THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 22, 1996 TAG: 9603210153
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 133 lines
Cox, which advanced to the Group AAA state semifinals last year, should return with the most experienced girls soccer team in the Beach District. Cox returns eight starters, including AllBeach/All-Eastern Region selection Robin Dwyer and All-Tidewater pick Cara Reske.
``We're looking to return to the state tournament and try to become the first girls Beach team to win it all,'' said coach Terri Sawyer.
Cox will be challenged by Kempsville, which also returns eight starters from its regional runner-up team and a freshman class that includes three state select players.
Elsewhere in Hampton Roads, defending champion Maury is the favorite in the Eastern District with nine starters returning, and Booker T. Washington looks to be the most improved team. The Bookers return 16 players, many of whom participated in a winter indoor league.
In the TCIS senior forward Angela Hucles, a two-time Virginian-Pilot Player of the Year, will lead Norfolk Academy. The Bulldogs went 12-0 in the TCIS last year en route to an 18-2-1 record, and despite improving Norfolk Collegiate and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, they remain the team to beat.
In the Southeastern District, Great Bridge graduated three of its four starting defenders, but has six key lettermen returning, including sweeper Meghan Salo. Although Great Bridge will be challenged by Western Branch, coach Harvey Regan expects the Wildcats to be the strength of the district.
Sizing up the Beach District:
BAYSIDE
Coach: Diane Johnson
1995 record: 8-6 overall, 4-5 district
Key performers: Angie Hebron (Sr. F); Lori Wooten (Jr. D); Adrianne Oxley (Sr. D); Danielle Miller (Sr. M); Sasha Cochran (So. M); Tara Brown (So. D); Erin Alvey (Jr. F);
Outlook: Has a core group of nine who have worked together the last two years. Sophomore Danielle Callender will be the new keeper for the team. Hebron and Wooton finished All-Beach honorable mention last season.
COX
Coach: Terri Sawyer
1995 record: 17-3-2
Key performers: Robin Dwyer (Sr. forward); Kim Iman (Sr. halfback); Laura McFerrin (Sr. goalkeeper); Cara Reske (Sr. back); Natalie Stumpf (Sr. midfielder); Meredith Benson (Sr. back).
Outlook: Should have the most experienced team in the district. The squad is deep with talent and will be able to substitute many players without sacrificing skill and experience. Katie Etter, a senior midfielder, returns from a knee injury that kept her out last season.
FIRST COLONIAL
Coach: Janet Rowlands
Key performers: Anne Crenshaw (Sr. D); Holly Cooper (Sr. M); Tara Refo (Sr. M); Lisa Neely (Sr. M); Catherin deGruy (Sr. F); Avery Willis (So. F).
Outlook: Coach anticipates a rebuilding year.
GREEN RUN
Coach: Ken Bradley
1995 record: 3-11-1, 1-8 league
Key performers: Claudia Watt (Sr. MF); May Domingo (Sr. F); Kelley Linkous (Sr. D); Shellie Hazuda (So. GK); Christine Luopa (Sr. D); Jennifer Porter (Fr. D); Lynell Barta (Jr. M).
Outlook: A young team with several new faces. Domingo was an All-Beach honorable mention selection.
KELLAM
Coach: Steve Schmitter
1995 record: 8-6, 4-5 league
Key performers: Amanda Mickiewicz (Sr. F); Kelly Burns (Sr. MF); Jana O'Brien (Jr. MF); Meghen Guthrie (Jr. B); Courtney Bailey (Jr. stopper); Melody Massey (So. F).
Outlook: Team is as talented as last year's and more experienced. Must replace junior goal keeper Autumn Thompson, All-Beach honorable mention last year, who will not be able to play this season because of injuries.
KEMPSVILLE
Coach: Ed Hackett
1995 record: 12-7-1 overall, 6-2-1 district
Key performers: Kristin Cholewa (Sr. HB); Kelly Sisley (Sr. GK); Monica Frey (Jr. MF) Lauren Rafal (Jr. F); Anne Grochmal (Sr. FB); Johannah Thompson (Jr. FB); Hunter Garris (Sr. FB); Erin Duckett (Jr. F).
Outlook: Return eight starters from last year's regional runner-up plus the return of Cholewa from a knee injury. Look to be more offensive this year with increased skill and speed. A great freshman class with three state players. Sisley was All-Tidewater last season at goal. Rafal led Kempsville with eight goals and eight assists. She was a first-team All-Group AAA pick. Hackett, in his second year, was coach of the year last season.
PRINCESS ANNE
Coach: Jerry Rafal
1995 record: 5-7 overall, 2-7 district
Key performers: Laura Clayton (Sr. MF); Cathy Lewis (Sr. D); Kati Barefoot (Jr. MF; Jen Ordonio (Jr. MF).
Outlook: Young team with six freshmen and four sophomores, with five freshmen expected to start. Ordonio is rebounding from a knee injury. Hope to be more competitive.
SALEM
Coach: Rudy Van Oekel
1995 record: 8-6 overall, 7-2 district
Key performers: Erin Hirschi (Jr. F); Heidi Neidlinger (Jr. MF); Kristie Dellinger (Sr. GK); Jennifer McMurtrie (So. SW)
Outlook: Could start five freshmen, three sophomores, two juniors and one senior. Will be hard to replace All-Tidewater picks Julie Miller and Kirstie Neidlinger. Hirschi finished second team all-district.
OCEAN LAKES
Coach: Tricia Kinney
1995 record: 0-13
Key performers: Alison Kinsler (So. GK); Tara Williams (Sr. M); Stephanie Baird (Fr. MF); Tracy Moody (Fr. F); Christina Worrell (Fr. FB); Lyndsay Kinsler (Fr. MF)
Outlook: With an experienced freshman class, team is building on the foundation set last year. Kinsler is a member of the state pool for the Olympic Developmental program.
TALLWOOD
Coach: Joy King
1995 record: 8-4-2 overall, 5-3-1 district
Key performers: Erin Gilman (Sr. D); Erin Hazlett (Sr. F); Melissa Hancock (Jr. M); Colleen Bradley (Jr. M); Heidi Ferguson (So. F); Amy White (So. D); Sandra Hernandez (So. D).
Outlook: King, a second-year coach, anticipates better depth this season. With seven returnees, King says the team will mature fast enough. Tallwood plays a tough non-conference schedule to prepare for the district. ILLUSTRATION: BEACH DISTRICT GIRLS SOCCER
Cara Reske, Cox senior
All-Tidewater back
Kelly Sisley, Kempsville senior
All-Tidewater goalkeeper
by CNB