Community School and Wood River girls' soccer teams kick off their 2012 seasons Saturday, Aug. 18 with a 12 noon non-conference showdown on the Sagewillow field, Elkhorn.
It is the 25th meeting of the two girls' soccer teams since the series started in 1993. Wood River (11 shutouts) leads the series 16-3-5 and has outscored the Cutthroats 80-22 including last year's 3-0 victory in Hailey.
The Wolverines boast seven straight wins over the Cutthroats since the Sun Valley girls last beat Wood River in 2002, a penalty kick shootout triumph in the district tournament championship game. The Cutthroats last won at Elkhorn 2-1 in 2001.
After Saturday's game the Cutthroats debut their High Desert Soccer Conference season Monday, Aug. 20 at last year's regular-season HDSC champion Buhl. The Cutthroats then beat Buhl for the HDSC tournament title 5-2, at Buhl.
Here are season previews for each team:
Cutthroat girls put Vandals in their sights
To be the best, play the best.
That's what Community School girls' soccer players have in mind for the upcoming 16-game season. They've got the McCall-Donnelly Vandals in their sights to measure their progress all the way along.
After all, it was McCall (17-4-1) with its young squad of 14 sophomores and freshmen that captured the school's fourth State 3A tournament title 2-1 over Weiser last October.
That victory came after a thrilling 1-0 McCall triumph over the Community School in the semi-finals of the eight-team tournament at Caldwell.
It denied a very good Community School squad a chance for its first-ever state championship berth. The Sun Valley girls (15-5-1) then breezed to an 8-3 state third-place victory over Teton of Driggs (14-3-2) that equaled the best-ever state finish for the Cutthroats in 13 state visits since 1996.
After their tantalizing taste last October, the Cutthroats want a spot in the big game. It's possible they'll have to go through McCall to finally obtain the championship trophy.
The Cutthroats have never beaten McCall-Donnelly in six meetings since 2004 and have been outscored 14-2. That could change this year. The teams are scheduled to play twice in pre-season clashes Aug. 24-25 on the McCall fields. If they win their league championships, they could meet again in the State 3A championship Oct. 20.
Being in that state title game is certainly a goal for the nine returning starters and eager Cutthroat newcomers.
Eleventh-year coach Kelly Feldman (120-51-10) has led the Cutthroats to State 3A consolation championships in 2009 and 2010, and the third-place hardware last fall—meaning that the Sun Valley girls have won two of their three state games for three straight years.
They're due, but it will take plenty of work in games ahead.
Feldman said, "With such a strong group of returning players, it's hard not to be excited about what the season may bring. We are definitely focused on a state title and feel that is very achievable.
"We have a strong group of freshmen and expect the juniors to continue to be the backbone of the team. It's been a great start to preseason and we are really excited to see where it all leads."
The Cutthroats are 76-24-4 the last five years. They've made 11 straight trips to the state tournament. Particularly strong the last three seasons, they've outscored opponents 296-75 and boast 32 shutouts in those 63 games since 2009.
Prior to the loss to McCall in the state semi-final, they were unbeaten in 14 straight games.
The nine returning starters are seniors Ellie Swanson (19 goals last season, 59 career), Taylor Figge and goalkeeper Ella Marks; juniors Hannah Dies (27 goals, 46 career), Whitney Engelmann (8 goals), Katie Feldman (8), Jordan Fitzgerald and Erin Hennessy; and sophomore Sara Runkel.
Sun Valley came out of the second seed to win its third straight High Desert Soccer Conference tournament title last year. The seven-team league gets two berths to the 2012 State 3A meet Oct. 18-20 at SunWay Complex, Twin Falls.
Here's a roster, with prospective positions marked forward (F), midfielder (MF), defender (D) and goalkeeper (GK).
Head coach—Kelly Feldman.
Assistant coach—Erika Connelly.
Seniors (4)—Taylor Figge (MF), Ella Marks (GK), Maddie Caraluzzi (MF) and Ellie Swanson (F).
Juniors (9)—Emi Carr (F), Hannah Dies (F), Whitney Engelmann (D), Katie Feldman (MF), Jordan Fitzgerald (MF), Erin Hennessy (D), Hayley Murach (F), Lena Perenchio (MF) and Tara Smith (D).
Sophomores (4)—Josie Allison (F), Isabelle Caraluzzi (MF), Sara Runkel (D) and Sydney Hagenbuch (F).
Freshmen (6)—Sami Bunting, Hannah Conn (D), Autumn Fluetsch, Lilly Jenner (D), Olivia Ott (GK) and Emily Siegel (D).
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WRHS girls aim for state
Hailey's Wood River High School boasts one of Idaho's most successful prep girls' soccer programs since 1993—and the Wolverines are aiming for another state tourney berth.
Last fall, Wood River (13-5-2) saw its streak of seven straight Great Basin Conference tourney championships come to an end. But the Wolverines earned the program's 17th straight trip to the state tournament and gained valuable experience.
Fourth-year varsity coach Jenni Conrad (43-13-4) is excited about the 15-game regular season and her team of 19 players including seven seniors and eight sophomores. She has to replace her goalkeeper, leading scorer and a top defender. But the talent is definitely there.
Conrad said, "I need to continue to develop our young team and focus on creativity up front. They have the speed and technical ability now they just need to make good decisions under pressure.
"Haley Montgomery (junior forward, 17 goals last year) is one of our most versatile players and I'm really excited to watch her growth this year. Others to watch are Bridgette Thomas, Sammy Sutton, Lucy Brannon and Timber Kelly."
Wood River graduated top scorer Sloan Storey (22 goals, 38 career) along with goalkeeper Cheyenne Swanson and GBC Defensive Player of the Year Lucy Paisley. But the next four top scorers—Montgomery, Brannon (12 goals), Thornton (10) and Sutton (8) all return.
Defense is vital for Wood River, which outscored opponents 88-21 with 11 shutouts.
"On defense we will try and continue to play zone defense when we can," Conrad said. "We graduated some key players but have some rising sophomores ready to step up.
"Maggie Williams is someone we can count on in the back. (Sophomore) Rory Cole unfortunately had knee surgery but will be a force to be reckoned with in 2013.
"I am really looking forward to how our large sophomore class develops now that they've had one year in the program and aren't as intimidated by the upperclassmen. They work really well together and have a lot of tenacity. I'm impressed by their amazing work ethic."
Lack of experience at goalkeeper is an area of concern.
Conrad said, "We have graduated two amazing goalies in the past two years and are now trying to develop one for the seasons to come. We've been lucky to have such seasoned goalies for our last line of defense so our goal is working with these girls as much as we can so they feel prepared in game situations."
Wood River (248-66-28 in 19 seasons, state titles in 1995 and 2000) has a long tradition of success that should inspire the girls in challenging games against squads from Twin Falls, Highland of Pocatello and Bonneville of Idaho Falls.
The six-team Great Basin Conference gets two automatic berths in the State 4A tournament Oct. 18-20 at Idaho Falls.
Here is a team roster, with prospective positions identified as forward (F), midfielder (MF), defender (D) and goalkeeper (GK). Sliders are players who move between varsity and Doug Stouffer's junior varsity.
Head coach—Jenni Conrad.
Assistant coach—Kelley Sinnott.
Seniors (7)—Kiana Chapman (GK), Grace Eagan (MF), Allison Gasenica (F), Miranda Gasenica (MF), Telar McClure (D), Olivia Roche (GK) and Maggie Williams (D).
Juniors (3)—Emilia Bingham (D), Haley Montgomery (F) and Sage Rust (GK).
Sophomores (8)—Lucy Brannon (F), Timber Kelly (D), Tate Morell (F), Megan Murphy (MF), Kenya Schott (slider, D), Sammy Sutton (MF), Bridgette Thomas (MF) and Olivia Thornton (D).
Freshmen (1)—Tayte Kelly (slider, MF).
Junior varsity head coach—Doug Stouffer.
JV sophomores (2)—Co-captain Claire Sauerbrey and Cheyanne Stopol.
JV freshmen (10)—Co-captain Ashley Carnduff, Caitie Sfingi, Maggie Sfingi, Sarah Bunce, Riley Boice, Galena Hansen, Indie Landon, Alex Garcia, Julisa Vega and Alina Svindgal.
