H.S. GIRLS’ SOCCER / 2017 PREVIEW
ECC Division I East Lyme Coach: Rachel Redding (13th year) Key returnees: Sr. G Hayley Sorentino, Sr. D Karlie Rowe, Sr. D Isabelle Riker, Sr. D Georgia Parsons, Sr. D Kayla Markovitz, Jr. M Phoebe Provencher, So. D Angelina Venditti.
Top newcomers: Sr. Alex Chambers, Sr. Meghan McCauley, Sr. Emma Locklear, Sr. Lindsey Kollmer.
Outlook: East Lyme won the Division I and ECC tournament titles last season, winning the tournament for the fourth time in five seasons. The Vikings, however, will need to find a new source of offense, following the graduation of the ECC's single-season record-holder for goals in Stephanie deLaforcade (42), now playing at the University of Maryland. Four ECC all-stars in all graduated, however the defense remains strong in front of Sorrentino, the returning goalie and an all-conference honorable mention selection. The Vikings are 8811-4 in the last five seasons and look to continue their success. They open Saturday at home against defending Class S champion Old Lyme. Fitch
Coach: Mario Costa (1st year)
Key returnees: Sr. D Danielle Mcllquham, Sr. D Devin Waller, Jr. M Valentina Silva, Jr. D Katrina Corbeil, Jr. D Hannah Ellal, So. M Madison Lynch, So. M Nevaeh Jones, So. F Maddie Catlett, So. G Molly Bresnahan.
Top newcomers: Fr. M Ashley Spreng, Fr. F Carly Zingus, Fr. M Avery Lyon, Fr. M Kelsi Ursini, Fr. D Effie Pertropoulos, Fr. D Jessica Russo, Fr. G Francesca Foster, Fr. M Gabriella Garcia-Patel, So. F Kaylah Beauchamp, So. M Samantha Rebein, So. M Lillian Hobert.
Outlook: The Falcons list only two seniors on their roster and are looking to rebuild. Costa, however, sees a lot of individual talent, which he will look to jell as the season progresses, with hopes of qualifying for the ECC and state tournaments. Costa said Fitch will be a possession-oriented team. "So far the atmosphere in preseason has been great," the coach said. "All the girls are really motivated for what lies ahead." Ledyard
Coach: Emily Lehet (1st year) Key returnees: Sr. D Megan Larmann, Sr. G Delaney Gagnon, Sr. F Shelby Olsen, Jr. M Ally Van Volkenburg, So. D Olivia Crawford.
Top newcomers: So. G Savannah Wahrer, Fr. M Katelyn English. Outlook: Van Volkenburg at center mid and Larmann on defense, both All-ECC Division I picks, give the Colonels and Lehet, in her first season, a strong returning core. Gagnon also provides experience in goal as Ledyard looks to make a return to the postseason after winning the ECC tournament title in 2015. Norwich Free Academy Coach: Kyle Baron (1st year)
Key returnees: Sr. D Jessica Bryan, Sr. M Haley Warzecha, Jr. M Juliette Hogan, Jr. M Natalie Dionne, Jr. M Hailee Schrader, So. M Mackenzie Teper.
Top newcomers: Fr. F Kayla Park, Fr. F Cassidy White, Fr. M Jillian Brunelli, Fr. D Natalia Hogan, So. D Faith Beauchamp, So. M Abigail Tucker, So. D Lauren Cloke, Jr. M Brooke Boisclair, Jr. M Courtney Cyr, Jr. D Mackenzie Shrewsbury, Jr. D Maddy Perrino, Jr. G Allyson Knorr-Anderson, Sr. F Mary Lang, Sr. D Maria Trahan.
Outlook: The Wildcats return only three starters but Bryan and Hogan were both first team All-ECC selections who will help the newcomers acclimate to the point where Baron expects his team to make a positive run. Baron said he is looking to a "key leaders and a great core of freshmen" to make NFA competitive at the ECC and state levels. ECC Division II Montville Coach: Matt Beaupre (1st year)
Key returnees: Sr. D Jenna Banta, Sr. M Madison Beaupre, Sr. D Catherine Furman, Sr. M Emily Meigs, Sr. D Amanda Perkins, Sr. D Jessica Stronach, Jr. F Kara Beaupre, Jr. M Michaela MacCracken, Jr.
M Olivia Meehan, Jr. M Katelin price, Jr. G Lauren Ross, Jr. D/M Lauren Velazquez, So. M/D Megan Daley, So. M Alexis Delucia, So. D Lexi Peck, So. M Sydney Winakor.
Top newcomers: Fr. F/G McKinley Bond, Fr. M Ellie Bowman, Fr. M Aida Flores, Fr. M Maddie Gould, Fr. D/M Kiera MacCracken, Fr. F Alexis Meehan, Fr. D/M Jillian Murallo, Fr. F Eva Peltier.
Outlook: Beaupre takes over a team which returns 10 starters from last season, in which Montville reached the second round of the Class M state tournament for the first time in program history. A senior-laden defense fronts Ross in goal, where she has racked up 246 saves and just 42 goals against in two seasons. While leading scorer Rachel Marchini is now at UConn and last year's senior class accounted for half the team's goals, the coach sees enough talent to fill those roles on offense. Said Beaupre: "This should be an exciting season for Montville." Stonington
Coach: Dave Walsh (24th year) Key returnees: Sr. D Lainnie Connor, Sr. F Kate Hall, Sr. D Emily Novak, Sr. F Noelle Thomas, Jr. D Jessica Detwiler, Jr. D Holly
Foster, Jr. F Alex Jefson, Jr. F Kate Johnson, Jr. G Hannah Lamb, Jr. F Grace Narducci, Jr. F Emma Sabbadini, Jr. D Lucy Sternberg, So. M Emma Anderson, So. D Katie McNeil, So. M Sydney Motherway.
Top newcomers: Sr. F Kiara Daley, Fr. M Amelia Caron, Fr. D Maggie Constantine, Fr. F Megan Detwiler, Fr. G Tori Lopresto, Fr. M Rachel Sabbadini.
Outlook: Stonington will incorporate some young players into an otherwise experienced lineup, including Connor, who was a first team all-conference defender. Connor and Jessica Detwiler will serve as captains for the Bears, who will use more of an attacking formation. "As soon as we figure each other out and understand the new system, we should be able to challenge for the (Division II) title and make a good run into the states," Walsh said. Waterford
Coach: Chris Ghiglia (4th year)
Key returnees: Sr. D Jacklyn Lavoie, Sr. D Meah Zerios, Sr. G Skyler Henry, Jr. D Julia Florek, Jr. F/M Ciana Chiappone, Jr. M Julia Karlberg, Jr. M Riva Blinderman, So. F Khaylin Hatcher, So. F Claudia Blazquez, So. D Riley Mazzella.
Top newcomers: So. M Faith Cervera, So. M Rachel Nasser, So. F Anna Kovacs, So. D Virginia Juarbe, Fr. M Kendra Gregg, Fr. M Olivia Davidson, Fr. M Jackie Puccio, Fr. M Olivia Larned, Fr. G Mya Rheaume.
Outlook: With Lavoie (all-state) and Florek in the back, the Lancers are confident they will maintain a strong defense in front of Henry, who takes over in goal. What Waterford needs to do better to compete for an ECC Division II title is take better advantage of any scoring opportunities they might create, with 15 games last season decided by two goals or fewer. The Division II schedule is extremely competitive, something Ghiglia said will help the Lancers gain strength for the postseason. Division III St. Bernard Coach: Shane Clarke (4th year) Key returnees: Sr. D/F Mia Londregan, Sr. M Emily Smith, Sr. D Brooke Paradis, Sr. G Briana Beverly, Sr. M/F Alicia Crespo, Sr. M Sarah Forrester, Sr. M Angela Abraham, Sr. D Mindy Yaworski, Sr. F Trinity Rashan, Jr. D Meghan Bergeron, So. M Victoria Hannaford, So. F Caroline Codner.
Top newcomers: Jr. D Lauren Andrade, So. D/G Carly Potts, Fr. M/F Lindsay Clement, Fr. D Sophia Videll, Fr. F Olivia Massad, So. M Taina Quinones, Fr. D Hannah Turner.
Outlook: All-state and All-ECC pick Mia Londregan leads a pack of six returning starters, so the Saints have a combination of experience and newcomers who Clarke expects to contribute immediately. Said Clarke: "If we can integrate the new players into our system quickly, I expect us to challenge for the (division) and make a good run in the state tournament." Wheeler
Coach: Jim Cervini (1st year)
Key returnees: Sr. D Emma Morgan, Sr. G Kassie Startz, Sr. G Kendra Perez, Jr. D Grace Anderson, Jr. D Daniella Roy.
Top newcomers: So. D Savannah Johnson, So. D Lauren Rockwell, Fr. D Kylie Groves. Outlook: Morgan is an All-ECC selection who leads an experienced defense on what Cervini otherwise calls a "young and vibrant" team. The Lions began the season with about 10 players and will continue to build as the season goes along. Others Grasso Tech Coach: Heidi DeCosta (10th year)
Key returnees: Sr. D Cheyla Archer, Sr. D Alisa Lebron, Sr. F Morgan McNeil, Jr. M Kelly Duarte, Jr. D Hannah Vandevender.
Top newcomers: So. F Karla Hernandez, Soph. G Bailee Shinault.
Outlook: The Eagles lose their four-year starting goalkeeper in Taylor Cooley, but return a strong defensive unit, led by Archer. McNeil, Grasso's leading scorer, also returns, as do Lebron and Duarte in the midfield, helping to transition the ball forward. DeCosta expects her team to make a strong showing in the new alltech school conference, the CTC. Old Lyme Coach: Paul Gleason (6th year) Key returnees: Sr. D Maddie Zrenda, Sr. M Maddie Ouellette, Sr. M Keelin Hurtt, Jr. F Mya Johnson.
Outlook: Old Lyme (19-1-2) has two straight Class S state championships to its credit, tying for the 2015 title before beating Old Saybrook 1-0 in last year's final for the first outright title in program history. The Wildcats return the bulk of that lineup, too, including Hurtt, an all-state selection, and Johnson, who scored the game's only goal last year in a 1-0 victory over North Branford which gave Gleason's team an unprecedented fourth straight Shoreline Conference tournament championship. The Wildcats graduated all-state forward Jenna Peduzzi and center back Caleigh O'Neil, the MVP of the state championship game. Williams
Coach: Chris Emmerson (1st year)
Key returnees: Sr. M Katerina Bourganos, Sr. M Mia Taylor, Sr. F Camryn Werbinski, Sr. D Carolyn Xenelis, Jr. M Kayla Capano, Jr. F Grace Powell, Jr. D Caitlin Kressley, So. M Alexandra Day, So. F Morgan Pill, So. M Audrey Matson.
Top newcomers: Fr. F Ellie Fader, Sr. M Marie Grillo, 8th-grade G Olivia Guinan, So. D Rachel Luxton, 8th-grade D Erin Motherway, Fr. D Gabriella Seidel, So. F Sophi Salger, Fr. D Olivia Kaplan.
Outlook: Returning New England allstars Taylor, Bourganos and Matson give Williams strength up the middle and Werbinski, the top scorer a year ago, is back to anchor the offense. The returning core of players gives Emmerson the hope the team will improve on last year's record, despite the first-year coach's new system, which he said could cause "some bumps" along the way.