Anne Arundel County Girls Soccer Preview

ANNAPOLIS PANTHERS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 5-6-1

COACH: Brooke Walsh, second year

LEAGUE: 3A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Katie Sears (Sr., GK); Alyssa Brummitt (So., F); Casey Orr (Sr., F); Danielle Boucek (Jr., M); Brittany Pastrana (Sr., D); Erika Alam (Jr., D); Bre’Onno Stevens (Sr., D); Liz Simison (Jr., D).

NEWCOMERS: Lily PazyMino (Fr., M); Alex Calabokidis (Fr., F); Ali Brandenburg (Jr., D); Anne Hammond (Jr., F); Casey Coffman (Jr., M).

OUTLOOK: Walsh has high expectations for her Panthers, and Sears is a big piece of the puzzle.

Sears, an All-County second-team selection at goalkeeper, returns for her senior season. She helped Annapolis finish a game below .500 last season.

“We’re depending on Katie Sears. She’ll keep us in a lot of games,” Walsh said. “She looked really sharp in the preseason.”

Sears will have an experienced backfield playing in front of her with Pastrana, Stevens, both seniors, and juniors Simison and Alam, who has switched from outside back to center back.

Brummitt, Orr and Boucek will be instrumental in the Panthers’ success. Walsh believes that how they develop together through the course of the year will dictate where Annapolis will finish.

“We really want to try to build on last season,” Walsh said. “We’re trying to continue to build interest and excitement in Annapolis soccer.”

ANNAPOLIS AREA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL EAGLES

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-5, IAAM C Conference champions

COACH: Paul Brophy, 14th Year

LEAGUE: IAAM C Conference

RETURNING PLAYERS: Lane Cheek (Sr., GK); Kelly Oster (Sr., F); Christy Valentine (Sr., Sweeper); Jenna Layson (Sr., M); Taylor Seymour (Sr., M); Julia Furniss (Sr., D); Ally Flamming (So., D).

NEWCOMERS: Maggie Masters (Fr., M); Jessie Kellner (So., D).

OUTLOOK: With the exception of returning senior goalkeeper Cheek, the Eagles defense took a huge hit this offseason, losing five of six position players. Fifteen out of eighteen players on this season’s roster were forwards or midfielders.

“Our biggest issue right now is creating a defense,” Brophy said.

Flamming is the only returning starter on what will be a revamped defensive group.

“We graduated four starting defenders and had another transfer. We need our players to embrace the concept of defense,” Brophy said.

Valentine, a senior, has answered her coach’s challenge, switching from forward to starting sweeper.

The Eagles should be strong in the midfield with returning seniors Layson and Seymour.

ARCHBISHOP SPALDING CAVALIERS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 17-2-1, lost in IAAM A Conference semifinals to McDonogh

COACH: Bob Dieterle, seventh year.

LEAGUE: IAAM A Conference

RETURNING PLAYERS: Erica Page (Sr., F); Caitlin Aversa (Sr., M); Molly Brimmer (Sr., D); Jena Gerbrick (Sr., D); Kirsten Frank (Jr., D); Olivia Tomoff (Jr., D); Dani Beard (So., D); Chloe Constants (Jr., M); Teresa Doyle (Jr., M); Coutney Hoyes (Jr., F); Erin Maley (Sr., M); Jocelyn McCoy (So., GK); Maggie Morrison (So., F).

NEWCOMERS: Amanda Palmer (Fr., D); Francesca Springer (Fr., M); Jackie Kane (Jr., F); Sarah Backof (Jr., M); Alicia Sage (Jr., M).

OUTLOOK: Although they lost two of the top players in the area, if not the country, in Christine Nairn and goalie Karen Blocker, the Cavaliers return a slew of talent. Page has a chance to pass Nairn as the leading scorer in school history. Page will be asked to step in as the main scoring threat this year.

“I think we’re going to see some great things from her this year. She’s very calm on the ball and really knows what she’s doing,” Dieterle said.

Hoyes and Morrison should also add some scoring punch, while a host of sophomores return on defense in hopes of coming anything close to duplicating last year’s dominance that saw the Cavilers give up just six goals in 21 games.

ARUNDEL WILDCATS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-4, lost in 4A East Region semifinals to Leonardtown

COACH: Laura Coe, second year

LEAGUE: 4A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Sydnie Major (Sr., M); Jamie Bretlinger (Sr., D); Megan Frost (Sr., M); Brooke Jones (Sr., F); Jessica Triandos (Sr., F); Amanda Hedgepeth (Sr., GK); Alise LeCompte (So., D); Sydney Keer (Jr., M); Joanie Hibbs (Jr., M); Francisca Okoko (Jr., F); Rachael Matney (Jr., F); Ariel Ross (Jr., GK).

NEWCOMERS: Lexa Stevenson (So., F); Carly Keer (Fr., F); Caprice Kelty (Jr., F); Kara Kelty (Jr., D); Carly Frank (Fr., D); Shauna Lancey (Fr., M); Victoria Poynter (So., F); Rachael Callahan (Jr., M/D); Hayley Ross (Jr., M).

OUTLOOK: Replacing All-County midfielder Sierra Smidinger (George Washington University) won’t be easy, but the Wildcats developed a number of young players last season and are ready to make a push for the county crown.

“This is a squad that works smarter and better than our team last year,” Coe said.

The offense flows through returning starting midfielders Keer and Frost, who are among the best in the county at creating chances for the forwards.

Okoko, the team’s leading scorer a year ago, will look to fill that role again.

The defense is led by Bretlinger, who will try to keep things clean in front of Ross in net.

BROADNECK BRUINS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-4-3, lost in 4A East Region semifinals to Severna Park

COACH: John Camm, fifth year

LEAGUE: 4A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Melissa Orgera (Sr., GK); Jessica Flewellyn (Sr., GK/M); Laura Dawson (Sr., D/M); Natalie Larson (Sr., M); Tara Kirby (So., F/M); J.M. Yanchulis (Sr., M/D); Lauren Riffle (So., M/F); Alli Dawson (So., M/F); Autumn Krebs (So., M/D); Meghenn Jackson (So., F); Courtney Laverdiere (Jr., M/D); Grace Burger (Sr., D/M); Lauren Tolliver (So., M/D); Sammie Norman (Jr., D/M); Erin Dellorso (Jr., M).

NEWCOMERS: Molly O’Liddy (Jr., F/M); Morgan Fowler (So., F/M); Logan McCarthy (Fr., M/D); Summer Dean (Fr., F); Chelsea Miller (Jr., M); Bryanna Merrill (Jr., D).

OUTLOOK: The Bruins return the core of their East Region semifinals team from last year, including starting goalkeeper Melissa Orgera, All-County forward Meghenn Jackson and defender Sammie Norman.

“Preseason training has been focused and intense,” Camm said. “We are looking to be one of the best teams in the region by the time the playoffs roll around.”

Orgera is a constant threat in goal for Bruins defense, which shut out its opposition seven times last season.

Camm believes the experience returning to the field -- 15 of the 21 girls -- will pay off huge dividends come postseason time.

CHESAPEAKE COUGARS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-5-1, lost in 4A East Region quarterfinals to Arundel

COACH: Liz Farrell, first year

LEAGUE: 4A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Courtney Lupinek (Sr., F).

NEWCOMERS: Casey Smith (So., G); Abby Born (Jr., F/M); Morgan DeCarli (Sr., D); Amber Shifflett (Sr., D); Jackie Lledo (Jr., M); Mel Waters (Jr., F); Rachel Cox (Jr., D); Holly Bowen (Sr., M); Megan Butzner (Sr., D); Lauren Kelm (Jr., D).

OUTLOOK: The Cougars replace 11 seniors that graduated from last season and introduce a first-year head coach to the program this year.

Despite all those changes, Farrell is confident the team will perform well on the field.

“I don’t think people realized what we had sitting on the bench last year,” she said. “I think we’re going to be successful this year.”

Farrell will look to senior Courtney Lupinek to be one of the leaders on the team, as she’s been on the varsity since her freshman year. Seniors Amber Shifflett and Morgan DeCarli will also be leaders on the field.

Farrell said the biggest challenge for her team this year will be their lack of experience. The players looked up to the 11 seniors from last year’s team, and now they have to find their own leaders this year.

GLEN BURNIE GOPHERS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 4-11, lost in 4A East Region first round to North County

COACH: Scott Chandler, first year

LEAGUE: 4A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Heather Smith (Jr., M); Camile White (Sr., D/M); Brittney Kincer (Jr., D); Stacy Loudermilk (Jr., M).

NEWCOMERS: Angela Copes (Fr., M); Renee Hall (So., D); Cara Woods (So., D); Briann Jett (Jr., F); Kaitlyn Scardina (Jr., D); Kayla Schmidt (So., GK).

OUTLOOK: Excitement is an understatement when describing Chandler’s thought on this year’s Gophers. With all but one player set to come back for the 2009 season, Glen Burnie is in position to make up some ground this year.

“Ultimately, we’d like to win every game,” Chandler said. “We’re going to stay positive and understanding. As a team, we are believing in our philosophy of our ways and what’s going to benefit us in our future.”

Smith, White – the team’s lone senior – and Kincer, the Gophers’ tri-captains, and Copes will be locking down the backside of the field in the flatback-four alignment.

“They’re all doing above and beyond what they’ve been asked to do,” Chandler said. “If we work together, great things are going to happen.”

INDIAN CREEK EAGLES

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 4-8

COACH: Chuck Goetz, second season

LEAGUE: IAAM C Conference

RETURNING PLAYERS: Amanda Amodio (So., D/M); Tanya Brenner (So., F); Kim Giegerich (So., M); Becky Kinder (So., M/F); Sarah Kurtis (Fr., F); Angelina Lewis (So., M); Maria McGurrin (So., M); Sam Peart (So., GK); Sienna Roccograndi (Jr., D); Cara Smith (Jr., D/M/F); Amanda Sweet (Jr., M).

NEWCOMERS: Caitlin Grant (Fr., M/F); Emma Baukhages (So., GK/M/F); Cat Lyons (Fr., D); Krystin Major (Fr., F); Lexi McCormick (Fr., M); Brooke Sulerzyski (Fr., M).

OUTLOOK: After a competitive as a soccer program last season, Goetz brings back an experienced team back for the Eagles’ first run as a varsity squad. Seventeen of the 22 players are freshmen or sophomores, but with the most of those players returning, and with Roccograndi and Smith leading the way, Goetz is positive this team is going to make some waves.

“We’re definitely making great strides,” he said. “They’re starting to get a feel for one another. We’re definitely moving in the right direction.”

Roccograndi finds herself the center midfielder, and Smith has the versatility to play almost anywhere on the field.

“I expect a lot out of them, but they pretty much give me a lot,” Goetz said.

Joining those two is Sulerzyski, a member of the Maryland Olympic Development Program. She already leads the team with two goals – matched by McCormick, another freshman – and is an anchor on the front line.

Goetz expects this team to compete in every game this season. Last year, they finished 4-8 and allowed just one goal in three of those losses.

KENT ISLAND BUCCANEERS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-2-1, lost to Parkside in the 2A East Region final

COACH: Lynda Kepley, 10th year

LEAGUE: 2A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Melissa Osborn (Sr., GK); Juli Mayhew (Sr., M); Savanna Dickey (Sr., M); Michelle Bach (Sr., D); Tori Kopec (Jr., D); Meggy McLean (Sr., M); Allison Clarke (Sr., M); Jen Cosgrose (Jr., M); Sam Atwood (Sr., M/F); Caylin Dudley (So., F); Kristen Wagner (Jr., F); Monica Knaggs (Jr., F); Chelsea Spector (Jr., M); Hannah Pajak (So., F); Jordan Clark (Jr., M).

NEWCOMERS: Sarah Knapp (Jr., D); Nikki Jones (So., D); Emily Patterson (Jr., F); Ashleigh Hartsock (Fr., M); Amanda Ackermann (Fr., F); Izzie Schaffer (So., F).

OUTLOOK: Confidence is high at Kent Island. Of course, that’s easy when you’re coming off a season in which the defense only allowed three goals to conference teams, which is what the Buccaneers did.

A near perfect conference record – blemished only by a 1-1 tie to Queen Anne’s County – set Kent Island up nicely for the postseason, and Kepley believes that’s where her team is headed again this season.

“We have a very strong team,” she said. “These girls have been working hard. They have a very good direction of where they want to be this season, and they’re working for those goals.”

Only North Caroline and Queen Anne’s – twice – put goals past Osborn last season, as she guided Kent Island to a 9-0-1 record in the Bayside Conference, and she’s back.

Kent Island’s attack, led by Dudley, Wagner and Knaggs, is poised to outdo last year’s offensive output. The Buccaneers scored more than 50 goals in the regular season.

MEADE MUSTANGS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-7, lost in 3A East Region quarterfinals

COACH: Chris Clark, first year

LEAGUE: 3A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Elizabeth Hicks (Jr., D); Rebecca Hicks (Jr., M); Alex Jacobson (Jr., GK); Kiasten Miller (Sr., D).

NEWCOMERS: Natasha Curtis (Fr., F); Tia Daniels (Fr., F).

OUTLOOK: Like many of his peers, Clark is a new face on the Mustangs’ sideline this year, and he’s got one objective: Make his program better.

“I’d like to improve upon last season’s record,” he said. “They had a decent regular season. We’d like to improve upon that and go far in the states.”

Meade won its first game in the Class 3A East region playoffs, and Clark has a good core of his players back.

Elizabeth Hicks and Miller, experienced defenders, will try to clear the way for Jacobson in net.

“(Jacobson) looks very good,” Clark said. “I’m impressed in the way she’s been playing so far. She’s starting to take command of the defense.”

NORTH COUNTY KNIGHTS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 2-14, lost in 4A East Region quarterfinals to Leonardtown

COACH: Joe Deek, second year

LEAGUE: 4A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Kasie White (Sr., M); Natalie Magness (Sr., D); Andrea Kellner (Sr., F); Natalie Robinson (Sr., D); Brittne’ McDermont (Sr., M); Kourtney Abrams (Sr., D); Samantha Freeman (Jr., M); Angela Vilone (Jr., F); Michelle Mendoza (Jr., M); Macy Murray (Jr., F); Sarah Lawrence (Jr., F); Kim Brooks (Jr., GK); Jesse Jones (So., M); Chrissy Shives (So., M)

NEWCOMERS: Leslie Cruz (Sr., M); Caroline Wade (Sr., M); Emily Kogler (So., D); Mary Kogler (So., GK); Lindsay Williams (So., M); Ashley Deltuva (So., M)

OUTLOOK: Despite a losing record, the Knights won a playoff game for the first time in the 11 years that Deek has been coaching in the county. Now in his second year as head coach, Deek will look to raise the bar a little for the program.

“It’s not a soccer school, and you have to start from the beginning,” Deek said. “The girls had come a long way during the season.”

Deek hopes to get four or five county wins this season while cultivating a older but inexperienced team.

“We’ve got to focus on the schools we can compete with,” Deek said. “There are a few schools we can run with and surprise.”

The offense runs through White, one of the tri-captains. She’s a four-year starter that can open things up in the attacking zone.

“One player doesn’t make the team, but she can really make a difference,” Deek said.

NORTHEAST EAGLES

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 5-10-1, lost in 3A East Region semifinals to Fallston

COACH: Charlie Parks, fifth year

LEAGUE: 3A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Lindsey Saunders (Sr., F); Aubrey Quasney (Sr., M); Laura Rubin (Jr., D); Kirsten Miller (So., F); Megan Green (Jr., M); Faniette Kawaley (So., M).

NEWCOMERS: Ashleigh Taylor (Fr., M); Erica Hoehl (So., GK); Brooke Miller (So., M); Krista Ashburn (So., GK); Amber Adino (Fr., D); Destinee Bailey (Fr., M); Victoria Ernandis (Sr., D).

OUTLOOK: Parks will have to quickly mold a new crop of incoming underclassmen to replace last season’s experienced defensive unit, which saw the losses of senior goal keeper Autumn Herrin, defensive backs Heather Reynolds, Shana Galloway, and three-year All-County sweeper Jessica Brockmeyer. But the fifth year coach remains optimistic about his team’s promising future.

“We have a lot of young talent to work with, but the real challenge will be finding the right chemistry,” Parks said.

Senior Ermandis will have to use her experience to help anchor the defense’s cast of fresh faces, including Adino and Bailey, both just freshmen.

The offense will need solid contributions from senior forward Saunders and sophomore standout Kawaley at midfield.

OLD MILL PATRIOTS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-7-2, lost in 4A East Region quarterfinals to South River

COACH: Michelle Clare, fourth year

LEAGUE: 4A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Chelsea Hauswirth (Sr., M); Chrissy Walter (Sr., F); Julie Horn (Sr., F); Jessie Hofman (Sr., F); Megan Malchester (Jr., M); Kara Utter (Kr., M); Jennie Cislo (So., M).

NEWCOMERS: Carly Conley (So., D); Megan Dell (Jr., D).

OUTLOOK: Replacing last year’s veteran defense won’t be easy, so up-and-comers Conley and Dell will have to mature fast in order to fill the void left by the departures of four-year varsity fullback Rachel Harman and fullback Kierra Nicholson.

The Patriots will have a solid core of senior forwards for the upcoming season, including captains Walter and Horn.

“We really need all of our senior girls to step up this year,” Clare said. “Our captains have to emerge as true leaders in order for us to go far.”

To make up for a lack of experience on D, the Patriots will need to communicate and mesh quickly to compete with rivals Broadneck and Severna Park.

SEVERN ADMIRALS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-6-2, lost in B Conference championship to Maryvale

COACH: Adam Ritchie, ninth year

LEAGUE: IAAM B Conference

RETURNING PLAYERS: Rachel Hough (Jr., GK); Gordi Bathras (Jr., M); Kristen Boulier (Sr., F); Katie Carroll (So., D); Rachel Nock (So., D); Kathleen Dowd (Sr., F); Amanda Roche (Sr., F); Lexi Schaeffer (Sr., D); Crystal Tran (So., M); Becca Davis (Jr., M); Richa Davis (Sr., F); Christie Djordevic (Sr., D); Sarah Modlin (Jr., F)

NEWCOMERS: Abbey Ritter (Fr., M); Harmony Roche (Fr., M); Claire Rosen (Jr., F); Allie Shuh (So., GK); Beth Willertz (Fr., F)

OUTLOOK: If the Admirals are to get back to the conference finals, they’ll have to find a way to replace the production of graduated star Alex Priddy.

The first-team All-County player tallied 84 goals in her career at Severn, leaving a void in the Admirals’ offense.

“We don’t have that dominant striker that can put balls away,” Ritchie said. “In order to score we’re going to have to play more as a team to be successful. Slowly through the preseason we’ve seen that happen.”

Ritter, just a freshman, figures to be one of the team’s leading scorers, as does one of the team’s captains, Amanda Roche.

The Admirals, who return seven starters, should be solid in the midfield and in the back, especially with Hough in goal.

“We’re counting on her to keep us in every game,” Ritchie said.

SEVERNA PARK FALCONS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 15-3, 4A East Region champions, lost to C.M. Wright in 4A state semifinals

COACH: Gary Lam, eighth Year

LEAGUE: 4A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Lindsay Powell (Sr., M); Jenny Thornton (Sr., Striker); Sarah Johnson (Sr., M); Caroline Lay (Sr., D); Megan Mann (Sr., Back).

NEWCOMERS: Gabby Moreno (Fr., M).

OUTLOOK: Losing senior center halfback and offensive catalyst Samantha Novy will present problems for the Falcons as this year’s team will have an influx of young talent in contrast with last season, when Severna Park had one of the deepest rosters in the 4A region.

Returning senior Thornton had a breakout run in the state semifinals, leading the Falcons in scoring with 13 goals and three assists, but aside from Thornton, Lam will have his hands full with a roster heavy on youth and light on experience.

Moreno will help the Falcons pick up where Novy left off in the middle.

Lam will have to face the challenge of replacing eight starters from last year’s region championship squad.

“We’re basically an entirely new team,” Lam said. “Our young players must mature quick in order for us to be successful.”

SOUTH RIVER SEAHAWKS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-4-4, lost in 4A East Region quarterfinals to Severna Park

COACH: John Sis, third year

LEAGUE: 4A East

RETURNING PLAYERS: Sarah Pfundstein (Sr., F), Christine Flannigan (Sr., F), Lyndse Hokanson (Jr., GK), Colleen Crowley (Sr., CB), Sam Stone (Sr., M).

NEWCOMERS: Emily Holian (Sr., M).

OUTLOOK: Last year the Seahawks were close to competing for the top of the 4A league with Severna Park and Arundel, but this year, with twelve returning seniors and only one freshman on the roster, South River is fit to make a play for the region title.

“We’re definitely a team that has a lot of experience,” Sis said. “They know my style, and we’ve played together for three years, but now it’s all got to connect.”

All eyes will be on senior forward Pfundstein, a two-year All-County starter, who finished last season with eight goals and nine assists.

Senior transfer Holian adds even more depth to a talented roster featuring returning senior forwards Flannigan and Stone, who, along with Pfundstein, make up the Seahawks’ top offensive tandem.

This season’s core group of returning starters should help the Seahawks soar into contention for the 4A East region title.

SOUTHERN BULLDOGS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 3-10, lost in 2A South Region first round to Marriotts Ridge

COACH: Mike Smith, second year

LEAGUE: 2A South

RETURNING PLAYERS: Sam Adams (Sr., D); Kim Wayson (Sr., F); Emma Glasgow (Sr., M); Brittany Echard (Sr., M); Jaclyn Sesso (Sr., D); Ashley Smith (Sr., D).

NEWCOMERS: Kaitlyn Sorrell (Jr., F); Kathleen Sorrell (Jr., F); Emily Tiluk (So., M); Kassie Bryant (Fr., D).

OUTLOOK: Six returning Bulldog starters will give the team a chance to rebound from a 2007 season plagued by offensive drought.

First team All-County full back Adams is the heart of the Southern defense.

The offense needs retooling, and juniors Kaitlyn and Kathleen Sorrell will help add a much needed boost in the scoring department.

Wayson will be crucial to improving the Bulldogs’ attack.

“Kim is really our go-to-girl on the front line,” Smith said. “She’s very creative with the ball, and she’s a talented playmaker.”

Still, even a year later, Smith believes that his team’s biggest challenge will be putting balls in the back of the net.

“If we can find a way to score some goals, we could be very competitive this year and surprise a few teams,” Smith said.

ST. MARY’S SAINTS

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-8-4, lost in IAAM A Conference quarterfinals to John Carroll

COACH: Meredith Beard, first year

LEAGUE: IAAM A Conference

RETURNING PLAYERS: Mary Knepp (Sr., D); Cara Deegan (So., M); Carly Deegan (Sr., M); Maggie Pittman (Sr., D); Becky Rey (Sr., M/F); Gabby Gaudet (Sr., F); Megan Austin (Sr., M/F).

NEWCOMERS: Claire Andrews (So., M/F); Kelly Carney (Jr., D); Sarah Haley (Sr., D); Meghan McCarthy (So., D/M); Colleen McGee (So., F); Kayli Moore (Jr., F); Mia Muench (Fr., M); Taylor Rode (So., M); Allie Roeble (Jr., D/F); Lizzie Roeble (Jr., GK); Katie Slotterback (Jr., F); Katie Teague (Jr., GK); Amanda Thompson (So., M).

OUTLOOK: With so many changes at St. Mary’s over the offseason, including new athletic director Phil Buckingham taking over for Dave Lanham, Beard is looking for her new program to do some good things.

“It’s going to be a rebuilding, per se, with a new coach, a new athletic director, a bunch of players. It’s going to be a new season,” she said. “We’ve had some really good practices, and we’ve improved every day. I expect to look forward and get better each practice and every game.”

Andrews joins the team and will see most of her time at the outside-midfield position, along with Rey, an experienced leader.

Gaudet and Moore round out the Saints’ attack.

Lizzie Roeble, whose family moved from Georgia over the summer, is St. Mary’s starting goalkeeper, and her confidence in the box will allow Beard to relax a bit.

“She’s really confident coming off the line in breakaway,” Beard said. “She’s a great athlete. She has the ability to be an extra field player, even in the goal.”

Information for the Key School was unavailable prior to publication.