Still to come: Pinconning
Ogemaw Heights
Coach: Jeff Young
2005 Record: 10-5-1, 7-3 North East Michigan Conference
Returning athletes: Desirae Middleton, sr., Mid.; K.D. Cergnul, sr., Mid.; Dara Lawe, sr., Mid; Tasha Likavec, sr., Fwd.; Alexsis Roach, sr., Fwd.; Micayla Morris, jr., Mid.; Katie Killackey, jr., Fwd.; Lindsay VanOosten, jr., Mid.; Kate Friederichs, jr., Def.; Sara Zettel, jr., Def.; Sarah Schnautz, jr., Fwd.; Alicia Brown, jr., Mid.; Jessica Killinger, so., GK; Ashley Baker, so., Fwd.
New to varsity: Holly Wangler, jr., Fwd.; Kelly Moore, jr., Mid./Fwd.; Ashley Osterland, fr., Mid.; Cara Crawford, fr., Def.; Kristi Killackey, fr., Fwd.; Emily Walker, fr., Def.
2006 Outlook: Falcons have established a tradition of fielding strong teams the past few years, and this one should be in the thick of the NEMC race with John Glenn and Tawas.
Ogemaw should field a strong defensive team, but may take awhile to find its flow offensively. Fourteen players return, including seniors Desirae Middleton, Alexsis Roach, K.D. Cergnul, Dara Lawe and Tara Likavec. Roach and junior midfielder Alicia Brown each received first-team all-NEMC recognition last year, while Middleton and junior Lindsay VanOosten were honorable mention and second-team picks.
"Our defense has looked really good in practice, so we expect good things to happen there," Falcon coach Jeff Young says. "Our offensive punch is a bit of a concern, but after the first game or two, we'll see where we're at. I have no doubt we'll get it done."
Young also expects a boost from four freshmen, at least two of whom could end up starting.
"There aren't a lot of freshmen coming in, but the ones we have are 'quality,'" Young says.
"We like to think we've created something good here. The girls take pride in that and want to maintain it. It's nice to know that when we come onto the field we have the respect of the other team for what we can do."
Oscoda
Coach: Gary Schneider
2005 Season: 3-14-1 (2-8 North East Michigan Conference)
Returning athletes: Jill Sanderson, sr., Def.; Tricia McDonald, so., Mid.; Ashley Crawford, so., GK; Sarah Fischer, so., Fwd; Aubrey Thurston, so., Fwd.; Emily Schwedler, jr.; Erika Nolff, so.; Jodie Astrom, so.; Ginny Cagel, jr.; Heather Sandberg, jr.; Margaret Negro, so.; Kayla Young, so.
New to varsity: Yko Igqrashi, sr.; Brea Luttrell, so.; Jill Carl, jr.; Katia Kotula, fr.; Becky Ziegler, jr.; Kelbi Clarke, fr.; Katie Killingbeck, fr.; Deanna Dykes, so.; Krystin Inman, fr.
2006 Outlook: The Owls are still an extremely young team, but most of their 10 sophomores saw significant playing time last season. One of them, Tricia McDonald, is a team captain (with senior Jill Sanderson) this season and will be moving to midfield from her defensive stopper position as the Owls emphasize improving an offense that managed just eight goals in NEMC contests.
Sanderson, a four-year starter, will anchor the defense in front of promising sophomore goalkeeper Ashley Crawford, who split duties in goal last season. Sophomores Aubrey Thurston and Sarah Fischer will look to improve the Owls' offensive fortunes. Margaret Negro, another sophomore, should provide a strong presence in the midfield.
Increased speed up the middle, the returning strength on defense and increased emphasis on offense under new coach Gary Schneider has the Owls hopeful for the continued growth of their young squad.
Standish-Sterling
Coach: John Rudberg
2005 Season: 5-11-1, 3-7 North East Michigan Conference
Returning athletes: Rebecca Beckers, sr., Def.; Candace Campau, sr., Mid.; Leanne Golimbieski, sr., Fwd./GK; Andrea Gulvas, sr., Fwd.; Victoria Hankins, sr., Mid.; Whitney Rokosz, sr., Def.; Samantha Sobieray, jr., Mid.; Ashlee Assaf, jr., Mid.; Ashley Goick, jr., Fwd.
New to varsity: Ilma Carvalho, sr.; Juli Whitney, fr.; Brooke Trombley, so.; Alicia Trombley, fr.; Lakin Sass, so.; Samantha Umphrey, fr.; Madison Astorga, fr.; Sarah Schwink, fr., def.; Lacy Grzelak, fr.; Megan Jurek, fr.; Courtney Pierce, fr.; Tasha Woletz, fr.; Rachael Taylor, so.
2006 Outlook: The Panthers scored 10 goals in 10 league games last spring, so improving offensive productivity will be one of coach John Rudberg's focal points.
One of the keys is to find a way to best use all-around standout Leanne Golimbieski, who is both the team's top scorer and goalkeeper. With a defense anchored by senior starters Rebecca Beckers and Whitney Rokosz, the defense should be solid and enable Golimbieski to play forward, while returning starters Candace Campau (midfield), Andrea Gulvas (forward), Victoria Hankins (midfield) and Samantha Sobieray (midfield) should get more opportunities to score as well.
SSC is young overall, though, with 13 first-time players, including nine freshmen, populating the roster.
The Panthers hope to contend for league and district titles. To do that, Rudberg says, "The key till be to develop some offense and acclimate new players to the rigors and demands of high school soccer."
Tawas Area
Coach: Ken Cook
2006 Season: 14-7, 8-2 North East Michigan Conference
Returning athletes: Kellie Kasischke, sr., Fwd.; Jenna Kiblinger, sr., Def.; Stephanie LaHaye, sr., Mid.; Clare Siwek, sr., Mid.; Danielle Bird, jr., Mid.; Alicia Drumm, jr., Fwd.; Amy Gracik, jr., Fwd.; Amanda Jungquist, jr., Mid.; Ashley Krumm, jr., GK; Hannah Miles, jr., Def.; Kristen Whitney, jr., Mid.; Asia Finnell, so., Mid.; Stephanie Glancy, so., Fwd.; Kristine Jackson, so., Fwd.; Emelia Oslund, so., Def.
New to varsity: Jamie Shaffer, so.; Gina Gerow, fr.; Alyssa Gracik, fr.; Jenny Jacques, fr.; Jordon Zimmer, fr.
2006 Outlook: The Braves return 15 players in hopes of reclaiming the NEMC title won by John Glenn last season.
Senior forward Kellie Kasischke is the top returning scoring threat, though the Braves also got several goals out of sophomore Kristine Jackson last year. Kasischke, senior defender Jenna Kiblinger and junior midfielder Stephanie LaHaye are returning second-team NEMC picks.
"We have a great bunch of players this year who are truly excited about soccer and eager to get the season started," says Tawas coach Ken Cook. "I look forward to getting outside in some nice weather so we can really start working on our game. I know how hard they have conditioned in the pre-season and that will pay dividends for us when we take the field."
Cook said that the Braves' early-season attitude has been conducive to besting last season's second-place finish.
"The players have been receptive to the changes we are suggesting to help improve us down the road," he said. "They truly want to improve their skills, so I am excited and look forward to a successful season again this year."
John Glenn
Coach: Fran MacMillan
2005 Season: 15-3, 9-1 North East Michigan Conference
Returning athletes: Kristen Kemmer, sr., Fwd./Mid.; Tiffany Kostus, sr., Def.; Lauren Sequin, jr., Def.; Becky Techlin, jr., GK; Taryin Kryzwosinski, jr., Fwd.; Jessica Cook, jr., Mid.; Lauren Brissette, so., Fwd.; Lindsay Brissette, so., Mid.; Meagan Chartier, so., Mid..
New to varsity: Rachel Seifferly, fr.; Alicia MacMillan, fr.; Julie Washabaugh, fr.; Breanne Krager, fr.; Monica Spencer, fr.; Sarah Kemmer, fr.; Rachael Lawrence, fr.; Katelyn Syring, fr.; Larissa Petroff, fr.
2006 Outlook: Bobcats are aiming to follow up last year's first-ever NEMC title with a deeper run into the state tournament. They'll have to do it without star forward Katy Palmucci, who moved to Saline, but John Glenn has plenty of quality depth that may make her departure all but unnoticable.
"We're a young team with nine freshmen, but we'll have a solid back line returning from last year," says John Glenn coach Fran MacMillan. "We gave up seven goals last season, and I don't see that going up much this year."
Defenders Tiffany Kostus, Kaitlyn Noble and Lauren Sequin and goalkeeper Becky Techlin were all either first or second-team all-NEMC selections. Add to that the offensive punch centered around Bay City Times Dream-Teamer and Saginaw Valley State signee Kristen Kemmer, and the building blocks seem to be in place.
And, if anything, MacMillan thinks this team is even faster than last year's.
"Never can have enough speed moving the ball or bodies on the field," he says. "I helped that we can create more scoring opportunities this season. Our goal is to retain the NEMC title, score a boatload of goals, give up avery few and get into a regional semifinal. Our district is tough with both Lapeer schools, Kearsley and Clio, but we like to set the bar high."
