Gsl Teams Have Opposing Strengths

One need only to read Shakespeare to understand Central Valley soccer coach Howard Woollett’s situation.

Woollett’s lament, to paraphrase the Bard’s King Richard V, is “a forward, a forward. My kingdom for for a forward.”

The Bears are experienced on defense, but Woollett says he has been unable to unearth a willing shooter.

U-Hi’s Brandon Deyarmin doesn’t share Woollett’s problem. Indeed, the second-year Titan coach is retooling his offense because of an excess of scorers.

“They have more forwards than I’ve had in four years,” said Woollett.

One of those is transfer Holly Hyatt, CV’s second leading scorer from last year.

She joins three of the league’s more prolific scorers, senior Sara Streufert, who was third in the GSL, sophomores Casey Lektorich and Megan Black in a Titan uniform.

University made the playoffs last year and CV just missed.

They are part of a veteran league chasing post-season play.

Titans hope youth is served

Streufert, Hyatt and defender Melissa Gordon are the only seniors on a team that includes seven sophomores and four freshmen.

Young, yes, but potentially strong.

“We were young last year and did pretty well,” said Deyarmin. “Only two starters graduated. These are quality players.”

Streufert scored a dozen goals, Lektorich had eight and Black seven. Hyatt also scored eight times.

“I’ll change our formation a bit to utilize the attacking players,” said Deyarmin.

Juniors back from the league’s fourth-place finisher are Leah Brereton, Elisabeth Gay and Juliana Koehler at midfield or on defense.

Other sophomores are forward Alicia Crowe, four goals, midfielder Sara Nelson, defender Julie Schroeder and up from junior varsity, midfielders Danielle Nichols and Kaelene Parker.

Freshmen who expect to be in the lineup are forward Heather Sale, defender Megan Owen and keeper Shoni Trickel.

“She is blessed with raw talent I don’t think I’ve had,” said Deyarmin of his new keeper. “She has a bright future.”

Better conditioning and improved defense are the things University has worked toward this year. Deyarmin worked the players hard during two-a-day practices.

“Conditioning was our downfall. They were in a lot of pain last week,” said Deyarmin. “My expectations are a lot higher than last year.”

Let’s hear it for CV’s defense

The strength of Central Valley’s team is in the number of returnees and their ability to keep opposition teams from scoring.

“Every year I’m loaded with defenders,” said Woollett. Why? “I can’t answer that. Maybe it’s a mindset or maybe it’s the philosophy of coaches feeding me.”

Not that the team is entirely punchless. Senior Katie Carpenter, entering her fourth year, finished fifth in GSL scoring with 10 goals. She’s joined by a freshman, Angie Foedisch, who Woollett said is not reluctant to shoot.

“I’ve never had that,” he said.

Other CV seniors are athletic forward-midfielder Marcy MacPhee, defenders Katie Brooks, Andrea Kallas and Shanna Smith. Up from junior varsity are forward Kourtney Mostek, defender Sadie Taskilla and goalkeeper Amy Cooper.

Third-year juniors are midfielders Lindsey Shoquist, Janna Usher, Diana Gharst and Shea Donaldson.

Sophomores are defender Sydney Thompson, keeper Natasha Opsal and midfielder Courtney Phinney.

“We have enough talent out there to carry us into the playoffs, if they want to get it done,” said Woollett.

, DataTimes