GIRLS SOCCER PREVIEW: Five players to watch
Published 12:01 am Tuesday, September 6, 2011
CARA WEGNER
Jackson | forward | senior
Jackson made the girls soccer 4A state tournament for six consecutive seasons from 2004-2009, and the first two seasons of Cara Wegner’s high school career, but the Timberwolves got tripped up in 2010. If they are to make it bac
k this year, it will be on the foot of Wegner the senior captain, who is a four-year starter. “She’s a great leader by example,” Jackson coach Mike Bartley said. “Everybody likes her She has a lot of respect. She’s always willing to do the dirty work. She’s a great team player.”
Wegner led the team with 14 goals and eight assists a year ago and has accepted a scholarship to play soccer at the University of Oregon next fall. Bartley says that one of the most impressive things about her is how much she’s grown in four years. “She’s matured and really plays her role really well,” he said. “She doesn’t let things frustrate her the way she used to she just keeps battling.”
MIRANDA HEAD
Lakewood | goalie | senior
Lakewood qualified for the 2A state tournament for the first time in school history in 2009 and again in 2010. Head is probably the biggest single reason for the team’s emergence as a state contender. Over the past three seasons she has established every school record a goalie can set, including saves in a game (22), saves in a season and career, clean sheets in a season and career. A year ago when Lakewood went undefeated in Cascade Conference play, she helped hold opponents to under a goal per game average. “She owns all of them (records) head and shoulders above anybody else,” Lakewood coach Jeremiah Wohlgemuth said. The senior keeper isn’t however head and shoulders ahead of most keepers in terms of height, standing just 5-foot-9, but Wohlgemuth attributes her excellence to a long wingspan and amazing instincts. Head has been a huge weapon during shootouts when, according to her coach, she averages more than one save per game and the Cougars have suffered just one penalty kick loss in the past two years. “That’s been a huge benefit for our team,” knowing that our keeper has got things together,” Wohlgemuth said. “If we are in a tie we’ve got a definite advantage.”
LAUREN LUKE
Kamiak | forward | senior
The leading scorer for the Knights over the past two years, the senior forward is one of two captains leading the team. Both Luke and Paige Littrell have been on varsity since they were freshman and together they represent half of Kamiak’s 2011 senior class. After just missing the 4A state tournament a year ago, Luke will likely be the one return the Knights to where they ended her first two seasons. Kamiak coach Beth Stewart thinks she is one of the most unique players in the league. “I would definite say she is one of the craftier players in the league for sure. She is very good with her ball movement. She’s got very good ball control and that makes her stand out.” In her career Luke stood out enough to attract the attention of Gonzaga, where she will play soccer on a full athletic scholarship next fall. She also attracted the attention of teammates being voted most inspirational player twice in three years. “She’s an all-around fantastic kid,” Stewart said. “She has the best attitude on the team.”
BROOKE PINGREY
Snohomish | defender | sophomore
Behind her 5-foot-3 frame and a bright smile full of braces, lies the heart of one of the toughest defenders in the area and a returning first team All Wesco performer. Pingrey, whose father is the coach of the boys team, is, along with senior keeper Melissa Dreeves, the linchpin of the Panther defense, which was stingy all the way to the state quarterfinals a year ago. It says a lot about Pingrey that as a sophomore she plays an important leadership role on a team with nine seniors. “I like it,” she said. “Obviously I can’t be captain, but it feels good knowing that everyone is listening to me because I’m needed to talk the most in the back.” Her coach April VanAssche glows when the subject of her diminutive defender comes up. “After what she showed us last year, we are really excited to see what she continues to do this year. She is a big leader and she’s very talented,” VanAssche said.
HAILEY FOLEY
Lake Stevens | midfield | junior
After the Vikings made a run to the 4A state quarterfinals in 2010, where they lost to eventual state runner up Tahoma, the team needs leaders to step up and help carry the group back to the state tournament. Foley heads a group of seven Vikings juniors who are looking to do just that. Coach Andy Knutson knows Foley is the perfect complement to seniors Breonna Countryman and Ashley Saracino. “She is very determined,” he said. “The emotional heart of our team, she is very skilled. She’s a great asset for us. She’s one that we will rely on.” After earning first team All Wesco honors as a sophomore forward, the junior will split time between midfield and forward while helping to direct traffic for the Vikings attack. Foley will help step into the void left when fellow All Wesco performer Lindsay Licht was lost for the season due to an ACL injury suffered in June.
