Eagles, Knights Expected To Be Soccer Powerhouses
Last year Frontier League girls soccer teams from East Valley and West Valley had a combined record of 15-2-5.
The Knights shared first place with Deer Park/Riverside, with the Eagles finished a point behind.
A new scoring system, awarding three points for a win instead of two will reduce the impact of ties.
It won’t alter the fact that those three teams, along with Cheney, are once again this year’s playoff favorites.
The Knights, who finished one goal away from qualifying for state, return all but five players from that team.
“I think we’ll be in the hunt again,” said EV coach Bill Wright.
West Valley, with 12 seniors on the roster, has tremendous experience.
“They could be real tough,” said WV coach Dirk Linton. “It depends on how hard they compete.”
Injuries EV’s main obstacle
Injuries to important contributors have been the Knight bugaboo for two years.
Midfielder Kristina Manchester was injured prior to last season and wasn’t as effective as she may have been, but still scored five goals and made all-league.
This year it is defender Elisha Stickel who underwent knee surgery.
“She’ll be out until halfway through the season and, again, how strong is she going to be?” said Wright. “We really need her.”
The team’s leading scorer, Alishia Smith has transferred to Central Valley.
Among key returnees are sophomore all-leaguer Malea Schumacher, senior midfield-forward Renee Volland, all-league defensive sweeper Annette Thomas and all-league goalkeeper Anita Heaton.
Other experienced varsity players are senior midfielder Michelle Farren, sophomore forward Sheila Hansen, junior defender Kim Sullivan, senior forward Thuy Huynh, junior forward Secrett Thompson and senior defenders Laura Altmaier and Amanda Harvey.
Newcomers include sophomore Tammy Hill, junior Pam Johnson, seniors Kirsten Walz and Abby Peters in midfield. Freshmen Jessica Bowen, a midfielder-defender, and Kristen Carlson, a forward, will be in the lineup.
Ridding selves of ties that bind
If West Valley wins matches that last year ended in vexing ties, the Eagles would be champions.
A lineup featuring a dozen seniors with loads of experience should provide that opportunity.
League most valuable player Stacey Roberts returns in goal. Cindy Simpson is an all-league sweeper and Dawn Salfer an all-league forward.
Other seniors are Kiesha Sowers at stopper, fullbacks Becky Kuntz, Sarah Shawen and Angela Kallas, midfielders Sherry Shollenberger, Rhonda Barney, Nicole Stephens, Rani Johnson and forward Cheryl Nelson.
“Kuntz is very versatile,” said Linton. “She could possibly be allleague at any position.”
Junior midfielder Gabby McClintock is one of the league’s best. Brooke Simpson is back at forward. Sophomores Jessica Anderson and Leanne Walley round out the lineup.
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