THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 2, 1995 TAG: 9503310213
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 110 lines
DESPITE THE GRADUATION of several key girls' soccer players in the Southeastern District, the rich keep getting richer.
Defending champion Great Bridge is still the team to beat, but Western Branch is a close second.
``They both lost some quality players,'' Churchland coach Ken Walker said. ``But they have a good stock.''
Wildcats' coach Harvey Regan, however, says that though he thinks his team is better than last year's region qualifying squad, he isn't counting anyone out.
``The other teams have improved,'' he said. ``Each has some quality players.''
But, the Wildcats have possibly the best in senior striker Lynn Wheaton. As a junior, Wheaton was a second team All-State pick. She has 48 career goals and will give the Wildcats an offensive edge in the title race.
``She's a real weapon,'' Regan said. ``No one in the district can match her.''
Bruins' coach Howard Meisel seems to have adopted the same ideas about his team, and despite a deep roster, says his team is young and inexperienced.
In fact, he says the teams to watch out for are Churchland and Deep Creek.
In a refreshing switch, Deep Creek coach Todd Revell is happy to have his team mentioned among the favorites.
``It'll be a solid year,'' Revell said. ``We could be in contention.''
Churchland's Walker also has his own ideas about finishing second.
``There's a big rivalry with us and Western Branch,'' he said. ``It'll be a battle when we face each other.''
Here's a look at Southeastern district girls soccer, team-by-team:
CHURCHLAND
Coach: Ken Walker
Top returners: Heather Fedei, halfback, Sr.; Kathy Powers, sweeper, Sr.; Laura Jenson, stopper, Sr.; Katherine Crandell, halfback, Jr.; Kate Foley, wing Jr.; Kelly Hughes, wing, Sr.
Top Newcomer: Beth Parker, halfback, Jr.
Outlook: The Truckers hope to improve on last season's third-place finish by capitalizing on their speed on the forward line. The key, however, will be how the Truckers jell and work together.
DEEP CREEK
Coach: Todd Revell
Top returners: Beth Allison, center/striker, Sr.; Staci Watson, fullback, So.; Ivy Brock, fullback, Sr.; Annie Ashley, fullback, Sr.; Tricia Bradshaw, forward, Jr.; Carrie Ford, keeper/midfielder, Jr.
Top Newcomers: Melissa Ottaviano, forward, So.; Erica Moore, keeper, Sr.; Amy Hester, fullback, Fr.
Outlook: The Hornets should have a strong defensive front and a much improved forward line. Revell expects better shot selection and ball movement to help his team compete with Western Branch for second place.
GREAT BRIDGE
Coach: Harvey Regan
Top returners: Lynn Wheaton, striker, Sr.; Stacie Coates, midfielder, Sr.; Jessie Berdick, midfielder, So.; Stephanie Yoder, defender, Sr.
Top Newcomer: Meghan Salo, defender, Fr.
Outlook: Wheaton, who has 48 career goals, was a second team all state pick and is the Wildcats most dangerous weapon. With Wheaton and a combination of players who have played travel soccer together, the Wildcats should win the district easily.
INDIAN RIVER
Coach: Maria Octavo
Top returners: Tiffany Swiney, keeper, Jr.; Liz Morgan, fullback/stopper, Jr.; Christine Johnson, centerback, Jr.; Deonna Lucas, forward, Sr.
Top Newcomers: Heather Ayers, forward, Jr.; Cecille Marcelo, fullback, So.
Outlook: The Braves are starting from scratch after losing five key players to graduation. Swiney, an all district selection, will anchor the defense in the box.
OSCAR SMITH
Coach: Andy Overton
Top returners: Tabitha Nothnagel, halfback, So.; Katie Rose, halfback, Jr.; Janine Burch, sweeper, Sr.
Top Newcomers: Katie Cramer, forward, Fr.; Jamie Burke, keeper, Fr.; Jenna Bactad, forward, Sr.
Outlook: With the addition of the newcomers, the Tigers will be able to move their game to a new dimension. Cramer will add the scoring punch and complement the Tigers stellar defensive line.
WESTERN BRANCH
Coach: Howard Meisell
Top returners: Jennifer Fitscar, midfielder, Sr.; Kendall Peaks, forward, Jr.; Carolyn Bush, midfielder, Sr.; Sara Bush, forward, So.; Lindsay Martin, fullback, Sr.; Mackenzie Martin, fullback, Sr.
Top Newcomers: Allison Holcomb, fullback, Fr.; Katherine Dalton, fullback/keeper, Fr.; Jacqie Anderson, halfback, Fr.; Emily Thomas, midfield, Fr.; Jamie Butler, midfield, Fr.; Alicia Lang, midfield, Fr.; Beth Johnson, fullback, Fr.
Outlook: The Bruins must rebuild their defense after the graduation of top keeper Holly Patterson. The young offensive line needs to score more goals for a successful season.
WILSON
Coach: Dan Lewandowski
Top newcomer: Natalie Barnes, midfielder, Jr.
Top returner: none
Outlook: Devastated by graduation, the Presidents are faced with a rebuilding year and will finish at the bottom of the pack. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Senior striker Lynn Wheaton of the Great Bridge Wildcats already has
48 career goals.
by CNB