THE GAZETTE
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4A
Continued from Page B-1 Lucas Knight is back after being academically ineligible last year. Sophomore David Mason and junior Jeffrey Rosenberg are two of many talented underclassmen who are hoping to lead the Vikings to their ninth state title and first since 2009 as they navigate a very difficult schedule that includes matches against Mount St. Joseph’s, Marriotts Ridge and St. Benedict’s. “If we were to go undefeated with this schedule I would want somebody to put us as the No.1 team in the nation,” Greene
BCC
Continued from Page B-1 The Barons’ historically stingy defense remains fairly intact with returning juniors Denali Minnick and Rachel Cady. B-CC won’t lose a beat with sophomore first-year starter Naomi Gross in goal and transfer Maya Cherry will be a major addition to the backline. B-CC might be small of stature up top but is ex-
said. “We relish it, we love it, playing the very best teams every single game.” As always, the 4A West Region promises to be an ultra-competitive group that includes the defending 2012 state champs, Thomas S. Wootton. And while the Patriots lost the 2012 Gazette Player of the Year in Matt Hoy (26 goals, 10 assists) and first-team defender Sam Summerlin to graduation, coach Doug Schuessler is challenging his side with a daunting schedule that includes DeMatha Catholic, Gonzaga College High School and Loyola Blakefield. One of six new coaches in the county this season, Hector Morales takes over for Mike
Williams at Walter Johnson after spending 15 seasons at Sherwood. The Wildcats return seven of 11 starters from last year, but will be without the services of standout midfielder Jeremy Ebobisse, who opted to play for the Bethesda-Olney Academy this season. Morales said captain Gabriel Vasconcelos and senior Jorge Sanchez will play key roles for his club in 2013. “The boys have been really receptive to everything I’m trying to implement and I’m excited about the way the group has come together,” Morales said. “It’s happening quicker than I expected.” Outside of the 4A West Re-
tremely quick and technical. The Barons move the ball around the field better than anyone and Doll, Paula Germino-Watnick and Maia Emden are among the county’s best playmakers out of the middle and offensive third. “I know we’ve been lucky enough to be able to accomplish great things,” B-CC coach Rob Kurtz said. “But that stuff doesn’t come up. Every day we just try to get better.” Here’s a look at the biggest
threats to B-CC’s sixth consecutive region title. Walt Whitman: Perhaps the most overall skilled team, the Vikings boast good team speed and tremendous creativity in the midfield with four-year starter Aliza Wolfe and on the attack with Anna Gurney and Emma Anderson. Three-year starter Clare Severe is an incredibly quick offensive-minded defender who can be effective just about anywhere on the field.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013 s
gion, where literally every one of the 17 teams has a shot to make some noise this year — including but not limited to Winston Churchill, Clarksburg, Northwest, Quince Orchard, Richard Montgomery and Springbrook — the 3A West boasts potentially strong teams in Damascus, Albert Einstein and Watkins Mill. Poolesville, meanwhile, is the county’s only representative in the 2A classification this season. New coaches will also lead teams at Clarksburg (Michael Edwards), Gaithersburg (Matt Bowling), Northwood (Moses Olubo), Rockville (Julio Zarate) and Sherwood (Michael Kogok). “We look really strong this
year,” said Edwards of his Coyotes. “The nice thing is we have a ton of senior leadership. The 10 seniors on the team know exactly what to expect to be successful.” On the opposite side of the spectrum is Rockville, where Zarate, who formerly coached at Our Lady of Good Counsel, takes over a program that didn’t score a goal last season. “How great is my job? If my team scores one goal, I will change the system completely,” said Zarate, tongue-in-cheek. “And if you don’t score at all, you just match what you did last year.” ncammarota@gazette.net
The only possible question mark would be a slightly depleted backline. Winston Churchill: By the end of 2012, seven starters were freshmen and sophomores and those players are skilled and now varsity veterans. Three-year starter Keiara Clark is fantastic at controlling the middle. Sophomore Juliana Comer will take on a more offenisve role alongside junior Kate Reese, who was a leading scorer as a freshman but
missed most of last year with a knee injury. Senior Carly Shapiro’s role at the center of the Bulldogs’ three-person backfield will be even more crucial given the loss of goalkeeper Becca Ewel. Quince Orchard: Speed and versatility make for dangerous combination. Junior midfielder Stephanie Shin is quick-footed and skilled with the ball and will likely be at the start of many scoring runs. Three-year starter
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Poolsville’s Burnett Filip (left) and Woottons Eric Gunnerson in the scrimmage game, between Thomas S. Wootton and Poolesville at Poolesville High School, on Friday.
Sam Sullenger has provided a great scoring option but can also be used to fill holes in the back; Mary McMeekin is another dynamic player in the Cougars’ offense. A talented group of newcomers will give coach Peg Keiller flexibility.
Other contenders Northwest: The Jaguars have gained momentum in recent years and despite losing a major player in Hannah Theurer, will look to continue moving forward with seven returning starters, including scorer Ashleigh Cain and stalwart defender Dana Eckerstrom. Sherwood: The defending Class 4A North Region champion took a tremendous hit to its midfield and lost nine seniors overall, but will look to rebound with an athletic and skilled bunch led by returning twin sisters Lauren and Tiffany Woods and Kristen Lauda. Gaithersburg: The Trojans return eight of 11 starters from last year’s best season in 15 years and will look to build on recent success. Team speed and the ability to connect well with each other makes the Trojans a tricky opponent. Walter Johnson: The Wildcats lost a strong core of fouryear starters but return one of the county’s best players in midfielder/defender Alejandra Ramos, who provides a starting point to build around with a few additional returning players ready to take on more prominent roles. Thomas S. Wootton: Firstyear coach Andrew Ratti looks to build some stability in the 1998 state champion’s program. “B-CC is the team to beat unless somebody beats them,” longtime Churchill coach Haroot Hakopian said. jbeekman@gazette.net
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outside hitters — surrounding her, it will be something of an accomplishment for opposing teams to give the back line some work at all. Karen Kart with Our Lady of Good Counsel returns just two starters from her 12-12 team from last season, though she expects “that Good Counsel and Holy Cross will have a strong rivalry again this season,” she wrote in an email. She will have outside hitters Megan Conger and Tricia Kerner to help offset Geiser’s forest of a front line and incoming freshman setter Margaret Rosburg to set them up. But it’s not just length that Geiser has on his WCAC-favorite. Despite losing a pair of four-year starters in Taylor Gallart, now with Central Florida, and Grace Lide, he still has the option to waffle between four setters who “I think everybody would be happy with,” four capable outside hitters, including juniors Cassie Lapcevich and Ellie Goodwin; four more middle hitters; and three liberos, highlighted by senior Carlise Cardoza. “It’s definitely a good problem to have,” Geiser said of being burdened with the responsibility of divvying out playing time to such a talented group of players. “We’re trying to catch up to field hockey and their [five] straight titles.” Alhassan said she wants another WCAC championship, too, but she didn’t stop there. An undefeated campaign and vengeance upon a pair of losses to Flint Hill, the only team to have the Tartans’ number last year, were high up on her list of priorities as well. “I want to start the season off the way we ended,” she said. tmewhirter@gazette.net