photo by File

Spain Park High School senior goalkeeper Lauren Arnold will try to lead the Jaguars to a second-consecutive Class 6A championship in 2010.

Spain Park girls soccer seeking another state championship

By Wesley Hallman (Contact) | Shelby County Reporter

Published Tuesday, February 9, 2010

HOOVER — The Spain Park High School girls’ soccer team won its second Class 6A championship in five years last season.

Two titles in five years normally doesn’t label a program a dynasty, but in Jags’ case, the word seems to fit the current state of the budding girls’ soccer power.

Senior goalkeeper Lauren Arnold, who will play at Clemson University next spring, believes her team has the potential to string together a few more championships in the near future.

With 15 players returning, including 12 underclassmen, from a team that finished the 2009 season with a 23-1-3 record, it’s difficult to disagree with Arnold’s assessment.

“We’ve got a lot of young players who played a lot last year,” Arnold said. “It’s definitely going to be another good year.”

There will be one noticeable difference on the Spain Park sideline during the 2010 season. Head coach Robert Starr, who sat out the 2009 season after being ruled inelegible by the Alabama High School Athletic Association for coaching a boys’ club team in the fall of 2008, returns to the field. Starr started the girls’ soccer program at Spain Park in the spring of 2002.

Assistant coach Jonathan Weimer took over on-the-field coaching duties in 2009 and led the Jags to the state championship, but Arnold said Starr’s impact remained behind the scenes.

“There’s really no change,” Arnold said. “Coach Starr was a big part of our team last year.”

The Jaguars begin their quest for a second-consecutive championship Feb. 11.

Arnold said the goals are bigger than a second title. They’re about changing the perception of the Spain Park program.

“(Our reputation) is very important to us,” Arnold said. “Nobody understands how hard we’ve worked during the offseason.”

2010 SOCCER PREVIEW

BOYS

OAK MOUNTAIN

2009 Record: 24-3-1

Head coach: Ryan Patridge

Roster: Tyler Aderholt, Christian Adkins, Reid Biasco, Andy Cole, David DePriest, William Glass, Jay Hammond, Taylor Harris, Ryan Hennsey, John Imwalle, D.J. Jackson, Corey Johnston, Gray Johnston, Kyle Jordan, Brandt Mace, Brock Mace, Anthony McGreer, Alexander Rivera, Zach Rodivich, J.C. Sandel, Colin Sandlin, Brenton Thompson, Michael Thrasher and Daniel Wolfe

Outlook: The Eagles will have to replace all-time leading scorer Chandler Hoffman, who is now a freshman at UCLA, as well as stalwart defender Stefan Vaziri, who plays at Northern Illinois. Goalkeeper Trey Anderson is also gone. Plenty of newcomers must step up for the Eagles to remain a Class 6A championship contender.

PELHAM

2009 Record: 12-12-2

Head coach: Patrick McDonald

Roster: Tanner McGinnis, Edwin Saville, Daniel Rausch, Tyler Foss, Rami Qassab, Matt Deboalt, Gifford Usher, Giovanni Corona, David Canales, Saul Arceo, Oscar Sarmiento, Benjamin Jacks, Christian Saavedra, Alexander Swan, Phillip Dublin, Cyprin Kanneh, Kevin Caliva, Jose Espinoza, Derek Slaughter, Oscar Pineda, Hunter Payant and Ethan Wicks

Outlook: The Panthers have shown improvement every year. McDonald thinks this could be the season Pelham makes a deep run in the Class 6A playoffs. The Panthers feature a 12-man senior class, including Gifford Usher, who played in the North-South all-star game in Huntsville last summer.

SPAIN PARK

2009 Record: 6-17-3

Head coach: Joe Carter

Roster: Brandon Mullis, Connor Carlis, Collin Curry, Sami Yousif, Jack O’Neil, Drew Haight, David Meadows, Sam Holloway, Ross Blaising, Ryan Cook, Trey Powell, Chris Wright, Raul Olvera, Justin Lumpkin and Will Bondurant

Outlook: The Jaguars are looking to bounce back after a disappointing season. Spain Park will look for senior leadership from nine players, including Justin Lumpkin, who had a standout season as a kicker on the football field last fall.

THOMPSON

2009 Record: 10-13-2

Head coach: Hayley Gant

Roster: Jarred McKinney, Dylan Barrett, Aaron Baird, Chris Littrell, Zach Oglesby, Trey Jacobson, Justin Lynch, Matt Guiser, Taylor Cox, John Paul Camp, Marlon Galvez, Austin Bunch, Jordan Kenny, Eric Hubbard, Storm Holmes, Juan Garcia, Jacob Ramsey, Mario Islas, Jacob Marasckin and Yerix Morel

Outlook: The Warriors have made it to the Class 6A playoffs in each of the last three seasons. However, Thompson is still looking for its first playoff win during the stretch. Senior Justin Lynch, who has signed to play at Faulkner next season, believes the Warriors can get over the hump in 2010.

BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN

2009 Record: 18-5-4

Head coach: Mark Wallace

Roster: Justin Box, David Blackmon, William Durkee, Will Pugh, Jake Law, Davis Hill, Mitchell Bekken, John Ahn, Zach Poole, Chris Burris, Wilson Whorton, William Ball, Jackson Bentley, David Coggin, Hunter Smith, Benson Mulvaney, Zach Bekken, Kyle Paul, Connor Lee and Cooper Harrington

Outlook: The Lions, who made it to the Class 5A championship match a year ago, will be young and inexperienced this season, according to Wallace. Briarwood will suit up a lot of seniors, but most of them were playing on the junior varsity team last season.

CHELSEA

2009 Record: 11-6-2

Head coach: Lee Miller

Roster: Alex Levinson, Trent Tinsley, Chandler Byers, Justin Capers, Tyler Smitherman, Daniel Decker, Ashley Page, Dakota Dresbach, Will Bevill, Travis Mitchell, Brandon Capers, Josh Carpenter, Cody Hood, Jacob Brooks, Davey Phillips, David Russell, Chris Thacker, Russell McClinton, Austin Rikard, Jeff Dunkerley and Trey Weichman

Outlook: The Hornets have made it to the Class 5A playoffs for three straight years, and the run is likely to continue in 2010. Chelsea will be led by senior Alex Levinson, who is one of the top goalkeepers in the state. The Hornets have lined up a difficult schedule this season.

CALERA

2009 Record: 12-9

Head coach: Neal Gerhart

Roster: Christian Alverenga, Ronny Alverenga, Alejandro Bejanaro, Miguel Castanon, Alejandro Chavez, Daniel Cicio, Keith Cofer, Jacob Ferguson, T.J. Goode, Cristian Guitierrez, Luis Guitierrez, Alex Hardwick, Julio Jiron, Dylan Jones, Ryan Jones, D.L. Kirksey, Nathan Langner, Mike Lubala, Francisco Martinez. Jose Luis Martinez, Noa Peterson, Sheldon Ray, Joel Rivera, Jecsan Sanchez, Jorge Santos, Christian Schaeffer, Kelly Schaeffer, Joshua Sims, William Swift, Erick Tinajero, Kevin Tran and Vi Tran

Outlook: The Eagles are an up-and-coming program in the Class 1A-4A divison. Calera will look for leadership from senior Nathan Langner in 2010.

INDIAN SPRINGS

2009 Record: 11-7-3

Head coach: Rik Tozzi

Roster: Alex Jamroz, Chee Lee, Colin Simon, Everett Smith, Garrett Guevara, George Smith, Gregory Francavilla, Harrison King, Hart Wilson, Hunt Austill, Jake Shuford, Joseph Simonetti, Michael Pigue, Ryan McMullan, Stuart McLean, Thomas Rogerson, Trae Crocker, William Rushton, Doye Travis and Zachary Corenblum

Outlook: Indian Springs will once again be a premier program in the Class 1A-4A division. After falling short of the Final Four in 2009, a talented group of seniors are ready for a return trip to Huntsville.

GIRLS

OAK MOUNTAIN

2009 Record: 16-5-1

Head coach: Kelly Clayton

Roster: Julia Ferguson, Morgan Motes, Patie Gamer, Meredith Alexander, Jill Heaster, Richelle Byrd, Paige Hill, Ashley Davenport, Allie Mosher, Emma Gambrell, Vicki Hill, Katie West, Christina Rodriguez, Daniela Munoz, Carrie Henry, Megan Dancy, T.J. Langlois, Borden LeSieur, Marisa Tomaszewski and Shanna Brooks

Outlook: The Eagles will likely contend for a state championship in 2010 with a large senior class, which includes goalkeeper Shanna Brooks, who has signed to play at Alabama next season. Morgan Motes, a South Alabama signee, and Marisa Tomaszewski are also intimidating on the field.

PELHAM

2009 Record: 8-7-1

Head coach: Kristen Self

Roster: Natlia Alcaino, Brittany Boles, Stacey Brendemeuhl, Meagan Comer, Melissa Cooley, Hannah Dau, Selina Delgadillo, Dakota DeLuca, Mara DeLuca, Alex Garcia, Ashley Gardner, Ana Gonzalez, Ida Jakobsen, Breanna Kennedy, Catrina Kennedy, Courtney Rawden, Cassie Shiflett, Ella Swan, Peria Tena and Anna Kay Winford

Outlook: The Panthers should break the .500 mark for the second year in a row. The long-term future is bright for Pelham, which features 14 underclassmen.

SPAIN PARK

2009 Record: 23-1-3

Head coach: Robert Starr

Roster: Schyler Arnold, Lauren Arnold, Kristen Spence, Melissa Kolazyk, Madeline Hughes, Taylor Bisso, Simone Charley, Courtney Newton, Alex Gaskins, Annalika Steyn, Haven Eddy, Lakin Eddy, Cavanagh Baker, Emily Howell, Jenna Pickering, Grace Connolly and Abby Brunner

Outlook: The defending Class 6A champions are likely to repeat in 2010. Senior goalkeeper Lauren Arnold, who will play at Clemson next year, will provide leadership. Forwards Annalika Steyn and Simone Charley are extremely talented players for their age.

THOMPSON

2009 Record: 13-7-2

Head coach: Nathan Button

Roster: Mallory Bubbett, Kacey Chance, Nikoal Clark, Molly Cline, Kelsey Ferguson, Kristen Gehring, Michaela Graber, Tatum Harless, Kayela Hill, Alyssa Mayer, Brooke Megois, Mary Milliron, Danielle Morris, Emilie Morrow, Hannah Oglesby, Hannah Parker, Kathleen Pohl, Madison Thomas and Alli Watts

Outlook: The Warriors, who lost to Oak Mountain in the first round of the playoffs in 2009, have a shot to advance in the Class 6A playoffs this season. Thompson will be led by Kasey Chance, who will play at Judson College next year.

BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN

2009 Record: 12-9-2

Head coach: Ryan Leib

Roster: Ashleigh Cutcliffe, Cayla Drennen, A.K. Hall, Elizabeth Reiser, Callie Richie, Edrian Woods, Julia Hoke, Morgan Grubb, Leanne Holliman, Ally Jennings, Amanda Smeltzer, Marie Tucker, Abbie Cutcliffe, Sara Smeltzer, Catherine Cowena and Marjie McKelvey

Outlook: The Lions have gone two seasons without a Class 5A championship, which is a long time for a program with seven titles in school history. Briarwood should once again be in contention for a state title this season.

CHELSEA

2009 Record: 7-10-1

Head coach: Jonathan Hammett

Roster: Alexis Bahr, Aliyah Bradford, Amanda Weygand, Ashleigh Niven, Ashley Mitchell, Emily Goodall, Iyani Hughes, Kayla Ogletree, Lauren Swee, Leslie Martindale, Madison Gowins, Mara Roberts, Maya Hughes, Olivia Bowman, Holly Page, Perri Lambert and Stephanie Labeau

Outlook: The Hornets will likely hover around the .500 mark again in 2010. Chelsea will be led by seniors Lauren Swee and Perri Lambert.

CALERA

2009 Record: 3-6

Head coach: Neal Gerhart

Roster: Katie Burch, Janet Castanon, Britt Cawthon, Jaylin Davis, Hillary Dunkling, Lauren Fields, Alexia Figueroa, Chassyte Fletcher, Jessica Ford, Doreen Fweta, Naial Gonzalez, Kirsten Hamilton, Michelle Lopez, Annabelle Maass, Katie McCormick, Michaela Parker, Jenia Parker, Sydney Ray, Qaterannada Rehan, Emily Rhinehart, Jen Richardson, Nataly Rivera, Bethany Rogers, Alyssa Rolfe, Aiden Ryan, Caitlin Ryan, Meghan Ryan, Caro Sanchez and Emily Sanchez

Outlook: It's all about gaining experience for the youthful Eagles, who will be led by captain Hillary Dunkling. Calera will likely struggle again this season, but the Eagles will soon post a winning record.

INDIAN SPRINGS

2009 Record: 15-7-2

Head coach: Hunter Gray

Roster: Aurian Eghbalian, Carol Hogan, Catherine Pihakis, Dabney Hofammann, Erin McMinn, Julia Fawal, Laura McMullan, Lauren Parker, Madison Turner, Rachel Peters, Riley Turner, Sara Clark, Sarah Hook, Savanna Freeze, Sunny Poyner, Sydney Lash, Temple Cox and Virginia Smith

Outlook: Indian Springs, an annual contender for the Class 1A-4A championship, will be at the top again in 2010. Indian Springs will be led by senior Sarah Hook, who will play collegiately at Vanderbilt next season.

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