Sports

Preps

North Suncoast: Girls soccer preview

By DAVID MURPHY and IZZY GOULD, Times Staff Writers
Published October 29, 2007

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Skip Glover didn't have any illusions heading into his regional quarterfinal showdown with Bloomingdale last season. River Ridge had just completed one of the top regular seasons in school history, winning 18 games, tying one and losing none en route to the Class 5A, District 7 title. Still, Glover knew the Knights would be the underdog against perennial power Bloomingdale.

"We were hopeful," said Glover, whose Knights ended up losing 5-1, "but by no means did we go into that match thinking we were a shoe-in."

This year, River Ridge once again enters the season as the preseason favorite. Here's a look at what else is in store for the 2007-08 season:

District outlooks

Class 6A, District 7

Teams: Mitchell, Alonso, Countryside, Gaither, St. Petersburg, Sickles

Defending champion: St. Petersburg

Runner-up: Countryside

Outlook: After going 12-6-4 in the regular season, Mitchell lost to Gaither 3-1 in the Class 6A, District 7 tournament. This year, though, the Mustangs should challenge for the title. They graduated just three seniors from last year's team and feature one of the top goalkeepers in the county in junior Lauren Seletos (.931 GAA, seven shutouts). Forward Marissa Russo tallied 22 goals and 10 assists last season as a freshman, while fellow freshman Shelby Wright added 13 goals and 14 assists.

Class 5A, District 7

Teams: Land O'Lakes, Central, Ridgewood, River Ridge, Wesley Chapel

Defending champion: River Ridge

Runner-up: Land O'Lakes

Outlook:River Ridge and Land O'Lakes, the top teams last year, have improved rosters heading into the season. River Ridge is far and away the favorite. The Royal Knights, who went undefeated in the regular season last season, return a slew of experienced players, including defending county player of the year Deana Rossi (29 goals, 15 assists), goalkeeper Brittany Hahn, who has verbally committed to play at the University of North Florida next season, and senior midfielder Kaleigh Patri. River Ridge graduated just four seniors, none of whom were starters. Ridgewood returns senior Chelsea Alicea but will suffer from the loss of Alicia Roddenberg, who transferred to Gulf.e_SClBClass 4A, District 8

Teams: Springstead, Hudson, Gulf, Pasco, Zephyr-hills, Hernando, Nature Coast, Sunlake, Wiregrass

Defending champion: Springstead

Runner-up: Hudson

Outlook: Hudson, coming off its first postseason appearance in school history, will have to compensate for the graduation of leading scorer Ashley Schuering (34 goals). Springstead also has lost leading scorer Angela Passfaro, as well as midfielder Nikki Faulkner. Both teams should be reloaded and ready to defend their respective playoff berths. Gulf, which went 10-7-4 last year, could make things interesting. The Bucs received a key addition when midfielder Alicia Roddenberg (12 goals, 11 assists) transferred from Ridgewood. Senior Courtney Cohen is one of the area's better defenders but also led the team with nine goals. Midfielder Alyssa Goodwin returns after a solid season (seven goals, nine assists).

Class 2A, District 9

Teams: Bishop McLaughlin, Calvary Christian, Cambridge, Tampa Prep

Defending champion: Tampa Prep

Runner-up: Cambridge

Outlook: Tampa Prep, which advanced to the region semifinals last season before losing to Sarasota Christian 2-1, and Cambridge should once again be the class of the district.e_SClBTimes' North Suncoast preseason top 10

1. River Ridge (18-1-1): Lone loss was 5-1 to Bloomingdale in the region quarterfinal.

2. Mitchell (12-6-4): Mustangs return slew of starters, including top two goal scorers.

3. Hudson (17-7-1): Made history with first postseason berth and could be even better.

4. Springstead (20-5-1): Several promising additions should had the Eagles in the hunt.

5. Land O'Lakes (12-10-2): An even mix of youth and experience should have the Gators improved.

6. Gulf (10-7-4): Could make noise with key transfer, returning seniors, talented defense.

7. Pasco (11-10-2): The Pirates were dangerous last season, but they're still young.

8. Nature Coast (8-11-1): The Sharks have a plenty of talented club players making them a threat.

9. Zephyrhills (13-7-1): The Bulldogs had a solid 2006 and appear to be gaining strength.

10. Central (NA): Off rebuilding season, Bears still might be year away from playoff contention.

Nov. 2 Gulf at River Ridge Nov. 7 Wesley Chapel at River Ridge Nov. 8 Mitchell at Land O'Lakes Nov. 14 Nature Coast at Springstead Nov. 15 Springstead at Hudson Nov. 16 Mitchell at River Ridge Nov. 19 River Ridge at Land O'Lakes (conf. and dist.) Dec. 12 Land O'Lakes at River Ridge/ Hudsonat Springstead Dec. 17 Springstead at Central/ Land O'Lakesat Sunlake Jan. 14-18 District Tournaments (Local hosts:Mitchell, River Ridge, Nature Coast) Jan. 24 Region quarterfinals. Jan. 29 Region semifinals. Feb. 1 Region finals. Feb. 6-9 State final four (Fort Lauderdale)Play at 8 p.m. It's always a rivalry against Springstead.

Key dates

North Suncoast player of the year watch list

Player School Pos. Yr. Notes 1 Deana Rossi River Ridge F Sr. Returning player of the year; 29 goals, 15 assists in 2006. 2 Brittany Hahn River Ridge GK Sr. Had 0.42 goals against average and 12 shutouts. 3 Marisa Russo Mitchell F So. Mustang's striker scored 22 goals. 4 Rebekah Stockowski Mitchell D Sr. Sunshine Athletic Conference player of the year. 5 Courtney Cohen Gulf D Sr. Key piece of Gulf defense that allowed just 19 goals. 6 Kaleigh Patri River Ridge M Sr. Thinks and plays equally well on offense and defense. 7 Amanda Gobele Land O'Lakes M Sr. Earned all-conference, all-state with 11 goals and 10 assists. 8 Taylor McKinney Springstead F Sr. An attacking forward, great finisher who can play anywhere. 9 Laura Seletos Mitchell GK Jr. First-team all-SAC pick; 0.93 GAA, seven shutouts. 10 Shelby Wright Mitchell M So. Scored 13 goals and notched 15 assists.

[Last modified October 29, 2007, 00:15:00]