Lady Lions and Tigers ready to roll on high school soccer pitch
Happy days are here again for local high school girls soccer fans, as both Analy and El Molino put in final prep work for the 2016 season.
The four-time defending Sonoma County League champion Lady Tigers may not skip a beat this fall after compiling a 15-3-1 record last year, even after graduating some of the top players in the Redwood Empire.
“Our goal this year is to compete for the league title and return to the playoffs,” returning head coach Brittney Briones said. “Every team’s ultimate goal is to win NCS and we are no different. We have a great bunch of girls and I look forward to watching them come together and fight for everything that comes our way.”
With a bevy of returning talent, including three of four starting defenders, the Tigers have every reason to be optimistic. The team will be led by senior veteran and captain Amanda Nebozuk, a contributor on both sides of the midfield stripe. She is joined by fellow midfield captain Bella Niedermair.
Other key returnees are veteran mid/forwards Kaitlyn Lane and Laney Klunis, who figure to provide much of the offensive firepower.
“Our offense was led by Sami Zeponni and Kaitlyn Lane last year and while losing Sami (to graduation) was tough, we believe Kaitlyn and Laney can step up and lead our team,” Briones noted.
Although a relatively young team with a roster laden with underclassmen (including two freshmen), it’s important to note that many of Analy’s young charges saw significant playing time last season.
“All of our freshmen from last year started at one point or another and were big contributors throughout the year,” Briones said. “We look for them to continue to grow and lead our team.”
The Tigers will kick off the fall schedule on Aug. 24 (after press time) with a home clash against Casa Grande (7 p.m.), followed by a litmus test with visiting Maria Carrillo on Tuesday, Aug. 30 (7 p.m.). Analy opens the SCL season at home against Petaluma on Sept. 8.
Lions eye winning
season
The Emily Farrant era is underway in Forestville, as the former El Molino and collegiate soccer star takes the reigns from former coach Tomas Morales.
The Lions will have a tough act to follow on the heels of their best season ever in 2015, a year that ended in the NCS semifinals and a 12-10 overall record.
Not a problem, as Farrant (formerly Lambert) leads a team that is long on both talent and experience, a combination that should bode well as the fall leaves start to turn.
“We have a great group of girls, and a lot of talent to work with,” Farrant reported. “I have never worked with a team that is so supportive and giving to incoming freshmen and new players – we feel very fortunate to be able to coach these girls. This is the first year in three years that we have a JV team with lots of skilled incoming freshmen,” she added.
The Lions will feature a nice core of veteran leadership that includes; senior defender Kristine Daniels, junior forward Carli Hittenmiller (last year’s scoring leader), juniors Risa Scott-Smith, Victoria Briano, and sophomores Bridgette Niclaes, and Lily Dittman.
First year varsity players are; sophomores Chloe Kliegl, Grace Anderson, and Hayley Styskal. Hayley Sheridan is the lone freshman for the Lions.
Overall, the outlook is bright for El Molino, with the new brain-trust eager to build the program to a championship level.
“My father and I are really excited to coach and create a new culture in the women’s soccer program at El Mo,” Farrant said. “We are here to stay and build up the program. We are expecting the girls to be held at a high academic level, and be involved in the community.”
The Lions officially began the season with an Aug. 21 (after press time) visit to Middletown, and return to play their home opener against Roseland University Prep on Aug. 23 (6 p.m.). The ladies will visit Credo on Aug. 26 in a 4 p.m. clash.
