THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 2, 1995 TAG: 9503310248
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 31 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 141 lines
WITH THE LOSS of only one player to graduation and the addition of players from an undefeated junior varsity team, defending champion Cox is the team to beat in the Beach District.
Senior midfielder Kirsty Hale, a first team All-Tidewater selection, heads a deep, talented roster.
The Falcons also return first team All-Tidewater defender Liz Coon and second team All-Tidewater forward Robin Dwyer.
First Colonial, the league coaches' pick to finish second, has been to the state tournament five times in the past seven years, and hopes to challenge Cox for bragging rights.
``I look for Cox to be the head honcho right now,'' Patriots coach Janet Rowlands said. ``But I'm hoping we'll be in contention. I've got some players.
``We just need some time to work together. I'd like to see these young ladies keep up with the tradition. We'll see how they develop.''
Tallwood seems to have emerged as the district's darkhorse and could prove to be one of South Hampton Road's top teams.
``We're going to be much more competitive than we have been in past years,'' Lions' coach Joy King said. ``I'm planning on finishing in the top four.''
Also expected to make the cut for the Beach District tournament is Kempsville, under first year varsity coach Ed Hackett.
With eight returners, the Chiefs should be among the top teams and be the district's surprise.
Here's a look at Beach district girls soccer in the predicted order of finish:
COX
Coach: Terri Sawyer
Top returners: Kirsty Hale, midfielder, Sr.; Liz Coon, back, Sr.; Katie Kjome, midfielder, Sr.; Robin Dwyer, forward, Jr.; Katie Etter, midfielder, Jr.; Cara Reske, back, Jr.; Laura McFerrin, keeper, Jr.; Kim Iman, back, Jr.; Joanna Hale, forward, Jr.; Erin Swiander, forward, Jr.; Meredith Benson, midfielder, Jr.; Erica Webb, back, So.
Top Newcomers: Sarah Haas, back, Jr.; Stephanie Krebs, midfielder, Jr.; Katie McDonald, forward, So.; Kiernan Raffo, keeper, Fr.
Outlook: With a plethora of talented travel players, the Falcons, who lost only one player from last year's 14-2 squad, should win the district hands down.
FIRST COLONIAL
Coach: Janet Rowlands
Top returners: Catherine deGruy, forward, Jr.; Jenny Fentress, stopper, Sr.; Lisa Neely, wing/midfield, Jr.; Holly Cooper, wing/midfield, Jr.
Top Newcomers: Katie Bolcar, keeper, Jr.; Avery Willis, forward, Fr.; Jennifer Ackerman, midfielder, Fr.; Chrissy Castle, midfielder, Sr.
Outlook: The Patriots lost a lot of firepower with the graduation of Amy Rosenbaum and Stephanie Smith. It'll be up to deGruy to lead the offense while the defense is bolstered by Bolcar, who played in Europe.
KEMPSVILLE
Coach: Ed Hackett
Top returners: Amy Phelps, midfielder, Sr.; Kristin Cholewa, midfielder, Jr.; Lauren Rafal, forward, So.; Kelly Sisley, keeper, Jr.; Kelly Knapp, forward, Sr.; Johannah Thompson, sweeper, So.
Top Newcomers: Monica Frey, halfback, So.; Laura Phelps, midfielder, So.; Anne Grochmal, fullback, Jr.; Erin Duckett, halfback, Jr.
Outlook: The Chiefs have a stellar defense and forward line and should be the district's surprise.
Sisley is strong in the box and Knapp, who recently signed a letter of intent with High Point University, will add the scoring punch.
SALEM
Coach: Rudy Van Oekel
Top returners: Julie Miller, midfielder, Sr.; Kristie Neidlinger, forward, Sr.; Heidi Neidlinger, halfback, So.
Top Newcomer: Jennifer McMurtrie, sweeper, Fr.
Outlook: In his first year, Van Oekel inherits a young, but talented squad. Neidlinger has signed with Alabama. The Sun Devils, who lack experience with just four seniors, should finish in the middle of the pack.
KELLAM
Coach: Steve Schmitter
Top returners: Sheen McGloine, forward, Sr.; Amanda Mickiewicz, forward, Jr.; Kelly Burns, midfielder, Jr.; Jana O'Brien, midfielder, So.; Autumn Thompson, keeper, So.; Karen Nelson, back, Jr.; Kristin Traynor, back, Jr.
Top Newcomers: Melodie Massey, midfielder, Jr.; Olga Callazo Perez, back, So.
Outlook: All-Beach pick McGloine and co-captain Mickiewicz will take care of the scoring. The returners have played together for a few years and their experience should help the Knights to a successful season.
TALLWOOD
Coach: Joy King
Top returners: Chrissy Mister, striker, Sr.; Melissa Hancock, forward, So.; Erin Gilman, stopper, Jr.; Erin Hazlet, midfielder, Jr.
Top Newcomers: Heidi Ferguson, forward, Fr.; Amy White, midfielder, Fr.; Melanie Harris, keeper, Jr.
Outlook: The Lions are strong on the forward line and at midfield. Mister and Hancock were All-Beach picks and should help the Lions emerge as the darkhorse of the league.
GREEN RUN
Coach: Ken Bradley
Top returners: Erin Craft, keeper, Sr.; Caludia Watt, midfielder, Jr.; May Domingo, forward, Jr.; Sabrina Rooks, defender, Jr.; Chistine Stalch, defender, Jr.; Kristina Cabalo, defender, Sr.; Elena Paselio, defender, Sr.
Top Newcomers: Kelly Linkous, forward, Jr.; Jackie Quinn, midfielder, JR.
Outlook: The graduation of Whitney Cali, injuries and losing players to Ocean Lakes will make it tough for the Stallions to finish in the top four this season. Watt and Domingo will help the Stallions defensive pace.
PRINCESS ANNE
Coach: Zee Riddleback
Top returners: Coru Orem, forward, Sr.; Kristie Abretski, midfielder, Sr.; Laura Clayton, stopper, Jr.; Katie Barefoot, midfielder, So.
Top Newcomers: Leslie Allard, midfield, So.; Jen Ordonio, midfield, So.
Outlook: With the loss of only one player from last years' 1-11-1 squad, the Cavaliers should be much improved. They'll be strong at the midfield and on the forward line, with Orem providing many scoring opportunities.
BAYSIDE
Coach: Diane Johnson
Top returners: Marie Legge, keeper, Sr.; Dionne Paniza, fullback, Sr.; Adrianne Oxley, sweeper, Jr.; Crystal Pickett, fullback, Jr.; Danielle Miller, midfielder, Jr.; Angie Hebron, midfielder/forward, Jr.; Lori Whooten, sweeper/midfielder, So.
Top Newcomer: Tara Brown, forward, Fr.
Outlook: Though the Marlins lost only two players to graduation, they'll still be young with just two seniors in the lineup. Johnson will count on all district keeper Legge to boost the defense and on Hebron and Whooten to score the goals.
OCEAN LAKES
Coach: Tricia Kinney
Top Newcomers: Alison Kinsler, keeper, Fr.; Meagan Cruzer, midfielder, Fr.; Sara Cambell, forward, Fr.; Stephanie Phalen, sweeper, So.
Outlook: The Dolphins are young and inexperienced. Kinney says it'll take some time for them to come together as a unit but they have the potential to improve not just in the future but this season. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MORT FRYMAN
Laura McFerrin, a junior goalkeeper, above, and senior midfielder
Kirsty Hale, below, a first-team All-Tidewater selection, head a
deep, talented roster for Cox High, the defending district
champion.
by CNB