2013 Girls Soccer Capsules
ARBOR VIEW
Head coach: Jay Howard, ninth season
2012 record: 14-4-1 (8-2 Northwest, tied for first)
Returning letter winners (starters): 13 (seven)
Top players: F/MF Breanna Larkin (Jr.), MF Taylor Gill (Sr.), D Jessica Longhurst (Jr.), D Jocelyn Yanez (Sr.)
Outlook: The Aggies bring back seven starters, including Larkin (12 goals) from last year’s state championship team.
“We have 13 returning players, but we have to replace some key seniors from last year’s team,” Howard said. “The new varsity players are talented, but inexperienced.”
BISHOP GORMAN
Head coach: Doug Borgel, third season
2012 record: 9-4 (8-2 Southwest, second)
Returning letter winners (starters): 16 (nine)
Top players: F Kaila Brinkman (Sr.), F Daisy Cabrera (So.), MF Claire Standaert (Sr.), GK Jessica Anaya (So.), F Arlie Jones (Fr.)
Outlook: The Gaels return nine starters from a team that advanced to the Sunset Region semifinals last season.
“With the addition of some key newcomers, the outlook for the team is very bright,” Borgel said. “The goal is a return to the state final for this year’s team.”
CENTENNIAL
Head coach: Kristina Kasten, first season
2012 record: 15-4 (10-0 Southwest, first)
Top players: GK Karlee Edwards (Sr.), MF Danielle Farano (Sr.), D Katie Jenne (Jr.), F Shelby Riddle (Jr.)
Outlook: The Bulldogs narrowly missed advancing to the state tournament last season, falling in double overtime in the play-in match.
“We have a strong defense and a powerful offense,” Kasten said.
CHEYENNE
Head coach: Michael Knutsen, first season
2012 record: 10-6-2 (6-4-2 I-A Sunset, fourth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Four (four)
Top players: MF/F Jocelyn Vasquez (Sr.), MF Josie Lourenco (Jr.), D Bianca Flores (Sr.), MF Emily Gutierrez (Jr.), MF Stephanie Chinchilla (Jr.), F Girly Tambeagbor (So.)
Outlook: The Desert Shields’ building process took a major step forward last year when the team qualified for the postseason.
But with only four starters back, Cheyenne has some work to do if it hopes to continue its upward trend.
“We have many young players who will be stepping into new roles and positions on the field,” Knutsen said. “We will have a certain lack of experience.
Knutsen moved from junior varsity to varsity this season, so he knows well the players he will have.
“The Desert Shields are a team-oriented, tactically-focussed, fundamentally driven group of young players,” he said. “They play an aggressive, trapping defense which translates into a quick counter-attacking style of play.”
CLARK
Head coach: Liz Case
2012 record: 9-10 (7-5 I-A Sunset, third)
Returning starters: Eight
Outlook: The Chargers’ record is a bit misleading, considering half of the team’s overall losses came to the top two Division I-A teams in the state, league rivals Pahrump Valley and Faith Lutheran.
With eight starters back, the Chargers are hoping to make a run at the top two.
“The teams anticipates another chance at playoffs and hopes to do better this year because of all of the hard work and dedication they are putting in.”
DESERT OASIS
Head coach: Charity Cress, sixth season
2012 record: 7-6-4 (4-4-2 Southwest, third)
Returning letter winners (starters): 11 (six)
Top players: MF/F Kayla Saucedo (Sr.)
Outlook: Saucedo tallied seven goals and five assists last year, and should help make up for the loss of a talented group of seniors.
“Our goal every year is to make the playoffs and compete with every team,” Cress said. “Hopefully with some returners and eight brand new faces, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
ELDORADO
Head coach: David Ostler, second season
2012 record: 10-2-5 (6-0-4 Southeast, second)
Returning letter winners (starters): 14 (seven)
Top players: MF Kim Olivarez (Sr.), MF Cristal Mendoza (Jr.), MF Jacquie Avila (Sr.), D Vanessa Rojo (Sr.), GK Hannah Pewtress (Sr.)
Outlook: The Sundevils lost only four starters from last year’s squad, but must replace their top scorer and goalkeeper.
Pewtress will take over in goal, and Olivarez (11 goals, 5 assists), Mendoza (6 goals, 11 assists) and Avila (7 goals, 4 assists) should help make up for the loss of offense.
“New goalkeeper Hannah Pewtress and Vanessa Rojo look to anchor a defense that returns everyone from last year,” Ostler said. “If this group can jell on offesne, Eldorado should be very competitive.”
FAITH LUTHERAN
Head coach: Steve Morrill, fourth season
2012 record: 17-7-2 (10-1-1 I-A Sunset, second)
Returning letter winners (starters): 14 (eight)
Top players: F Kristi Chinn (So.); F Dani Tharaldson (Sr.); MF Charlotte Vancura (Sr.); MF Emily Neighbors (Jr.); D Kayla McKlein (Sr.); D Kendall Pori (Sr.)
Outlook: Chinn (21 goals, eight assists), Tharaldson (19 goals, seven assists), and Neighbors (10 goals, five assists) give the Crusaders three returning offensive threats. Vancura and Pori also added six goals apiece last year, so Faith Lutheran shouldn’t have trouble finding the net.
With eight starters back from the Division I-A state runnerup squad, Faith Lutheran should be primed for a big season.
“The team returns eight starters and several key players, as well as adding several quality freshmen,” Morrill said. “We look to build on last season’s success. The team hopes to have a successful regular season and return to the state playoffs.”
FOOTHILL
Head coach: Cynthia Guzman, third seson
2012 record: 8-6-2 (5-3-2 Southeast, third)
Returning letter winners (starters): 12 (eight)
Top players: F/MF Alyssa Gamboa (Sr.), GK Rachel Kole (Jr.), MF Jilian Vigil (Jr.), D Mackenzie Potter (Sr.)
Outlook: The Falcons bring back 12 letter winners, including Gamboa (eight goals, four assists) and Kole (four shutouts) from a team that placed third in the Southeast League.
“Foothill remains a young team,” Guzman said. “The Falcons are looking to build on the success of last season. My players and I are very excited, and we are looking forward to a great season.”
GREEN VALLEY
Head coach: Catherine Davis, first season
2012 record: 17-0-3 (10-0 Northeast, first)
Returning letter winners (starters): 11 (nine)
Top players: F Kayla Anderson (Sr.), MF/D Jessica Messer (Sr.), F/MF Caitlyn Chamberlin (Sr.), D Stephanie Chaisson (Sr.), MF Madison Holborrow (Jr.)
Outlook: The Gators have been a mainstay in title games, appearing in the final two Southern Nevada championship matches and in last year’s state final.
Anderson (19 goals, six assists) is one of nine starters back to help the Gators try to play on the season’s final day again this year.
“It’s a very well-balanced team,” Davis said.
LAS VEGAS
Head coach: Steve Bowden, second season
2012 record: 6-4-2 (6-2-2 Northeast, second)
Returning letter winners (starters): 11 (seven)
Top players: D Gabriela Morales (Sr.), MF Kara Bowden (Jr.), F/MF Mackenzie McCoy (Jr.), F/MF Ashlee Jordan (So.), F/MF Adriana Domingo (So.), D Alyssa Mireles (So.), D Aly Rhoads (So.)
Outlook: The Wildcats bring back 11 returnees, but still are very young with only three seniors on the roster.
“This year’s team looks to build on last season’s second-place finish in the league,” coach Bowden said. “We have increased our overall depth.
“Ashlee Jordan, Adriana Domingo and Mackenzie McCoy and the rest of the offense will look to improve on the Wildcats’ inconsistent offense from last season. The midfield attack will be led by Kara Bowden. The defense should again be strong led by returners Gabi Morales, Alyssa Mireles and Aly Rhoads.
“We are excited about this year’s team.”
LEGACY
Head coach: Sydney Salyer, second season
2012 record: 0-11-1 (0-10 Southwest, sixth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Eight (eight)
Outlook: The Longhorns are hoping to show improvement this season.
“We are very excited for this season,” Salyer said. “All of the girls have been working extremely hard, determined to make it a great season.
“We have a lot of fantastic players, and I believe this will be a memorable season for us.”
LIBERTY
Head coach: Michael Eshragh, second season
2012 record: 9-6-4 (5-4-1 Southeast, fourth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Eight (five)
Outlook: The Patriots lost some of their better players to club soccer this season.
“We have very young and inexperienced players,” Eshragh said. “Our expectations are always high. We would like to make the playoffs, at least.”
MOAPA VALLEY
Head coach: Lisa Cornwall, second season
2012 record: 2-12-1 (2-9-1 I-A Sunrise, sixth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (nine)
Top players: MF Makayla Jackson (Jr.), MF Tylee Evans (Sr.), D Linna Hernandez (Sr.), D Diana Robles (Jr.), GK Cymoni Cooper (Sr.), MF Angie Schamanek (Sr.)
Outlook: The Pirates struggled at times, largely due to inexperience, last season, but appear to be more ready to compete this year.
“We are looking forward to growing as a team and making more improvements from what we all learned last year,” Cornwall said. “Our girls have improved tremendously, and we look forward to moving on from that point.”
MOJAVE
Head coach: Jaime Alvarez, third season
2012 record: 4-9-2 (4-7-1 I-A Sunset, fifth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (six)
Top players: F Helena Hernandez (Sr.), MF Nancy Lopez (Sr.), D Gabby Reyes (Sr.)
Outlook: The Rattlers lost eight players to graduation and are hoping to bounce back quickly.
“We had to fill a lot of positions and are currently working hard to make our team competitive,” Alvarez said. “Last year we missed the playoffs by a few points and are working to change that.
“I have high hopes that this year will be the first year Mojave makes the playoffs.”
PAHRUMP VALLEY
Head coach: Pamela Larmouth, third season
2012 record: 21-2 (11-1 I-A Sunset, first)
Returning letter winners (starters): 11 (seven)
Top players: MF Sydney Sladek (Sr.), MF Courtney Lindsey (Sr.), D Alexis Smith (Sr.), D Brittany Klenczar (Sr.), F Kristen Young (Sr.), GK Kiaya Nauck (Sr.).
Outlook: The state’s Division I-A teams simply can’t wait for Sladek to graduate. Some might have even volunteered to help her get her diploma early.
And it’s hard to blame them for not wanting to face a player who scored 78 goals and added 27 assists last year.
With Sladek, Young (29 goals) and Smith (15 goals) returning, offense shouldn’t be a problem for the Trojans.
Klenczar is injured to start the season, which deals a blow to the team’s defense, but Nauck returns in goal after posting 14.5 shutouts last season.
“We have four new players on the team this year,” Larmouth said. “We are expecting a great year.”
PALO VERDE
Head coach: Frank Messina, seventh season
2012 record: 11-4-1 (8-2 Northwest, tied for first)
Returning letter winners (starters): 10 (seven)
Top players: F Serenity Grim (Sr.)
Outlook: Grim, who had 11 goals last season, is one of seven returning starters for the Panthers, who finished in a three-way tie for first in the Northwest League last year.
A second-round loss in the Sunset Region tournament has Palo Verde hungry.
“The returning players look to bounce back and work hard for another Northwest title,” Messina said. “Palo’s loss of a few key seniors will not hinder the competitive edge often seen from this squad, especially with the addition of a few young players.
“Palo Verde’s goals each year are to win the Northwest League, take the region title and normally view for the Southern Nevada championship, which instead now will include challenging for the state ttile. The players are determined to meet their goals and to challenge each other along the way.”
SHADOW RIDGE
Head coach: Jamie Gibo, fifth season
2012 record: 13-3-1 (8-2 Northwest, tied for first)
Returning letter winners: 12
Top players: GK Dallas Gunny (Sr.), F Gabby Gonzales (Sr.)
Outlook: The Mustangs finished in a three-way tie for first in the Northwest League last season and are hoping for another successful season.
SIERRA VISTA
Head coach: Ross Muir, second season
2012 record: 5-10-2 (4-6 Northwest, fourth)
Returning letter winners (starters): 14 (eight)
Top players: F Sophia Omidiji (Jr.), MF Courtney Shay (Sr.), D Sabrina Mallett (Sr.)
Outlook: Omidiji had 15 goals and three assists last season and is one of eight starters returning for the Mountain Lions.
“We have a solid base of returners and added some hopeful talent,” Muir said. “With the maturity of our returners, my hope is to match the success of last year’s team and reach the playoffs.
“We are optimistic as we work toward the first playoff win in program history.”
SILVERADO
Head coach: Jenna Carter, sixth season
2012 record: 9-6-1 (5-4-1 Northeast, third)
Returning letter winners (starters): 12 (six)
Top players: MF Mikayla Ahlin (Sr.), F Danielle Parven (Sr.), D Kayla McKenna (Sr.)
Outlook: The Skyhawks return 12 letter winners, including Parven, who led the team with 13 goals last season.
“With the core of the team returning, Silverado is going into the season with a strong work ethic and commitment to the program to compete at a high level,” Carter said. “Having made it to the regional semifinal last season, the Skyhawks hope to build on that experience and take it one step further this year.”
SPRING VALLEY
Head coach: Yamilza Rivera Negron, first season
2012 record: 1-10-1 (1-8-1 Northwest, fifth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Six (six)
Outlook: Rivera Negron takes over a team that won just once last season and lost a handful of starters.
The Grizzlies hope to steadily improve.
TECH
Head coach: Josh Jones, 13th season
2012 record: 12-3-1 (11-0-1 I-A Sunrise, first)
Returning letter winners (starters): 10 (seven)
Top players: MF Alex Guzman (Sr.), MF/F Abrana Wielgosiak (Jr.), MF Monica Figerora (Jr.), MF Daisy Flores (Jr.), GK Elena Duenas (Sr.), D Cristina Mojarro (Sr.)
Outlook: Guzman had 26 goals and 16 assists, and Wielgosiak contributed 17 goals and 10 assists last season. They top the list of seven returnees for the Roadrunners, who are coming off a season in which they won their first league title.
Figerora (seven goals, seven assists) and Flores (four goals, seven assists) also can be offensive threats.
“Tech lost eight players to graduation last season,” Jones said. “The top three goal scorers from last year return, so if the defense can step up, the Roadrunners will be contenders for the league title.”
VALLEY
Head coach: Edward Philpot, first season
2012 record: 2-10 (2-8 Northeast, fifth)
Outlook: Philpot takes over a program that has plenty of room for growth.
“We’ve got a great group of girls here, and I’m looking forward to a very good season,” Philpot said. “The senior leadership on the team has been a tremendous help to our success thus far.
“I’m also very excited about our long-term success. We have four sophomores on the varsity squad, and all of them are impact players.”
VIRGIN VALLEY
Head coach: Bob Snell, sixth season
2012 record: 7-11 (5-7 I-A Sunrise, fifth)
Returning letter winners (starters): 10 (six)
Top players: D Estefany Camacho (Sr.), MF Emma Dodenbier (Jr.), GK Spencer Green (So.), MF Emily Lara (Sr.), D Karla Isidro (Sr.), MF Emily Reath (Sr.)
Outlook: Snell, who began the girls program at Virgin Valley in 1999 and coached for five years before moving to the boys program, returns to lead the Bulldogs’ girls squad.
He inherits a good defense, keyed by Green, who registered four shutouts and 168 saves last season.
“The key is to find someone to put the ball into the net,” Snell said. “We lost our top two goal scorers and assist leaders from last year, and we will be young at forward spots.
“It’s a very competitive group. The keys to success will be staying strong on defense and in goal, plus finding goal scorers. The goal is to make the playoffs, and we have the potential to do it.”
WESTERN
Head coach: Megan Danser, first season
2012 record: 1-13-1 (0-11-1 I-A Sunset, seventh)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (four)
Top players: D Zulema Camacho (Sr.), D Guadalupe Herrera (Sr.)
Outlook: Danser inherits a program that has plenty of room for upward mobility, but only four starters back.
“I have high expectations for this year’s team,” Danser said. “We have great new, young talent that did not play for us last year.
“I am incredibly excited about my first head coaching experience, especially with the team we have this year.”
