Usual Suspects Look for Strong Seasons
Brooke, Park seek even more successBy JOSH STROPE
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Following is the first in a series of three articles profiling the area's boys' and girls' soccer teams for the 2008 season. The profiles were compiled from information sheets provided by each team's coach. Today's story highlights the OVAC First Division boys' and girls' squads. Second Division profiles will run Tuesday and the series will conclude Wednesday with the Third Division teams).
BOYS
Brooke
The Brooke Bruins came a game away from playing in the state tournament last season, but fell to Fairmont Senior.
Brooke lost eight starters from that squad, but third-year coach John Zumpetta isn't fretting too much.
''We will return a good group of seniors that saw a great deal of playing time last season,'' Zumpetta said. ''Our young guys are ready to step up and fill the void left by our senior class from last year.''
Leading the Bruins will be the senior class of Stevie Breen, Perry Casinelli, Sterling Adler, John Paull, and Jonathan Hood.
Junior Josh Counselman will be the starting goalkeeper for the second consecutive season. Sophomore Cody Schwertfeger will look to provide the offense at forward.
''If we stay healthy, I feel that we can have a competitive team and put together a successful season,'' Zumpetta said.
Steubenville
Always a dominant power in football and baseball, Steubenville can now add soccer to its list of successful sports.
Big Red stepped on to the OVAC scene last season by making their first appearance in the OVAC Cup final.
While Steubenville lost to Linsly, fourth-year coach Greg Bowers and Big Red have officially arrived and are a force to be reckoned with after a 14-2-3 season.
But as with any dominant team, the key to maintaining that success relies on the ability to survive graduation. This will be the season to see if Steubenville can stay among the valley's best.
''We have been forced to rebuild our entire defense and midfield,'' Bowers said. ''Our success will depend on how long it takes for the players to be comfortable in their new roles and how long it takes for our team chemistry to come together.''
One place Steubenville won't have to find someone new is in net. All-Valley first-teamer David Almeida recorded 14 shutouts last season and gave up just eight goals.
Anthony Venci is a three-year letterwinner and Big Red also returns two-year letterwinners Derek Birney, Dustin Kaine, Terrence Rainbow, and Brennan Stover. Joe Nehrbas and Stephen Rossi earned letters last season.
Wheeling Park
Eight victories, 12 losses and two ties.
It's not very often Wheeling Park posts a record like that, but the team clearly went through a rebuilding season after playing with an inexperienced bunch.
Now the Patriots have the experience and are eager to regain their place among the OVAC's elite.
''The 2008 Wheeling Park boys' team should be a strong, highly skilled team with at least eight seniors in the starting line-up,'' said Patriots coach Mario Julian, entering his eighth season on the Wheeling Park sideline. ''With the pride and desire the varsity team plays with, it should produce a very successful season.''
Zach Aderholt was the leading scorer for the Patriots in 2007 and he will look to capitalize this season after recording first-team honors from the West Virginia High School Soccer Coaches Association, the OVAC, and the All-Valley team.
Joining him will be Darryll Baynes, Matt Ceo, Dakota Cintron, George Culler, Nick Irvin, Russell Kosowski, Stephen Knight, Sam Miller, Chase Winiesdorffer, Ian Anderson, Billy Fanning, Josh Henderson, Kohlby Jebbia, A.J. Railing, and Cody Winiesdorffer.
''Our team goals are lofty with OVAC and state playoff runs as our focus,'' Julian said.
Zanesville
Zanesville won two games in 2007, but look to be much improved with 12 returning lettermen, including 10 seniors.
Returning for the Blue Devils are team Offensive Player of the Year Thomas Ring and Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player Hank Ring.
''We expect to be more competitive within the league and throughout our schedule with our senior leadership and experience.''
Cambridge
No information submitted by coach
John Marshall
GIRLS
The reigning Division I champions, the Brooke Bruins went on an impressive run under first-year coach Jerod Hall.
Hall expects nothing less from this team as expectations are high in Wellsburg.
''Our roster is comprised of a lot of experience and exciting talent,'' Hall said. ''The coaching staff and players are excited about the prospect of a very successful season.''
Molly Cline, a first-team All-Valley and All-OVAC selection, Victoria Emmerth, and Brittany DeCappio are the captains for the Bruins.
Joining them will be seniors Rachel Mazzella, Connie Fuentes, Kaitlyn Starcher, and Katie Wise, juniors Justyne Obledoble, Madison Schultz, Emily Hardsouck, and goalie Sydney Wagstaff.
Maci Hascak and Lindsay Chiodi earned letters last season as freshmen.
''Our schedule is filled with some of the best teams in the OVAC and the state of West Virginia, as well as Ohio,'' Hall said. ''We hope this will help bring an exciting season of women's soccer to the valley.''
A 6-9-4 season wasn't what John Marshall coach Cindy Lawther was hoping for. Her team battled hard and was in most games, but the record didn't show how talented the team was.
''They played well with all parts of the game except finishing,'' Lawther said.
This season, the Monarchs return an outstanding 21 lettermen, led by leading scorers Emily Yoder (nine goals) and Hanna Gossett (10 assists).
The senior class consists of goalie Kristen Hewitt, Deidre Shepard, Jamie Cutright, Allison Hall, Jennifer Nguyen, Yoder, Jessie Rutan, Melissa Eahnestock, and Renee Edgel.
Julie Young, Gossett, Haley Litman, Caleigh Chambers, Katy Daney, Danielle Zacherl, and Kaitlin White are the juniors, followed by sophomores Kiley Defibaugh, Daryn Vucelik, Anna Phillips, Allegra Gossett, and Nikki Slonaker.
''They have practiced hard and are determined to improve over last year's performance,'' said Lawther, the longest-reigning girls' soccer coach in the valley in her 13th season.
The Steubenville girls' squad is still searching for its identity in the OVAC soccer landscape and third-year coach Deanna Beall hopes this can be the season in which Big Red makes a name for themselves.
Annie Campbell, Sarah Cashdollar, Kasey Cowser, Jocelyn Pugh, and Julie Myers will provide the veteran leadership, while newcomers Megan Keenan, Emily Baird, Morgan Olmstead, and Joey Almeida will hope to be promising newcomers to the Big Red program.
Campbell missed all of last season with a knee injury and hopes to come back stronger than ever.
''We are looking forward to the season,'' Beall said. ''With the addition of our freshmen, along with the returning lettermen, we are sure to show improvement during the 2008 soccer season.''
For the fourth time in five seasons, a new coach will lead Wheeling Park as former Ohio Valley Greyhounds kicker John Wehrle takes over for Mark Hladek.
Wehrle will have plenty of expectations to live up to as the Patriots have been the cream of the crop in the OVAC, winning 11 straight OVAC Cup championships.
While Wehrle won't have the luxury of Lauren Thomas (Robert Morris) or Sarah Bizanovich (West Virginia University) this season, the Patriots are still as loaded as any team in the Ohio Valley.
Natalie Smith scored 17 goals and 15 assists to lead the Patriots in points and make her a first-team All-Valley and All-OVAC selection.
Elizabeth Kosowski can play anywhere and came up with goals at important times, including the OVAC Cup final against Linsly and the two lone goals to send the Patriots to the state tournament with a victory against Fairmont Senior.
Any goal scored against Wheeling Park will be earned as a stout defense of Caitlin Birge, Julianne Forzano, and goalkeeper Jillian Blalock should be difficult to score on.
''This being my first year with the ladies, I am not too sure what to expect,'' Wehrle said. ''I have followed the team the last couple of years and know that they have great potential, but I am still learning about my players.
''We do have a good bit of experience returning from last year's team and I hope that they are ready for that responsibility of keeping this program at the top. I am extremely excited for the season to begin so I can see where they stand. I feel that with our talent, our potential is endless.''
Zanesville has won three games in the previous two seasons, but Coach Todd Riley thinks this is the season that changes.
''We have vastly improved over the last two years,'' Riley said. ''I believe that this is the year we translate all of that hard work into winning.''
Returning for the Blue Devils are Carrie Hoobson, Bree Grasshander, Lauren McCallister, Sadie McFarland, Mackenzie Riley, Aili Shan, Rachel Oakley, Kayleigh Young, Jordan Ashby, Caitlyn Rice, Lauren Wright, and Alyssa Waite.
