SPORTS
A6 • CJN-MMA • AUGUST 14, 2013
CommunityPress.com
FIRST SHOT AT 2013 BOYS SOCCER
Area boys seek improvement on field mmotz@communitypress.com sspringer@communitypress.com
Most of the boys soccer teams in the Milford-Miami Advertiser/Community Journal North Clermont coverage area had a difficult time finding wins in 2012. As the new season begins, squads hope for improvement in 2013.
Milford area girls kick into gear By Mark D. Motz mmotz@communitypress.com
Clermont Northeastern
Clermont Northeastern
The Rockets went 3-13 in 2012, including a 3-5 mark in the Southern Buckeye Conference National division to finish third behind Georgetown and Batavia, who each went 7-1 in SBC action. CNE had a trio of first-team all-SBC players last season. Robbie Erickson and Kyle Reed graduated, but Joe Ortiz returns for his senior year. The Rockets also have a pair of second-team selections back in junior twins Cody and Trent Barrett. CNE opens the season by hosting defending league cochampion Batavia Aug. 22 and Blanchester Aug. 27. The Rockets take to the road to face the other defending co-champ Georgetown - on Sept. 3.
Goshen
The Rockets beat New Richmond 4-0 in the 2012 sectional finals before falling in the district tournament. Tony Ripburger departed to become head coach at Madeira High School. Jason Peters takes over this season, coming to McNick from the Hammer FC
FIRST PASS AT 2013 GIRLS SOCCER
Lace up the cleats and put down your hands. High school soccer season is here and the girls in the Milford-Miami Advertiser/Community Journal North Clermont coverage area look to make it a good one.
By Mark D. Motz and Scott Springer
McNicholas
PRESS
Editor: Melanie Laughman, mlaughman@communitypress.com, 513-248-7573
HIGH SCHOOL | YOUTH | RECREATIONAL
The Warriors posted a 5-10-2 record last season; they went 2-8 in SBC American action, tying with Western Brown for the league basement, eight games behind 10-0 Amelia. Goshen graduated first-team all-SBC performer Brandon Bucksath, but the Warriors have another first-teamer in senior Ryan Williamson returning. Also back is a second-team pick in senior Travis Scheadler. The Warriors open the season with a pair of road games at Little Miami Aug. 21 and at Norwood Aug. 22. The first home game is scheduled for Aug. 27 against New Richmond.
COMMUNITY
Milford High School junior Jack Burgess kicks the ball upfield in during an Aug. 8 scrimmage against Mariemont. The Eagles return seven starters from 2012 and hope to improve on a five-win season. MARK D.
The Rockets finished 2012 in second place behind Batavia in the Southern Buckeye Conference. Head coach Misty Goetz graduated nine players from that club. This year, CNE has only one senior and a starting lineup that could include as many as seven freshmen. “I have a young team, but a team that is working hard,” Goetz said. “We have some great speed on the team and our second strength is our passing. We’re coming along as a very good passing team, moving the ball around the field to the right spots.” The lone senior is forward Nicole Gancy. Juniors Sydney Gaseck (outside midfielder) and Jackie Sullivan (center midfielder) welcome classmate Kyla Toles back to the fold after missing last season with injuries. Sophomore Kaitlin Reece moves to forward after playing defender last season. Sophomore McKenzie Cooper is another convert, moving
from the field to the nets as the Rockets goalie. “Probably the biggest thing we have to improve upon is strategy an defense,” Goetz said. “They’re pretty young and we need to learn to make good decisions.” The Rockets open the season Aug. 22 at home against Batavia.
Goshen
The Warriors suffered through a winless season in 2012, going 0-15-2 with an 0-9-1 mark in the Southern Buckeye Conference Ken Lowe comes to Goshen after stops in Williamsburg, Bethel and Batavia charged with rebuilding the program. “We’ve got some kids who have some experience as players,” he said. “It’s going to be a season where we have to give respect to our play. They really want to win, but winning comes in different forms. You can lose a game and still be a winner. “In order for the program to be successful, we have to have our opponents respect us. One of the goals I have is trying to get people in the stands and support what we’re doing. And the way you do that is to play well.” To that end, Lowe will carry 24 players and hopes to re-institute a JV team to the GoSee GIRLS, Page A7
MOTZ/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
club program. “It’s pretty interesting,” he said of the transition to high school soccer. “If we can work hard and improve, we can be pretty good.” Peters chose not to single out any players. “It’s a team game and you just look at the the whole team,” he said. “We’re a pretty direct team.” McNick lost its first two scrimmage in the preseason. “We learned we need to work harder,” Peters said.
Milford
The Eagles went 5-11-2 in 2012. Their 3-3 record in the first year of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference put them squarely in the middle of the league, fourth place behind champion Walnut Hills, Love-
land and Turpin. Milford finished ahead of Kings, Glen Este and Anderson. “That’s where we got our wins, against the lower part of the league,” said head coach Brian Croston. “This year we look to finish in the top three and maybe push up a little to challenge the leaders.” Milford won its division of the Mason Cup tournament this summer, posting four shutouts along the way. With a solid summer, seven returning starters and a roster featuring 10 seniors, there is reason for optimism. “These guys, because they took it on the chin last year, they want to prove themselves,” Croston said. “Leadership will be a strength. We’re keeping the See BOYS, Page A7
Milford High School junior Tara Claus begins her third year on the Eagles varsity team as a striker.FILE PHOTO
Milford soccer alumni pull together for family The Milford High School Alumni soccer games are back this year being much more than just a soccer game. The organization is pulling together the entire community to celebrate the life of a community hero, Connor Martin, son of Shannon Martin (a graduate and
soccer player for Milford High School) and Amy (Babinec) Martin, a graduate of Milford. Connor was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer (ATRT) that makes up only three in one million forms of childhood cancer. The cancer is so rare that it came with many challenges.
After fighting for more than a year, Connor died on June 5. Connor’s treatment was ongoing over the past year and created financial strains on the family. Even with Insurance the family had many out-of-pocket expenses that can really add up. So the Milford soccer family
is pulling together to honor Connor’s life and the Martin family. The event is Sunday, Aug. 25, at Milford High School on the Charity Lucas Soccer Field. The women’s game is 3 p.m. and the men’s game is 5 p.m. All proceeds from games, split-the-pot, food, company
sponsorships, etc., will be donated to The Martin Family. Donations are needed for various raffles, company sponsorships for shirts and any vendors that would like to be included. For donations, contact Carissa Smith at carissasmith9@yahoo.com or 937-510-2021.
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