Girls prep soccer preview:
Houston and St. Agnes strong again, but others may challenge
By John Varlas
Monday, August 19, 2013
Girls soccer season in Tennessee gets under way on Monday and in the Memphis area -- on paper at least -- 2013 should
be one of the most wide-open years in recent memory. Houston and St. Agnes -- the area's two traditional powers -both have plenty of talent returning. But both teams lost a lot as well, possibly leaving the door open for a surprise team
to emerge. Here's a rundown of the teams to keep an eye on this year.
AAA
"Rebuilding" is simply not a word that's in Houston High's vocabulary. The goal is always the same for coach David
Wolff's squad and that's winning a state championship. Houston came close in 2012, losing in the AAA semifinals to
finish with an 18-4-2 mark, and this year's team has a chance to make it at least that far. Leading the way is Mississippi
State commitment Kelsey Pearce, who was a Best of the Preps player of the year finalist and an all-state selection last
year after leading the team with 17 goals. She'll get lots of help from junior Robyn Pennella, a steadying influence in the
midfield. Forward Gabby Little and midfielder Connie Strini should thrive with increased playing time this year, while the
defense is in good hands with goalkeeper Mary Parker Powell and defenders Caroline Heavey and Taylor White. As one
opposing coach put it, "Wolff has players like shark's teeth. Lose one and there's another one coming right in."
As always, Houston will get a strong challenge from Collierville, which will be in its second season under Drew
Hensarling. Forward Teresa Snow, who had double-digit goals as a junior last year, heads the returnees along with
forwards Karsyn Sewell and Missy Tammi, both juniors. Sophomore Lindsay Hale will do well in the midfield but the
defense feature some new faces as defenders Emily Woods and Lauren Nulph and goalkeeper Myah Huss join returning
junior defender Hannah Hillburn.
Arlington made the state tournament for the first time in school history in 2012 and returns with a new motto: "Good to
Great." In order to make that step up though, the Tigers will have to overcome the loss of perhaps their two best
players, Alyx Stafford and Amanda Ortiz, both of whom start the year on the sidelines with torn ACLs. In their absence,
coach Zeke Vezina will lean even more heavily on experienced veterans like junior forward Kylie Huey, junior defender
Katelyn Colvin and sophomore midfielder Bobbie Willis. Arlington has hopes for a trio of freshman who will contribute
immediately: powerful center-forward Erin Young, left midfielder Kylee Bright and defender Erin Yonak.
White Station won District 16 last season and was runner-up in Region 8 before a bitter loss to Arlington in the
sectionals ended its season with a 12-8-1 mark. Coach Jason Love feels his team can make that next step and advance to
the state tournament for the first time, provided it develops some depth. The starting line-up is excellent; senior
midfielder Taylor Love (the coach's daughter) is a two-time all-metro choice who scored six goals and assisted on 12
others last year. Senior Lainey Felsenthal -- another all-metro choice -- will move into midfield after playing in defense
last year and midfielder Jade Pearce returns after scoring 11 goals as a freshman. Anchoring it all is one of the area's top
goalkeepers, senior Lauren Sobral. Love also has high hopes for incoming freshman Ruthie Ivey.
Optimism is also high at Bartlett, where the Panthers will be looking to improve on last year's 14-10 record that included
district, region and sectional runner-up finishes for the second straight year. All but three starters return for first-year
coach Robby Midyett, led by center-forward Grace White and goalkeeper Anna Venkus, both sophomores. Juniors Sara
Hawkins and Kayla Doyle will provide the offense while sophomores Carly Eakin and Stella Gill anchor the back line.
Division 2
A terrific season came to an earlier-than-hoped-for end for St. Agnes in 2012. The Stars dominated the competition all
year before losing in the state quarterfinals to finish with a 16-1-1 record. Several key performers -- including Best of the
Preps player of the year Mackenze Parma -- have graduated but coach Bobby Ireland welcomes back plenty of
firepower. Senior Sissy Frank, an all-metro performer last year, will provide the scoring punch and should easily improve
on last year's five-goal total. Junior Wallis Atkinson is another veteran who will provide the key passes. The defense
should be solid, with all-metro performer Andrea Natera, a four-year starter, leading a group that also includes seniors
Maggie Edwards and Sarah Sneed. Sophomore midfielder Cora Turner leads a promising group of newcomers.
St. Agnes' main competition in D2-AA should come from Briarcrest, which ended the 2012 season with a 10-7-2 mark.
Coach Alexis Boyd Heinz returns several key contributors from that team, led by super sophomores Brittany Hatmaker
and Alyssa Neuberger. Hatmaker had 15 goals for the Saints last year while Neuberger had 14 goals and 10 assists. But
there is lots of talent in the other classes too. Michelle Turner will start in goal for the fourth straight year and should be
one of the area's top keepers, while junior defender Megan Henry will start for the third straight year. Midfielder Erin
Kalb and forward Erin Ashley Henry will also contribute.
St. George's advanced to the D2-A state semifinals last season -- ending the year with a 12-8-1 mark -- and coach Tony
Whicker's team has enough firepower to make another good run this season. Junior forward Madeline East -- an allmetro selection -- scored 16 times last season while sophomore Olivia Rooney chipped in with 13 goals. Senior Brittany
Correia -- a Best of the Preps player of the year finalist -- added 11 and 13 assists from her midfield position while
classmate Catherine Cantu also created 13 goals. The Gryphons lost both center-backs to graduation and finding suitable
replacements will be a key. Freshman Avery Whitehead could make an early contribution here, along with sophomore
Sydney Spadafora.
ECS, which lost in the sub-state round last year, is also expecting big things. Coach Jordan Thompson's team has a great
senior class, led by one of the area's top all-around athletes, Kate Jamison. The defense also has a strong veteran
presence with goalkeeper Avery Sippel, sweeper Caroline Jamison and outside back Marlowe Pugh holding down the
fort. Mary Faith Younts, another senior, will provide a lot of the scoring punch and ECS will also benefit from the
presence of a couple of newcomers, outside midfielder Kayla Long (who was injured all last season) and forward Abby
Price (a transfer from Houston High).