Girls' Soccer Preview
BAINBRIDGE-GUILFORD
This year may be the culmination of a four-year process in which B-G has transformed from young and overmatched, to experienced and among the top teams in the league.
Head coach Cindy Cifone said nine seniors make up this year’s club, and most have been with her on the varsity since their freshman and sophomore seasons. “We’re looking for a lot of progress this year and a lot more success,” Cifone said.
Fourth-year starting goalie, Megan Ferrara, is back on defense; fullbacks Taylor Palmatier and Taylor Cannistra are also fourth-year players to give the Bobcats a formidable defense.
On the offensive side, Cifone is pointing toward junior Cassidy Graham and Kylie O’Hara as playmakers.
“The team has more confidence now,” Cifone said. “It was a big jump for these kids from modified to varsity three years ago, but it’s been a big learning experience for all of them…making the sectionals this year would be awesome.”
GILBERTSVILLE-MT. UPTON
Meghan Benoit, whose first stint has head soccer coach was 10 years ago, returns to the head spot after several seasons away. Since her last season with the Raiders, the team has made the playoffs twice and had one sectional finals appearance. “I’m fortunate to have a great group of girls to coach this year, and they are being very patient with me and my ideas and approaches to the game of soccer,” Benoit said.
Four seniors lead G-MU this year led by Taylor Nichols, Autumn Butler, and Jenna Backhuizen on the offense end, and Meghan Meers on the defensive side. Sophomore Rylee D’Addezio brings skill and stamina to the midfield, and juniors Kelsey Ross, Lexus Coughlin, and Elle MacPherson strengthen the defense.
The last line of defense is junior keeper Katie Schultes, another veteran player from last year. “I’m excited by what I am seeing in the preseason with the speed, work ethic, and eagerness to learn to be better soccer players,” Benoit said. “Honestly, my expectations for the girls is to have fun, learn new things about the game of soccer, and discover new strengths about themselves as soccer players.”
GREENE
Greene has had just two varsity head coaches in the program’s history, and Mary McBride becomes the third as she succeeds Brandy Stone. McBride was an assistant under Stone when the Trojans won the Midstate Athletic Conference league championship three years ago, and has been actively involved at all levels of soccer for the past nine years.
What McBride will miss is the prolific scoring of graduated senior Paige Wilcox, the school’s all-time leading scorer, and likely Chenango County’s all-time scoring leader. “It’s different every year and we have a nice bunch of girls,” McBride said. “The girls realize Paige is gone and it’s no longer Paige’s team. We will have to work together to be a better team.”
Offensively, senior sniper J.B. Taft leads the way, Junior sweeper Maria Brown started on defense as a sophomore, and incoming freshman Grace Retz has proven worthy of her varsity promotion. Retz will likely start every game on the front line, McBride said, while sophomore Kayla Page steps into a key position in the midfield.
Perhaps the most welcomed addition is first-time soccer player, 6-foot junior Katie Carey. Already a distinguished basketball player, McBride has put Carey in the keeper spot. “She’s picking up things well,” McBride said of Carey. “She’s athletic and covers a lot of ground. She’ll be pretty good.”
NORWICH
After spending several years as an assistant coach at Bainbridge-Guilford and last year for Norwich’s boys, Adam Sprague takes over the head coaching duties for the Tornado.
Sprague has brought a youthful enthusiasm to the position, and has young coaches working at every level for the Tornado. “Right now, we’re just trying to build up the program,” Sprague said. “We have young coaches that are excited to coach, and that’s a big difference from what we’ve seen in the past. Everybody is locked into making something special.”
Junior goalie Kassidy Seary anchors the defense, and is more of a vocal presence as a leader, Sprague said. Added experience comes from Alyssa Welch at forward, Savannah Williams, who is returning to soccer after a one-year absence, senior Carin Kuhn in the midfield, and junior defenders Shannon Moore and Shelby Benjamin.
Sprague said his team has plenty of athleticism, and it’s his hope that will translate to wins on the field. “Really, it’s about soccer knowledge and building a strong soccer base,” Sprague said, “and developing a comfort level over the course of the season.”
OXFORD
Oxford waited all season long in 2013 for that elusive victory, and did indeed end on a high note with that lone “W.”
For most of the season, Oxford was on its heels and playing out of its defensive zone in an effort to withstand the opponent’s offensive surges. A key to changing that, said head coach Kathleen Cragle, will be more possession of the ball. “We have to be more offensive-minded this season,” Cragle said. “We spent way too much time playing defense.”
Six of Cragle’s players return with starting experience. Cheyanne Moore and sophomore Dallas Beang have experience on offense; Carly Bates and Sarah Pratt are returning defenders; junior Rachel Seiler is back at keeper, and junior Amy Branham is the lone experienced midfielder.
“We hope to be more competitive this year,” Cragle said. “We have quite a few freshmen and young players. They’re picking up things quickly, and we want to build off the end of last year when we were more competitive.”
SHERBURNE-EARLVILLE
A sectional playoff appearance came out of last year’s group that often struggled to put the ball in the net. The Marauders scored eight goals in their scrimmage, and added nine goals in their two-game home tournament last weekend, so scoring may not be the issue this season.
“I had no idea where we were before the scrimmage,” said head coach Kylie Davis. “We’re small and have some early-season injuries, but we’re working together well.”
Returning starter Megan Bohnert may be out for the season, and junior Savannah Irwin, last year’s top scorer, will be available for just limited minutes on a game-to-game basis due to a lingering injury.
Up front, Davis has a potent sophomore contingent with Molly Karaman and Taylor Coughlin showing a scoring touch, along with Lexi Elderkin. Colleen Bradley, a defender most of her career, moves up to center midfield. Also slated in the midfield is senior Allie LoPresti. Irwin, who will manage perhaps five to ten minutes a game, will always be an offensive threat whenever she is on the field.
“We have kids that are hungry to score, and if can get the ball to our scorers, we’ll be okay,” Davis said.
On defense, the team is led by experienced Stacia Beckwith, one of the team captains. Madeline DuBois returns as a defensive midfielder as does Shanae Wright in goal. “Honestly, I don’t know where we’ll end up in the league,” Davis said. “I always think we can win the league, and I think .500 or better is realistic. We’re playing for that banner (for a division championship), but this is a different team from last year. To win games with this group would be pretty awesome.”
Editor’s note: Unadilla Valley’s preseason information was not available prior to the printing of this publication.
–– Patrick Newell
This year may be the culmination of a four-year process in which B-G has transformed from young and overmatched, to experienced and among the top teams in the league.
Head coach Cindy Cifone said nine seniors make up this year’s club, and most have been with her on the varsity since their freshman and sophomore seasons. “We’re looking for a lot of progress this year and a lot more success,” Cifone said.
Fourth-year starting goalie, Megan Ferrara, is back on defense; fullbacks Taylor Palmatier and Taylor Cannistra are also fourth-year players to give the Bobcats a formidable defense.
On the offensive side, Cifone is pointing toward junior Cassidy Graham and Kylie O’Hara as playmakers.
“The team has more confidence now,” Cifone said. “It was a big jump for these kids from modified to varsity three years ago, but it’s been a big learning experience for all of them…making the sectionals this year would be awesome.”
GILBERTSVILLE-MT. UPTON
Meghan Benoit, whose first stint has head soccer coach was 10 years ago, returns to the head spot after several seasons away. Since her last season with the Raiders, the team has made the playoffs twice and had one sectional finals appearance. “I’m fortunate to have a great group of girls to coach this year, and they are being very patient with me and my ideas and approaches to the game of soccer,” Benoit said.
Four seniors lead G-MU this year led by Taylor Nichols, Autumn Butler, and Jenna Backhuizen on the offense end, and Meghan Meers on the defensive side. Sophomore Rylee D’Addezio brings skill and stamina to the midfield, and juniors Kelsey Ross, Lexus Coughlin, and Elle MacPherson strengthen the defense.
The last line of defense is junior keeper Katie Schultes, another veteran player from last year. “I’m excited by what I am seeing in the preseason with the speed, work ethic, and eagerness to learn to be better soccer players,” Benoit said. “Honestly, my expectations for the girls is to have fun, learn new things about the game of soccer, and discover new strengths about themselves as soccer players.”
GREENE
Greene has had just two varsity head coaches in the program’s history, and Mary McBride becomes the third as she succeeds Brandy Stone. McBride was an assistant under Stone when the Trojans won the Midstate Athletic Conference league championship three years ago, and has been actively involved at all levels of soccer for the past nine years.
What McBride will miss is the prolific scoring of graduated senior Paige Wilcox, the school’s all-time leading scorer, and likely Chenango County’s all-time scoring leader. “It’s different every year and we have a nice bunch of girls,” McBride said. “The girls realize Paige is gone and it’s no longer Paige’s team. We will have to work together to be a better team.”
Offensively, senior sniper J.B. Taft leads the way, Junior sweeper Maria Brown started on defense as a sophomore, and incoming freshman Grace Retz has proven worthy of her varsity promotion. Retz will likely start every game on the front line, McBride said, while sophomore Kayla Page steps into a key position in the midfield.
Perhaps the most welcomed addition is first-time soccer player, 6-foot junior Katie Carey. Already a distinguished basketball player, McBride has put Carey in the keeper spot. “She’s picking up things well,” McBride said of Carey. “She’s athletic and covers a lot of ground. She’ll be pretty good.”
NORWICH
After spending several years as an assistant coach at Bainbridge-Guilford and last year for Norwich’s boys, Adam Sprague takes over the head coaching duties for the Tornado.
Sprague has brought a youthful enthusiasm to the position, and has young coaches working at every level for the Tornado. “Right now, we’re just trying to build up the program,” Sprague said. “We have young coaches that are excited to coach, and that’s a big difference from what we’ve seen in the past. Everybody is locked into making something special.”
Junior goalie Kassidy Seary anchors the defense, and is more of a vocal presence as a leader, Sprague said. Added experience comes from Alyssa Welch at forward, Savannah Williams, who is returning to soccer after a one-year absence, senior Carin Kuhn in the midfield, and junior defenders Shannon Moore and Shelby Benjamin.
Sprague said his team has plenty of athleticism, and it’s his hope that will translate to wins on the field. “Really, it’s about soccer knowledge and building a strong soccer base,” Sprague said, “and developing a comfort level over the course of the season.”
OXFORD
Oxford waited all season long in 2013 for that elusive victory, and did indeed end on a high note with that lone “W.”
For most of the season, Oxford was on its heels and playing out of its defensive zone in an effort to withstand the opponent’s offensive surges. A key to changing that, said head coach Kathleen Cragle, will be more possession of the ball. “We have to be more offensive-minded this season,” Cragle said. “We spent way too much time playing defense.”
Six of Cragle’s players return with starting experience. Cheyanne Moore and sophomore Dallas Beang have experience on offense; Carly Bates and Sarah Pratt are returning defenders; junior Rachel Seiler is back at keeper, and junior Amy Branham is the lone experienced midfielder.
“We hope to be more competitive this year,” Cragle said. “We have quite a few freshmen and young players. They’re picking up things quickly, and we want to build off the end of last year when we were more competitive.”
SHERBURNE-EARLVILLE
A sectional playoff appearance came out of last year’s group that often struggled to put the ball in the net. The Marauders scored eight goals in their scrimmage, and added nine goals in their two-game home tournament last weekend, so scoring may not be the issue this season.
“I had no idea where we were before the scrimmage,” said head coach Kylie Davis. “We’re small and have some early-season injuries, but we’re working together well.”
Returning starter Megan Bohnert may be out for the season, and junior Savannah Irwin, last year’s top scorer, will be available for just limited minutes on a game-to-game basis due to a lingering injury.
Up front, Davis has a potent sophomore contingent with Molly Karaman and Taylor Coughlin showing a scoring touch, along with Lexi Elderkin. Colleen Bradley, a defender most of her career, moves up to center midfield. Also slated in the midfield is senior Allie LoPresti. Irwin, who will manage perhaps five to ten minutes a game, will always be an offensive threat whenever she is on the field.
“We have kids that are hungry to score, and if can get the ball to our scorers, we’ll be okay,” Davis said.
On defense, the team is led by experienced Stacia Beckwith, one of the team captains. Madeline DuBois returns as a defensive midfielder as does Shanae Wright in goal. “Honestly, I don’t know where we’ll end up in the league,” Davis said. “I always think we can win the league, and I think .500 or better is realistic. We’re playing for that banner (for a division championship), but this is a different team from last year. To win games with this group would be pretty awesome.”
Editor’s note: Unadilla Valley’s preseason information was not available prior to the printing of this publication.
–– Patrick Newell
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