Area Girl's Soccer Teams Off And Running On 2011 Season

Several area girl's soccer teams have taken the field for their first games of the 2011 season, including those for , , , , and . After checking in with the coaches and squads, we have an overview of what to expect on the soccer fields this spring.

Westminster

After finishing 14-5 in 2010, and losing in the district semifinals to eventual state champion Visitation, Westminster’s girl’s soccer team expects a strong result in 2011.

It was the second straight year the Wildcats exited the playoffs at the hands of Visitation, and to avoid this fate again in 2011 coach Warren Smith is looking to a pair of senior center backs for leadership, in Haley Bettlach and Lauren DeRousse, who will co-captain the squad.

“Our junior class has some numbers this season, but we expect our senior captains to guide the team, and steady the defense,” said Smith.

Among the numerous juniors returning in 2011 is Margaret Moore, who was named MVP for the team last season, and anchors the midfield for the Wildcats.

Smith has five forwards he’ll rotate as the season unfolds, and among them is junior Karlee Heinemann, who suffered an ACL injury prior to the start of the 2010 campaign, and subsequently sat out. Sophomore Summer Smith also looks to figure prominently in the offense for Westminster.

The Wildcats opened the season with a 4-0 victory over St. Elizabeth’s on the road, and then visited a tough Notre Dame side on April 1, absorbing a 3-1 loss. Following a 3-0 win over John Burroughs this week, Westminster is 2-2 on the season.

Whitfield

Coming off a difficult 5-15 season in 2010, coach Jeff Cacciatore believes the Warriors have a strong chance to improve in 2011.

"We have some seniors who came back on the team, after sitting out last season, and they were sophomores when we won our district in 2009, so they'll be a big help in getting us back to the district title game," said Cacciatore.

Among the seniors considered key to the squad's success are Hannah Potter, who anchors the defense, Olivia Volarrich, who brings speed to the striker position and should help up top, and Kelley Ashmore, who is expected to provide leadership for the Warriors.

Whitfield is slightly behind other teams in getting their season off the ground, and have only played tow games thus far. They opened with a difficult 5-0 loss to MICDS, and then dropped a close 2-1 game to Lutheran South this week.

"Several teams have already played five or six games already, so we are playing catchup, but if we can stay healthy I think we'll be peaking during districts," said Cacciatore.

Parkway Central

The Colts are 4-0 on the season, and playing with a lot of confidence following a 3-0 win at earlier in the week. Coach John Theobald is encouraging his team to find a balance between urgency and composure, which seems to be working thus far.

"We're off to a good start, we're making adjustments as needed, and Alison Magruder is providing scoring up top, so things are going well and the team is happy so far," said Theobald.

With three shutouts in the first four games, Parkway Central's defense is proving to be stingy against their opponents. Middle backs Molly Berrier and Kori Richardson provide the backbone of the Colts' defense.

Parkway Central travels to Kirkwood on April 12, for a league game against the Pioneers.

Pattonville

The Pirates are carrying a 3-3 record thus far in 2011, and finished third at state in 2009, and second place in 2010. Expectations are high for the team to return to the final four this season.

Coach Tom Iffrig says the Pirates' tough schedule, which included two games that Pattonvillle lost (St. Joseph's 3-0, and Marquette 5-4, on penalty kicks), will prepare them for success at districts.

"We play a very tough schedule in the hopes of preparing for the post-season...In fact we play against the number three team in the nation this week (Neuqua Valley from Naperville, Illinois), and later this month we travel to the Tournament of Champions in Burlington, Iowa to take on some of the best competition in the country," explained Iffrig.

Players of note for the Pirates include Kailey Utley, who currently has nine goals and is a returning first team all state player, Mikala McGhee who is sitting with four assists as a defender and is also a returning all state player, and Caitlin Murray who has tallied three goals and three assists, and is a returning All conference player.

Pattonville suffered a big loss when Aubrey Bouilicault tore her ACL, but Iffrig says she is rehabbing hard to try and get back by the end of the season.   

Parkway North

The Vikings are enduring a difficult start to the season, including a 7-1 loss to Pattonville earlier this week.

Parkway North is 2-4, with wins against Ritenour and University City.

Players to watch for the Vikings include forwards Ryanne Sass, Shelby Simmons, and Hallie Brychel.

Parkway North took on Troy Friday in the College Showcase event at the A-B Center in Fenton.