Losing 10 senior players is usually a negative, but Glacier Peak High School girls soccer coach Melinda Torre sees plenty of positives heading into a new season.
A state quarterfinal loss to Mercer Island cut short the Grizzlies’ 3A tournament run, but with the return of seniors Brooke Gilbert and Malloy Leahy, Glacier Peak appears to be the team to beat in the realigned Western Conference 3A Division.
Gilbert, who has experience playing for the United States U-17 national team, and Leahy, a versatile University of Portland recruit, anchor a team ready for another go-around at the state tournament.
“I think these kids are all business,” Torre said of her team. “When they come to practice, they come to train. They train hard. They do what you ask.”
A University of Texas commit, Gilbert used the national team experience to help guide her Glacier Peak teammates. A central midfielder for the Grizzlies, but a defender on other teams, Gilbert appeared in four matches — starting two — for the U-17s during a tournament in Argentina nine months ago. The U.S. went undefeated against the likes of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.
“It has really pin-pointed my game and how skilled I need to be,” Gilbert said of the national team. “The trainings that I’ve been in with the high tempo, I’m able to bring it back and challenge my teammates to do the same.”
Leahy, who was named to ESPN Rise Magazine’s West Region preseason Starting 11 list, can play anywhere on the field. Torre used her in attack, but also in defense last season. Leahy is listed as a defender on the magazine’s list, and said that’s where she’s most likely to play at Portland.
“It’s helpful for our coach because she can just put me wherever she needs to,” Leahy said.
Torre, who guided Glacier Peak to a 16-5-1 record in 2009, has more roster flexibility heading into this season.
“We had 10 seniors (last year),” Torre said. “Now we have more of a balance. It’s all more balanced between our youth and not everyone is a senior.”
“We have a lot of youth and I think we have really good leaders this year too,” Gilbert said. “With that combination we’ll just have a really hard-working team and skillful as well.”
Coach Torre listed junior midfielder Shelby Stromerson and senior forward Sarah Desautels as two more players to keep an eye on this season for the Grizzlies.
The coach, who played professionally in Germany after starring for the University of Washington, called Stromerson a “workhorse” and said Desautels has gained confidence in her attack up front.
Sophomore goalkeeper Bailey Anderson is tabbed to be the starter, taking over for graduated senior Nicole Giovine.
After last season’s tournament disappointment, Leahy said the loss to Mercer Island provides a bit of impetus for the team this season.
“I think we always want to better ourselves and our team is going to keep getting better in training and just come back harder than we did last year and be more prepared to go farther,” Leahy said.
Jackson, Monroe favored
The Jackson Timberwolves, who battled Glacier Peak in the same division last season, are now separated from the Grizzlies. Playing in the five-team 4A Wesco South, Jackson returns forward Cara Wegner and defender Molly McPherson, both second team all-state honorees for a squad that went 17-1-1 but fell victim to a first-round upset at state.
Jackson’s other full-time returning starter is senior midfielder Denae Fitz. Goalkeeper K.C. Wilson takes over the starting job after splitting time with Kayla Beer in 2009.
“We look good up the middle,” Jackson coach Mike Bartley said, referring to forward Wegner, center midfielder Fitz, central defender McPherson and keeper Wilson. The four experienced players are team co-captains.
Jackson’s only loss of the 2009 season came in a first-round penalty shootout loss to Todd Beamer High at Everett Memorial Stadium.
In the six-team 4A Wesco North, Monroe and Lake Stevens are the top contenders, according to The Herald’s preseason coaches’ poll. A 4A state quarterfinalist in 2009, Monroe no longer has to worry about Everett, which moved to the Wesco 3A Division after winning the 4A North with a perfect 16-0 league record last year.
Archbishop Murphy reloads
In the Cascade Conference, defending class 2A state champion Archbishop Murphy lost a lot of firepower after a talented group of seniors graduated. Goaltender Alexa Hughes and midfielders Sam Pettinger and Lindsey Bos all departed to play in college, but new head coach Eddie Fernandez said plenty of players are ready to defend the title.
The Wildcats return Colgate University commit Caroline Brawner, a second-team all-state performer as a junior with 18 goals and seven assists, along with junior Tasha Pabisz, a forward who earned second-team all-conference honors in ‘09.
“Our team is coming together,” Fernandez said. “We have a lot of girls that are good players that have been waiting to fill those roles and it’s going to be their responsibility this year to step up. They understand that last year’s run was great and this is a different year with different players.”
Fernandez mentioned senior defender Meagan Duke, who missed 2009 with a knee injury, senior midfielder Katie Corbett and sophomore defender Shelby Koch as players he expects to make an impact this year.
Senior Morgan Duffy takes over the goalkeeping duties following the perennial all-league Hughes’ graduation.
“We still have the same goals that we had last year,” Fernandez said. “I definitely wouldn’t sleep on our team. I know these girls are excited to make their own mark.”
“They lost a big group of seniors,” said Cascade Conference rival Lakewood head coach Jeremiah Wohlgemuth. “If nothing else, they always have that mentality that they’re going out there to win.”
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