PREP GIRLS SOCCER: League-by-league overview

By GREG BALL - For the North County Times | Saturday, December 27, 2008 4:21 PM PST ∞

(In predicted order of finish)

Avocado League

1. Torrey Pines

The Falcons are the defending CIF San Diego Section Division I champions, and may have the horses to repeat. Their bigger goal, though, is to do more in the state tournament after losing in the first round last season. Torrey Pines has all of its starting defenders returning in seniors Kate Cutting (an All-CIF player last year), Caitlin Allen and Catherine Cabot. It also returns two goalies who split time last season ---- seniors Annie Heaton and Ashlee Schleiser. The Falcons' biggest uncertainty will be up front, though Katie Trees appears to be developing into one of the area's top scoring threats.

2. La Costa Canyon

Mike Marvil may be a first-year coach for the Mavericks, but that doesn't mean he's inexperienced. He coached the boys team at Uni for a number of years and expects to quickly adjust to his new job. The Mavericks didn't make the playoffs last season, and Marvil's first order of business will be to change that. He is expecting big things from UC Santa Barbara-bound junior forward Allie Arineiello, and sophomore center midfielder Mariah Butera may be the team's biggest playmaker. Senior forward/midfielder Gia Gonzalez and senior defenders Victoria Phillips and Aimee Beauchane are the team's leaders, Marvil said.

3. San Pasqual

The Eagles advanced to the section Division II semifinals last season, but graduated nine seniors from that team and move to a new league for the 2008-09 campaign. They're hoping that the experience gained by their four returning starters can lead them deep into the postseason again. They'll lean on junior forward Shawnee Morgan, senior midfielder Kendall Plant, junior sweeper Lauren Dotson and senior goalie Kelcie Livesay to lead the club. Dotson could develop into one of the top players in North County. Senior forward Rachel Clark and sophomore forwards Madison Phillips and Gabrielle Kelly will also be counted on to contribute.

4. Mission Hills

Mission Hills returns a good portion of its core from last season, and if those players can perform above expectations, the Grizzlies could vault from a middle of the pack team to a playoff contender. Sophomore defender Lieah Hamlon may be their top player, and coach Gerry Maley also expects big contributions from Abby Monroe and Maya Matsumoto, who will split time in goal. Kim Leuthe is the team's top threat up front, and sophomore Yvette Ponce is a versatile player who can fill spots at forward or in the midfield.

5. Escondido

The Cougars graduated six senior starters from last year's squad, which managed a second-place finish in league and advanced to the quarterfinals of the section Division I playoffs. One might think that would make 2008-09 a rebuilding year, but coach Hector Hernandez is fortunate to have a group of five juniors who have started for his team since their freshman seasons. The Cougars will be strong defensively, with junior Shelby Foltz anchoring the unit in front of junior keeper Janet Hernandez. Junior Ellyn Dunn is Escondido's top midfielder, and as the season progresses, she'll need to figure out who to feed the ball to up front, as the Cougars are inexperienced at forward.

6. Fallbrook

Section Division I semifinalists last season, the Warriors graduated nine seniors and have a new coach in Omar Benjoud, so could find themselves undergoing a difficult transition this winter. Fallbrook will look for Erika Sanchez to spark its offense, and Juanita Lopez, Kathlynn Reynoso and Lauren Sjursen will be called upon to lead the midfield. Taylor Welby is the Warriors' top defender, Benjoud said. Newcomers expected to contribute include defender Courtney Bode, goalkeeper April Doss, midfielders Lauren White and Victoria Vaca and forward Yazmin Rosales.



	Lady Grizzlies In The News PREP GIRLS SOCCER: League-by-league overview By GREG BALL - For the North County Times \| Saturday, December 27, 2008 4:21 PM PST ∞ Enter first comment. Increase Font Decrease Font email this story print this story (In predicted order of finish) Avocado League 1. Torrey Pines The Falcons are the defending CIF San Diego Section Division I champions, and may have the horses to repeat. Their bigger goal, though, is to do more in the state tournament after losing in the first round last season. Torrey Pines has all of its starting defenders returning in seniors Kate Cutting (an All-CIF player last year), Caitlin Allen and Catherine Cabot. It also returns two goalies who split time last season ---- seniors Annie Heaton and Ashlee Schleiser. The Falcons' biggest uncertainty will be up front, though Katie Trees appears to be developing into one of the area's top scoring threats. 2. La Costa Canyon Mike Marvil may be a first-year coach for the Mavericks, but that doesn't mean he's inexperienced. He coached the boys team at Uni for a number of years and expects to quickly adjust to his new job. The Mavericks didn't make the playoffs last season, and Marvil's first order of business will be to change that. He is expecting big things from UC Santa Barbara-bound junior forward Allie Arineiello, and sophomore center midfielder Mariah Butera may be the team's biggest playmaker. Senior forward/midfielder Gia Gonzalez and senior defenders Victoria Phillips and Aimee Beauchane are the team's leaders, Marvil said. 3. San Pasqual The Eagles advanced to the section Division II semifinals last season, but graduated nine seniors from that team and move to a new league for the 2008-09 campaign. They're hoping that the experience gained by their four returning starters can lead them deep into the postseason again. They'll lean on junior forward Shawnee Morgan, senior midfielder Kendall Plant, junior sweeper Lauren Dotson and senior goalie Kelcie Livesay to lead the club. Dotson could develop into one of the top players in North County. Senior forward Rachel Clark and sophomore forwards Madison Phillips and Gabrielle Kelly will also be counted on to contribute. 4. Mission Hills Mission Hills returns a good portion of its core from last season, and if those players can perform above expectations, the Grizzlies could vault from a middle of the pack team to a playoff contender. Sophomore defender Lieah Hamlon may be their top player, and coach Gerry Maley also expects big contributions from Abby Monroe and Maya Matsumoto, who will split time in goal. Kim Leuthe is the team's top threat up front, and sophomore Yvette Ponce is a versatile player who can fill spots at forward or in the midfield. 5. Escondido The Cougars graduated six senior starters from last year's squad, which managed a second-place finish in league and advanced to the quarterfinals of the section Division I playoffs. One might think that would make 2008-09 a rebuilding year, but coach Hector Hernandez is fortunate to have a group of five juniors who have started for his team since their freshman seasons. The Cougars will be strong defensively, with junior Shelby Foltz anchoring the unit in front of junior keeper Janet Hernandez. Junior Ellyn Dunn is Escondido's top midfielder, and as the season progresses, she'll need to figure out who to feed the ball to up front, as the Cougars are inexperienced at forward. 6. Fallbrook Section Division I semifinalists last season, the Warriors graduated nine seniors and have a new coach in Omar Benjoud, so could find themselves undergoing a difficult transition this winter. Fallbrook will look for Erika Sanchez to spark its offense, and Juanita Lopez, Kathlynn Reynoso and Lauren Sjursen will be called upon to lead the midfield. Taylor Welby is the Warriors' top defender, Benjoud said. Newcomers expected to contribute include defender Courtney Bode, goalkeeper April Doss, midfielders Lauren White and Victoria Vaca and forward Yazmin Rosales.