FALL PREVIEW-Seaside Girls Soccer
LEAGUE: 4A/3A/2A/1A Special District 1
How tough is this district? Just look at the list of state champions. See any teams not in District 1? And guess what? It just got tougher. Gone are bottom-feeding programs Corbett and Portland Christian, replaced by Valley Catholic, a contending team in perhaps the second toughest district in the state, and Yamhill-Carlton, which will struggle to compete against the top teams, but should provide more competition than Corbett or PC.
HEAD COACH: Dave Rouse (14th year)
ASST COACHES: Jon Hickman
Consistency and stability are hallmarks of the Seaside soccer programs. Rouse, mayor of Cannon Beach in his day job, is heavily involved in all levels of youth soccer and it shows with polished players ready to contribute when they get to high school.
2005 RECORD: 10-6 (5-2 Special District 1 3rd place)
PLAYOFFS:reached state 2nd round, lost at Hidden Valley 2-0
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: none
LAST PLAYOFF WIN: won 7-4 at Ontario in state 1st round
A senior-heavy group of Gulls finished behind only traditional powers Catlin Gabel and Oregon Episcopal in 2005, but saw their season come to an end in disappointing fashion in a physical, 2-0 loss at Hidden Valley. The young Vikings carried that momentum all the way into the finals before losing to O.E.S. Both teams return many key players and could be primed for a rematch, while the Gulls have some rebuilding to do.
CURRENT COLLEGE/PRO ATHLETES: Stephanie Chesnut (George Fox-soccer), Jacki Bermingham (Dakota Wesleyan-soccer), Melissa Owens (Portland St.-cross country)
KEY GRAUDUATES/LOSSES:Owens (D/MF), Bermingham (F), Chesnut (D), Micah Cerelli (MF/F), Allie Brady (MF), Abby Frank (F), Julie Nelson (GK), D.J. Koch (D), Alice Stewart (D)
The Gulls take a huge graduation hit. Cerelli, Owens and Nelson were all four-year starters and nearly all of their nine graduated seniors earned four letters. Cerelli, Brady, Owens and Nelson were among the top at their positions in the district.
RETURNING ALL-STARS: Laura Romine (Sr., F-1st team Cowapa)
RETURNING STARTERS: Patricia Doyle (Sr., MF), Brittany Rekate (Sr., D), Sarah Weber (Sr., F/MF), Marla Olstedt (Jr., MF)
RETURNING LETTERMEN: 11
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Maya Dooley (Jr., MF), Brittany Cave (Jr., D), Jamie Hughes (Sr., F), Camille Brady (Sr., MF), Ceara Lewis (So.)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Selah Meyer (Sr., MF-started as soph), Monica Mitchell (Sr., D-hasn't played for 2 years)
Although the Gulls failed to match a 2004 state quarterfinal appearance, losing in the second round to a physical Hidden Valley team, last year's team was probably the strongest squad Seaside has ever put on the field. In most year's, that will get you second place in the district, if not third. Girls soccer in this neck of the woods is still dominated by the private Portland powers Catlin Gabel and Oregon Episcopal School who, between them, have won every state championship game ever contested at this level.
This year, its probably not accurate to say that Seaside is rebuilding, because they will still be dominated by seniors. And with a couple of talented freshman learning on the J.V.'s this year and a strong 8th grade class on the way, it appears that the Gulls should maintain their status as the top public program in the district for the forseeable future.
Laura Romine leads a group of eight seniors who could see significant playing time in '06. Romine, overshadowed by the likes of Micah Cerelli, Abby Frank and Jacki Bermingham up front, still scored 15 goals for the Gulls in '05 and looks to be a stronger player this year. The Gulls have no returning all-District 1 players, but Romine was tabbed for the Cowapa League first team for her efforts. Joining Romine at the forward positions are seniors Sarah Weber and Jamie Hughes.
Weber will also see time in the midfield, joined by fellow seniors Patricia Doyle and Camille Brady and talented junior athlete Marla Olstedt on the wing. The Gulls midfield will be buoyed by the return of senior Selah Meyer, a starter in '04 who spent last season out of the country. Meyer will play the center midfield position while '05 reserve Maya Dooley also looks to crack the starting lineup as a left side wing.
The most rebuilding will take place on the back line where the Gulls lost nearly everybody, including 4-year standouts Mel Owens and goalkeeper Julie Nelson. Brittany Rekate is the most experienced returner, but a preseason injury may sideline her at the beginning of the season. Brittany Cave, a junior, saw action last year, but after that its all new faces. Junior Jennifer Bletscher will step into a starting role and coach Rouse hopes senior Monica Mitchell can make a positive contribution after two years away from the game. The Gulls will also break in a new goalkeeper in sophomore Rebecca Lent.
TEAM STRENGTH: good athletes, strong up front and midfield
WEAKNESS:rebuilding back line, inexperienced goalie
TOP DISTRICT CONTENDERS: O.E.S., Valley Catholic
PROJECTED FINISH: depends on strength of Catlin and V.C.
Despite the loss of all that talent, the Gulls should still contend for a state playoff spot and finish ahead of the rest of the public schools (Astoria, Rainier, Scappoose, Yamhill-Carlton). O.E.S. could run roughshod over the rest of the district this year. Catlin is not as strong as recent years, but still has the resources and tradition on its side. It may come down to the Valley Catholic matchup to determine the Gulls postseason prospects.
How tough is this district? Just look at the list of state champions. See any teams not in District 1? And guess what? It just got tougher. Gone are bottom-feeding programs Corbett and Portland Christian, replaced by Valley Catholic, a contending team in perhaps the second toughest district in the state, and Yamhill-Carlton, which will struggle to compete against the top teams, but should provide more competition than Corbett or PC.
HEAD COACH: Dave Rouse (14th year)
ASST COACHES: Jon Hickman
Consistency and stability are hallmarks of the Seaside soccer programs. Rouse, mayor of Cannon Beach in his day job, is heavily involved in all levels of youth soccer and it shows with polished players ready to contribute when they get to high school.
2005 RECORD: 10-6 (5-2 Special District 1 3rd place)
PLAYOFFS:reached state 2nd round, lost at Hidden Valley 2-0
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: none
LAST PLAYOFF WIN: won 7-4 at Ontario in state 1st round
A senior-heavy group of Gulls finished behind only traditional powers Catlin Gabel and Oregon Episcopal in 2005, but saw their season come to an end in disappointing fashion in a physical, 2-0 loss at Hidden Valley. The young Vikings carried that momentum all the way into the finals before losing to O.E.S. Both teams return many key players and could be primed for a rematch, while the Gulls have some rebuilding to do.
CURRENT COLLEGE/PRO ATHLETES: Stephanie Chesnut (George Fox-soccer), Jacki Bermingham (Dakota Wesleyan-soccer), Melissa Owens (Portland St.-cross country)
KEY GRAUDUATES/LOSSES:Owens (D/MF), Bermingham (F), Chesnut (D), Micah Cerelli (MF/F), Allie Brady (MF), Abby Frank (F), Julie Nelson (GK), D.J. Koch (D), Alice Stewart (D)
The Gulls take a huge graduation hit. Cerelli, Owens and Nelson were all four-year starters and nearly all of their nine graduated seniors earned four letters. Cerelli, Brady, Owens and Nelson were among the top at their positions in the district.
RETURNING ALL-STARS: Laura Romine (Sr., F-1st team Cowapa)
RETURNING STARTERS: Patricia Doyle (Sr., MF), Brittany Rekate (Sr., D), Sarah Weber (Sr., F/MF), Marla Olstedt (Jr., MF)
RETURNING LETTERMEN: 11
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Maya Dooley (Jr., MF), Brittany Cave (Jr., D), Jamie Hughes (Sr., F), Camille Brady (Sr., MF), Ceara Lewis (So.)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Selah Meyer (Sr., MF-started as soph), Monica Mitchell (Sr., D-hasn't played for 2 years)
Although the Gulls failed to match a 2004 state quarterfinal appearance, losing in the second round to a physical Hidden Valley team, last year's team was probably the strongest squad Seaside has ever put on the field. In most year's, that will get you second place in the district, if not third. Girls soccer in this neck of the woods is still dominated by the private Portland powers Catlin Gabel and Oregon Episcopal School who, between them, have won every state championship game ever contested at this level.
This year, its probably not accurate to say that Seaside is rebuilding, because they will still be dominated by seniors. And with a couple of talented freshman learning on the J.V.'s this year and a strong 8th grade class on the way, it appears that the Gulls should maintain their status as the top public program in the district for the forseeable future.
Laura Romine leads a group of eight seniors who could see significant playing time in '06. Romine, overshadowed by the likes of Micah Cerelli, Abby Frank and Jacki Bermingham up front, still scored 15 goals for the Gulls in '05 and looks to be a stronger player this year. The Gulls have no returning all-District 1 players, but Romine was tabbed for the Cowapa League first team for her efforts. Joining Romine at the forward positions are seniors Sarah Weber and Jamie Hughes.
Weber will also see time in the midfield, joined by fellow seniors Patricia Doyle and Camille Brady and talented junior athlete Marla Olstedt on the wing. The Gulls midfield will be buoyed by the return of senior Selah Meyer, a starter in '04 who spent last season out of the country. Meyer will play the center midfield position while '05 reserve Maya Dooley also looks to crack the starting lineup as a left side wing.
The most rebuilding will take place on the back line where the Gulls lost nearly everybody, including 4-year standouts Mel Owens and goalkeeper Julie Nelson. Brittany Rekate is the most experienced returner, but a preseason injury may sideline her at the beginning of the season. Brittany Cave, a junior, saw action last year, but after that its all new faces. Junior Jennifer Bletscher will step into a starting role and coach Rouse hopes senior Monica Mitchell can make a positive contribution after two years away from the game. The Gulls will also break in a new goalkeeper in sophomore Rebecca Lent.
TEAM STRENGTH: good athletes, strong up front and midfield
WEAKNESS:rebuilding back line, inexperienced goalie
TOP DISTRICT CONTENDERS: O.E.S., Valley Catholic
PROJECTED FINISH: depends on strength of Catlin and V.C.
Despite the loss of all that talent, the Gulls should still contend for a state playoff spot and finish ahead of the rest of the public schools (Astoria, Rainier, Scappoose, Yamhill-Carlton). O.E.S. could run roughshod over the rest of the district this year. Catlin is not as strong as recent years, but still has the resources and tradition on its side. It may come down to the Valley Catholic matchup to determine the Gulls postseason prospects.
posted by Matt Richert at 9:10 AM
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