Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008
by Jennifer Beekman | Staff Writer
A year ago, the Quince Orchard girls soccer team avenged its 2006 state final loss with its first crown since 2002. The two-time defending Class 4A West Region champion Cougars (9-2-0), seeded third in this year's regional tournament slated to begin Thursday, are again a team to watch in the '08 postseason.
But parity runs deep in the bracket this time around. There are a number of teams looking to prove they're worthy of a shot at states, too, including top-seeded Walter Johnson (10-1-0), No. 2 Blair (10-1-0), No. 4 Blake (8-2-1) and dangerous floaters such as Whitman (7-3-0), Wootton (6-4-1), Northwest (6-4-1) and Churchill (5-5-1).
Walter Johnson, looking for its first state appearance since 2002 and second overall, has the county's best scorer at its disposal in senior forward Caroline Miller (24 goals). Strong backs such as Mitra Ebrahimi, Tess Petesch and Chaucia Sydnor, have locked down opposing offenses and gotten the ball up to Miller quickly.
The Wildcats' all-time scoring leader is not alone, complemented up top by junior Catherine Madden and freshman Caroline Haggerty.
Contrarily, Blair has had its success playing with just one striker. Sophomore Sofie Read (17 goals) has replaced three-year leading scorer, senior Annie Worden, as Blair's go-to target up top.
But that's allowed Worden to drop back and help control the midfield alongside talented freshman Jamie Kator. Blair boasts fantastic overall team speed and a stingy defense; the Blazers have outscored their opponents, 44-10.
Quince Orchard is powered by a speedy and balanced attack. The Cougars' possession-style offense is helmed by juniors Ele Margelos, Leah Prentice and Yvonne Latour, who have each scored seven goals. Classmate Kayla Clarke has eight assists from the midfield, where senior Lane Kurkjian is another key cog.
The bad news for the Cougars is that starting defender Heather Amato is out for the season with a knee injury.
Blake is powered by speed and short, efficient passing. Scoring is spread among six players who each have at least six goals. Seniors Liza Sitz and Sarah Levitt lead the way with seven each, while senior defender Maureen Madden can also move up.
Whitman boasts one of the strongest midfields in the county, anchored by seniors Retha Koefoed (2 goals, 2 assists) and Meaghan Doherty (4 assists) and junior Emma Bethel (1, 6). Lucy Arledge (5 goals) leads Whitman's attack.
However, the Vikings must eliminate the frequent concentration lapses that dogged them through the regular season.
Northwest looks as good headed into this postseason as it has in more than seven years. The Jaguars shouldn't be overlooked; all four of their losses were one-goal defeats. Led by junior Cindy Beard (7 goals) and sophomore Sheridan Allen (6), they thrive on speed and possession.
Churchill and Wootton have struggled to compensate for their inexperience. But Wootton is always a threat with junior Allison Yeager in the middle and Churchill, led by Kelly Foster and Jackie Nolan, is just as dangerous.
Check ww.gazette.net/montsports for exact dates and times
First round (Oct. 23-24)
No. 13 Sherwood at No. 4 Blake
No. 12 Springbrook at No. 5 Magruder
No. 11 Wootton at No. 6 Northwest
No. 10 Churchill at No. 7 Richard Montgomery
No. 9 Whitman at No. 8 Gaithersburg
Quarterfinals (Oct. 28)
Whitman or Gaithersburg at No. 1 Walter Johnson
Churchill or Richard Montgomery at No. 2 Blair
Wootton or Northwest at No. 3 Quince Orchard
Sherwood or Blake vs. Springbrook or Magruder
Semifinals
Friday, Oct. 31, matchups TBD
Final
Tuesday, Nov. 4
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