Rams, Eagles, Stags Gear Up

GNL girls soccer preview

All Kevin Moon is worried about this fall is getting the Riverside Rams into the Great Northern League playoffs.

That sounds a little strange coming from Moon.

This is the coach whose team has never lost a league game. This is the coach whose team placed second in the State 2A tournament last year, third in ‘98 and won the ‘97 state title.

But this is also a coach who’s rebuilding.

Riverside lost its top two scorers from 1999 along with its goalie.

Larissa Mueller scored 121 career goals, Jamie Rizzuto passed for more than 100 assists and had nearly 100 goals. Carlee Schluter was the team’s starting goalie for three years. Rizzuto is playing for the University of Montana this fall.

Riverside also lost ‘99 GNL defensive MVP Laura Hamby, a senior who transferred to Mead.

This year the team’s motto is to learn and grow, Moon said. He said he expects seniors Kelly Ostby and Jen Svennungsen to help pick up the scoring load.

But offense won’t be the emphasis - it’s defense first.

“We’re really working hard on a team concept now that we don’t have one person who can change the pace of a game,” Moon said. “It’s going to take every single person on the field. Their game performance is going to all have to be at the same level or we’ll be in trouble.

“This will be a good test for the team and for me as a coach because we’ve always had horses pull us out of trouble.”

The Rams will receive an early-season league challenge from Lakeside. The teams face off Sept. 7. Riverside won 1-0 on a late-game goal in the playoffs last year.

Riverside opens against Shadle Park on Friday and has non-league matches with Rogers, Cheney and Lewis and Clark.

“I am not concerned if we lose every non-league game and a game or two in the GNL as long as we make playoffs,” Moon said. “We’re realistic. After we won state that was our goal again. This year, our focus is to get to the Great Northern League playoffs. We’re not concerned with winning the league, but we would like to host. Then we can get to the playoffs and do our damage.”

Lakeside will compete for title

Lakeside should be the team to challenge the Rams, along with Pullman.

The Eagles are in their third year with soccer, and the program is definitely headed in the right direction under third-year coach Yosef Afenegus, who has guided Lakeside to the playoffs the past two seasons.

And he has most of his team back from a year ago, only having lost one senior.

Junior forward Lacie Wilson led the team in scoring last season with 15 goals on her way to first-team all-league recognition. Senior defender Erika Oscarson was another first-team all-league pick. Junior midfielders Brooke Yancey and Suzanne Rieseberg were both second team selections.

Oscarson and Caryn Grubbs are the captains and Afenegus said they set a positive example on and off the field.

The Eagles’ strength is in the midfield and defense.

“If we can manage to score goals we’ll do all right,” the coach said. “Putting the easy goals away has been a struggle.”

Deer Park hopeful for future

First-year coach April Meissner replaces Lisa Collins at Deer Park.

With a new coach and many new faces on the team, Meissner said it will just take time to mesh. She said her players’ attitudes and teamwork are on the right track.

The team returns 10 letterwinners and five starters. Only five players are seniors but with nine freshmen, Meissner likes the team’s future chances.

The Stags have a solid midfield and have strong ball skills.

“My seniors have really stepped up into the leadership positions and are doing a great job of being patient and demonstrating drills and skills for the underclassmen,” Meissner said. “If we can continue to pull together, I believe we will be contending for a playoff spot.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: GNL girls soccer rosters

Deer Park

Carey Homan defender

Teresa Stragis, sr., defender

Shana Pelan, jr., forward

Amanda Proctor, jr., midfielder

Allison Roberts, soph., midfielder

Jenni Olson, soph., goalie

Jessie Lobdell, fr., midfielder

Jolynn Watson, fr., forward

Jill Watts, sr., defender

Jill Carnline, soph., midfielder

Lakeside

Nicole Hilton, sr., midfielder

Ericka Oscarson, sr., defender

Krystal Quast, sr., defender

Mandy Cresswell, sr., defender/MF

Julie Mosey, sr., midfielder

Katie Mortlock, sr., forward/MF

Caryn Grubbs, sr., defender/goalie

Jenna Giampietri, sr., forward/defender

Brooke Yancey, jr., midfielder

Suzanne Rieseberg, jr., midfielder

Lacie Wilson, jr., forward

Deja Rice, sr., forward/MF

Kember Skaggs, soph., defender/midfielder

Tasha Ross, jr., defender/goalie

Crystal Jones, soph., forward/MF

Corry Kirk, soph., defender

Yaryna Lukan, sr., midfielder

Whitney Tate, fr., midfielder

Jenna Allen, soph., defender

Riverside

Kelly Ostby, sr., forward

Danielle Renz, sr., defender

Crystal Schafer, sr., midfielder

Jen Svennungsen, sr., forward

Leah Shearer, jr., defender

Courtney Bronkhorst, sr., midfielder

Chelsey Husfloen, sr., midfielder

Lindsey Hall, sr., midfielder

Anna Bowers, jr., midfielder

Heather Gill, jr., defender

Shelly Lucas, jr., defender

Lennie Rasmuson, jr., forward

Melody Sarff, jr., midfielder

Melissa Stewart, jr., forward

Janelle Thorton, jr., defender

Renee Kapple, soph., midfielder

Jessica Wilson, soph., defender

Stephanie Matson, sr., goalie