder, fr., fb; Lindsey Larson, fr., hb.

Headers: The Bulldogs will play night games against Coeur d’Alene and Lake City at Memorial Field. “Last year was the first time they ever played under the lights in Memorial. It was a great thrill for them.”

Coach’s comment: “I think we’re going to have some good speed. We’re working on our aggressive attitude. We were a little bit passive last year.”

Outlook:Sandpoint returns a solid nucleus, led by Russell. Many of the 17 players attended camps. A trio of freshmen made the varsity cut and should impact the team, Ferguson added.

4. Moscow Bears

1994 record: 0-6, 4-6

Coach: Mike Davidson

Top returners: Erica Mays, soph., f; Laura Mara, sr., mf; Laura Minnich, soph., mf; Holly Davidson, soph., mf; Sabrina Delgado, sr., d; Ellie Graham, soph., mf.

Key newcomers: Sarah Meyer, fr., sw; Heather Martinson, Jr., gk; Mariah Talbot, fr., gk; Sarah Harris, fr., d

Headers: Davidson helped start girls’ club soccer in Moscow three years ago. Since then, his age division teams have competed against other North Idaho teams.

Coach’s comment: “I’m not really sure I feel qualified to be coaching these girls. They’re that good. Mays is probably one of the top players in the state.”

Outlook: Davidson wants the Bears to make the transition from run-and-shoot-type to possession soccer. Meyer is already making Moscow a better defensive team. “She’s very aggressive. She could also play midfield. I wish I could clone her.”

5. Lewiston Bengals

1994 record: None, first-year program

Coach: Garry Bush

Key newcomers: Brooke Cushman, jr., gk; Becky Roberts, jr., sw; Alison Roberts, jr., mid hb-f; Carmen Zobel, fr., c-hb; Bryn Devlin, fr., w; Randi Katzenberger, fr., w.

Headers: The underclassmen, including five freshmen, will push the ball for the Bengals. “Basically, they’re the ones that have been in a soccer program most recently,” Bush said. “They have the skills. This is a building program.”

Coach’s comment: Twenty-nine players tried out for 22 positions. Just one is a senior.”It’s going to be a real team effort. We’re platooning to gain experience.”

Outlook: Will only get better as season progresses. Cushman, a basketball player turned goalkeeper, surprised Bush in a scrimmage against a community team. “She’s got a good pair of hands. (Wednesday) she was taking some shots.”

6. Bonners Ferry Badgers

1994 record: 0-4, 0-4

Coach: John Lindberg

Top returners: Danielle Ripatti, soph., mf; Katie Mormon, jr., d; Corinna Funkhauser, sr., d.

Key newcomers: Jamie Steinhorst, jr., mf; Heather Parsons, jr., mf; Stephanie Merrifield, jr, gk; Lynsie Figgins, soph., mf; Sara Tuma, soph., d; Katie Studer, fr., line.

Headers: Just 13 players are out, but that’s up from the 10 the Badgers started the season with last year.

Coach’s comment: “I find myself the last couple of years working with four to five seniors who came out for one year, then they’re gone.”

Outlook: Program is in its third year, but only second in varsity play. “The girls cohesiveness, which will go a long ways when you don’t necessary have the background of talent or experience,” will be the Badgers’ strength, Lindberg said.

7. Lakeland Hawks

1994 record:None, first-year program

Coach: Peter Haws

Key newcomers: Heather Goosey, sr., f; Danielle Adickes, sr., gk; Nikki Schaffer, jr., gk; Cara Barnes, fr., f.

Headers: Haws is new to coaching soccer, although he has coached high school coed water polo.

Coach’s comment: “We have some players with some experience and others with no previous experience, but they’re all good athletes. We’ve got some good aggressive players. They’re very unified.”

Outlook: Kept all 25 players who turned out, but competition steps up from the club level. May overwhelm the Hawks early. , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH 1. Chrissy Russell, senior, halfback, Sandpoint. 2. Callie Meyer, senior, senior, midfielder, Lake City. 3. Erin Murphy, senior, midfielder, Coeur d’Alene. 4. Erica Mays, sophomore, forward, Moscow. 5. Kristi Jacobson, senior, forward, Lake City.