 One of the key returning players for San Clemente is Frannie Coxe, who helped the Tritons earn a share of the CIF-SS Division I title last season. FILE PHOTO: PAUL BERSEBACH, THE REGISTER GIRLS SOCCER AT A GLANCEAlso: |
O.C. talent pool runs deep
|
Girls soccer preview: The South Coast and Sunset leagues appear loaded.
If the early-season perception of the strength of Division I county teams manifests itself into reality, the 2008-2009 girls soccer season should provide county fans with a multitude of big games and special moments.
Six of the top eight teams in the CIF Southern Section Division I preseason poll are county squads, including five defending league champions and three of the four Division I semifinalists from last season.
South Coast League champion and defending CIF-SS Division I co-champion San Clemente begins the season ranked second in Division I behind fellow defending Division I co-champion Long Beach Wilson.
San Clemente's lineup returns senior midfielder Kelsey Wilson (All-CIF first team), senior defender Camille Berg (All-CIF second team) and junior midfielder Greer Zerboni (All-CIF second team), along with leading postseason goal scorer, sophomore forward Frannie Coxe (All-CIF third team). Tritons coach Stacey Finnerty is confident that the valuable experience that her team garnered during their late-season run will be a big asset in 2009.
"Nine of our seniors were on last year's team and they are just as hungry to win this year," Finnerty said. "In addition to experience, they also understand that it's going to take a strong work ethic."
South Coast rival Aliso Niguel allowed only three goals on the way to its CIF semifinal appearance, and with junior goalie Kathleen Messinger (All-CIF third team) and senior defender Megan Sherman (All-CIF third team) leading nine returning starters, Coach Randy Dodge said he feels his team will be part of the Division I elite this season.
"This team has great girls and chemistry," said Dodge. "I expect us to be right in the mix with some of the other top teams in Division I."
Defending co-Sunset League champion Esperanza returns nine starters from a 20-victory season from a year ago. Led by senior midfielder Kylie Bono (All-CIF first team), senior forward Courtney Garcia (All-CIF third team), and all-county senior forward and leading goal scorer Lauren Kennedy, Aztecs coach John King said his team has learned a lot from last season's playoff shortcomings
"The girls know that our work has to be better that it was a year ago," King said. "I think the team has the right mindset and is focused for this season."
Fellow Sunset League co-champion Los Alamitos will have to deal with the loss of standout All-CIF second team sophomore Shannelle Simien (torn ACL), but Griffins coach Steve Soler acknowledged that his team will be ready to adjust.
"It's hard to replace a player that can take over the game," he said. "The girls know that they will have to work extremely hard this year."
Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com
We want our site to be a place where people discuss and debate ideas that foster stronger communities. We built this for you. Please take care of it. Tolerate broad thinking, but take action against obscene or hateful material. Make it a credible and safe place worth preserving and sharing.
