For the week of August 27 - September 2, 2003

Defense looks to dominate Cutthroats campaign

State tourney always the goal

---

By JAMES CORDES
Express correspondent

Perhaps fewer expectations are better.

As the Community School men’s soccer team heads into their 2003 soccer campaign, the spotlight isn’t on them quite as bright.

This year’s captain of The Community School boys’ varsity soccer team is senior Taylor Rothgeb, heading the ball here during last year’s state tournament. Express photo by David N. Seelig

"No one expects us to win all our games this year." Coach Richard Whitelaw said, as he heads into his 12^th year (128-50-12, 15-8 state tourney) manning the Cutthroats program.

"I think the underdog role will be good for us this year.

The Cutthroats powered through last season, outscoring opponents 112-15 and losing their only game of the year in a two-overtime heartbreaker to eventual state champion Payette. They finished third at state for the second time in as many years.

This fall, however, the Cutthroats hope to be the surprise team.

After losing ten seniors off the 18-1 team last year, the Cutthroats will need their new core of steady veterans, including an experienced goalie and defense, to set the standard. Helping them will be a set of very capable role players.

"We don’t necessarily have a ‘go-to’ guy this year." Whitelaw said.

Looking to fill that role will be always dangerous senior forward John Hayes, doubled with junior Bobby Flanigan up front.

The midfield should be controlled by seniors Yancy Caldwell and outside midfielder Daniel Ricsi.

On the defensive side of the ball is where the Community School should thrive. Captain Taylor Rothgeb and hard-working goalie Luc McCann are the keys to keeping the ball out of the net.

"Luke has come a long way in goal." Whitelaw said. "He won’t miss a beat.

"Obviously Hayes and Rothgeb are our strongest players this year."

The other key seniors are Ash Higgins, Jon Goldberg, and Corey Warren. Juniors are stopper Reed Boeger and Connor Wade.

Whitelaw hopes this year’s squad will be a more complete team than year’s past. Without one man to go to, the Cutthroats starting 11 will need to play good, collective ball.

However, one worry for the Community School involves the lack of roster depth.

"Unfortunately, we are not that deep this year. However, the first 14-15 spots on the roster have been playing together for a while." Whitelaw said.

With experience from the past two state tournaments teamed with a strong club campaign in the spring, the Cutthroats should bring some exciting team ball to the field.

A favoring schedule will also help Ketchum/Sun Valley. Playing 12 home games and only three away, the Cutthroats hope to keep last year’s home-unbeaten streak alive.

"The schedule is definitely in our favor." Whitelaw said. Even with the expectations returning from last year’s heights, Whitelaw still anticipates a very strong season for his team.

"As always, we want to beat Wood River and make it to state," Whitelaw said, "although Wood River is going to be very strong this year."

The Cutthroats begin play at home this Tuesday, against Magic Valley Christian at 5:00. Home games are played at Browning Field at Sage Willow Farms in Sun Valley.

The junior varsity squad, with an 11 game schedule, begins play on Monday, Sept. 8, at 5 p.m. against Wood River JV.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.