Soccer: Irish aiming for the back of the net
by Andy Rogers
Thisweek Newspapers
The Irish girls soccer team plans to kick the ball around with a little more determination this season.
Instead of being satisfied with last year’s 12-win season, Rosemount would like to build on that record.
“We can do that by staying healthy and creating the chemistry that existed last season which made 12 wins a reality,” coach Kevin Adams said.
In 2009, Rosemount was fifth-best in the Lake Conference. In 2010, the Irish are shooting for a top three spot.
“We also would like to get to the section final after making it to the semifinal last year against Eastview,” Adams said. “We had our chances to win that game but did not convert on opportunities in crunch time.”
The close loss has the Irish motivated to take another shot at the goal
“They feel unfinished business was left at Eastview last fall,” Adams said.
The Irish have 10 returning players who remember the game all too well. Top players Shade Pratt, Ashley Wettstein and Mel Simonson hope to improve on the last year’s 2.3 goals per game average this season.
“We should have consistency and leadership and more speed this year collectively and more threats offensively,” Adams said.
The Irish may have some issues when their opponent takes control. Rosemount will have a new goalie replacing four-year player Katie Berkopec.
“Replacing this experience and leadership is not easy and developing chemistry in the back will be key,” Adams said.
Rosemount boys
The Rosemount boys soccer team had an up and down season in 2009. After starting the schedule 6-6, including a four-game winning streak, the Irish hit a tough spot, losing their final six games.
If the Irish have any plans on getting some revenge, they’ll have to do it with some fresh faces.
“We are a young and inexperienced team,” coach Mike Floersch said. “We graduated nine of 11 starters. It will take us a few games just to figure out our lineup.”
Rosemount will have some experience and talent on its side with midfielder Esti Fairchild back on the soccer field. Other senior midfielders, Sam Temple and Dalton Cunningham, will also be following the ball all over the field.
Eagan boys
Few teams in Minnesota had as good a season as Eagan did in 2009.
The Wildcats were one of the top-ranked programs in Class AA, winning almost every game during the regular season.
During the first month of action, the Wildcats won eight games and tied with Park of Cottage Grove and Eden Prairie.
Eastview handed Eagan its first loss of the season in late September and Apple Valley defeated Eagan 6-0 four days later.
The Wildcats won their next seven games up to the Section 3AA finals, where a familiar foe, Apple Valley, sent Eagan packing with a 4-0 loss.
Eagan might have some trouble writing a similar story again this season.
“(We have) a lot of depth, but we’re not that experienced,” coach Kurt Virgin said.
The players who scored 86 percent of the team’s goals last year have since graduated, including the top seven scorers.
The top returning players include defensemen A.J. Albers and Tyler Burger along with midfielders Ben Kasper, Gustavo Pliego and Eric Baily.
The strength will lie in the team’s last line of defense at goalie with Derrick Mora and Austin Stoesz who split time in the net in 2009. Both were a big reason Eagan had six shutouts in 2009.
Burnsville girls
Replacing Lauren DiGregorio, who graduated last spring as one of the top players in Blaze history, won’t be easy in 2010.
DiGregorio scored 28 of the team’s 49 goals last season.
Burnsville had a remarkable season in 2009, especially through the month of September when they started 10-1-2. Burnsville finished the season with a 2-3-2 run, losing to Edina in the Section 2AA semifinals.
Although the team was senior-heavy in 2009, the Blaze will see many familiar faces on the soccer field this year.
“With the long tradition here expectations are always high,” coach John Soderholm said.
The team’s second-leading scorer, midfielder Bailly Drayton, has laced up her cleats for another run around the soccer field.
Jenny Stover will join her in the midfield and Maraya Johnson will lead the way at forward.
On defense, the top returning player is Tristan Walczak.
The Blaze will be prepared for playoffs with a strong conference schedule featuring favorites such as Eagan, Rosemount and Eastview.
“There are no easy games,” Soderholm said.
Andy Rogers is at
andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com.
