The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Oneida, Camden prepare for new season
Previews for Oneida, Camden, Canastota, Chittenango, Stockbridge Valley and Morrisville-Eaton
In 2017, the Oneida girls soccer program captured its first Tri-Valley Pioneer title, set a 17- year high-mark in terms of wins with 12, and advanced to the Section III Class B quarterfinals.
One of the few teams with a game already under its belt - a 5-1 win over Phoenix at the Chittenango Tournament on Wednesday - Oneida will look to build off its historic 2017 campaign as it competes with the likes of Vernon-Verona-Sherrill, Central Valley Academy, Utica Notre Dame, andCamden for TVLPioneer division supremacy. Scott Fallon’s side has the talent to continue the program’s momentumas Oneida returns a slew of all-star talent.
2017 TVL Pioneer Division Player of the Year Rachel DeRuby is back as the lynch-pin of Oneida’s attack. First-teamall-star forward Kayla Suppa, midfielder Nicole Smith, and midfielder Sarah Paul all return for their senior seasons, as do honorable mention recipients Sophia Sanchez and Kyra
Shlotzhauer.
Fallon expects newcomers Nancy Chambers, Jamison Jones, and Elizabeth Roberts to contribute in 2018 as Oneida looks to “challenge for the league title and qualify for sectionals.”
Following a difficult 2-13-1 season in 2017, Camden is looking to get back in the TVL mix this season with first-year varsity coach Ryan Dust. The Blue Devils return nine starters from last year, including goalkeeper Hannah Hughes, midfielders Aislynn Rose and Emma Hilts, and Cinnamon Kahler, who will move to the back line to help shore up the Camden defense. Newcomers Jenna VanAllen and Amelia Ouellette will be tasked with providing pressure up front, while Molly Dunfield is expected to strengthen the midfield.
“Our goals are to win the TVL and make sectionals,” Dust said. “I believe this is all possible with the talent, depth, and versatility of all my players.”
In the Center State Conference Division I, Canastota returns a bevy of players for the 2018 season. The Raiders have a pair of standout seniors back for the 2018 season. Forward McKenzie Leahy, a 2017 First-Team all-star, and midfielder MacKenzie Mitchell, named to the 2017 Honorable Mention team, will give Canastota a dependable senior duo to anchor the side for the 2018 season under the guidance of new coach Bob Mengucci. In addition to Mitchell and Leahy, the Raiders bring back 17 players with 2017 experience as they seek a 2018 sectional appearance.
In western Madison County, Chittenango will embark on another Onondaga High School Liberty American campaign following a sectional appearance in 2017. Junior midfielder Sarah Martin returns for head coach Kassie Klein’s Bears off a 2017 season in which she was named to the Section III Class B AllStar team. Goalkeeper Ava Dardaris and Ally Shoemaker, two more Chittenango underclassmen to draw all-star recognition a season ago, also return for the Bears.
Stockbridge Valley opens its 2018 season with 17-year head coach Mark Kiser at the helm of the program. Haylee Eaton, a four-year varsity defender, and thirdyear freshman forward Jillian Jacobs, a pair of CCL First-Team all-stars, are back for the Cougars. Madison Pearsall and Madeline Cross, a pair of four-year defenders, will help anchor Stockbridge Valley’s back line, while Kelly Green and Elizabeth Wagner, juniors in 2018, and senior Barb Guinto will roam the midfield.
“Look to make the postseason and compete for that league title,” Kiser said of his goals for the team, acknowledging Cincinnatus as the cream of the CCL crop. “Give Cinci’ a run for their money if we can.”
To vie with the likes of Cincinnatus and Madison, Kiser is hoping for big things out of 8th grader Abby Reed, a forward or midfielder, in 2018. Sophomore Mark a lynn Eaton and Camdyn Cross, the Cougars new goalkeeper, are also names to keep an eye on in Stockbridge Valley.
The Morrisville-EatonWarriors raced their way to the Class D quarterfinals a season ago before falling to powerhouse Poland. Morrisville-Eaton is another team that lost talent to graduation in June with eight seniors moving on, but Duane LeBlanc’s side will look for another strong campaign fromgoalkeeper Lauren Rodriguez, who was named to the Center State Conference Division III First-Team AllStar team last season as a freshman. Kirsten Grawbo and Kendra Waltz are back in black after receiving 2017 honorable mention bids, as are Madison Rodriguez and Emily McCann.
“We may be young in some areas, but really talented,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc expects Brynn Bikowski to take another step forward for the Warriors this year. Elizabeth Marsella, Ariana Hilliard, and Amy Jacobs are also names to keep an eye on as Warriors return to CSC-IV play.
“We’re in a very competitive league. There could be four state-ranked teams in this league and we plan on being extremely competitive. I look forward to playing them all. At the end, we’ll see how we fare. I think we are able to compete in that league. Where we finish is up to my team.”