High School Sports: Girls Ready to Kick-Off 2011 Soccer Season

Liberty and South Carroll girls soccer open the season Saturday, while Century hits the pitch on Tuesday.

The Knights are coached for the eighth year by Sara Figuly. Century was 8-4-2 over all and 5-2 in the county last year.

Top returnees are forwards Jaci Buteau and Erin Cooper, midfielder Jessie Herbert and goalie Nicki Baer. Cooper is the top returning scorer. She tallied five goals last fall.

Century host Howard County’s Marriotts Ridge Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

The Lions are under new year coach Callie Gillen, a 2006 Liberty grad. Liberty was 3-11 overall and 2-5 in the county last year.

Returning are forwards Sammy Bost and Jenny Litz, Coley Mowder on defense and Taylor Stillings in the goal.

The Lions host a tournament Saturday and play Mercy at 10 a.m. The Lions travel to

Tuscarora for a contest at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Cavaliers were unscored on until a playoff loss to Winters Mill last year. They finished the season at 10-1-2 overall and 6-0-1 in the county. South Carroll was county and  MVAL Chesapeake Conference champions.

The 2011 season is Andrew Isacco’s second year as head coach and his fifth overall.

The goals for  the season according to Isacco is, "gain more experience, improve in every aspect of our game, and be ready come playoff time." 

Top returning players are senior defenders Julia Baca and Jessa DiTullo along with senior midfielder Shannon Boss and sophomore forward Summerly Merson.

The top newcomers are sophomore midfielders Kendall Noel, Brooke Hobson and Kylie Graham.

Asked about his outlook for the season, Isacco said, "we're definitely younger, but this group is focused and works extremely hard. They are a tough, but skilled group who are capable of really great things." 

Isacco views Manchester Valley as the team to beat in the county this fall.

"This county is always tough, with teams such as Century, Winters Mill, and Westminster. But Manchester Valley only graduated a couple of seniors and returns most of their starting lineup. If they are anything like last season, that will be a tough team to beat," he added.

When asked about the Cavaliers, Isacco said, "they are really, really fun to coach. As a group they work hard and have a great attitude.  They are also really focused and once practice starts, they get right down to business. It should be an interesting season."

The Cavaliers are also taking part in the Lions Classic Saturday at Liberty. South Carroll faces Wilde Lake at 10 a.m. South Carroll hosts Thomas Johnson Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.