Girls' Soccer Preview
Archbishop Spalding's Erica Page (3) is second on the school's career scoring list.
(By Preston Keres -- The Washington Post)
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Around the Area
Archbishop Spalding lost two players from last year's team that lost in the IAAM A Conference semifinals to McDonogh, but they left two very large holes. Now Spalding is looking to strike back with Erica Page and sophomore goalkeeper Jocelyn McCoy. Former Spalding goalkeeper Karen Blocker set three Maryland records, including shutouts in a season (17) and career (57). . . .
Walter Johnson will rely on the leadership of All-Met forward Caroline Miller, a senior who is looking to add to her 62 career goals. The Wildcats could again see Quince Orchard in the postseason; the Cougars beat Walter Johnson by a goal in last season's region semifinals en route to the Maryland 4A title. The Cougars lost seven seniors, including four starters, but 10th-year coach Peg Keiller is happy to have junior midfielder Kayla Clarke, a second-team All-Met, running the offense again. "She's a smart distributor and the quarterback of our team," Keiller said. Keiller will have to replace last year's two top scorers, Ariel Nehemiah and Christie Shell, and she's starting with junior forward Ele Margelos, who was the team's third-leading scorer with eight goals and seven assists last season. . . .
Urbana won its first 3A title in 2007, but the Hawks are facing a couple of early obstacles this year. The big question is how All-Met Coach of the Year Chuck Nichols will deal with the absence of Julia Roberts. An All-Met midfielder last year, Roberts will miss her senior season to train with the under-17 national team for the World Cup. "We have a massive hole right in the middle of our field, in the middle of our team," Nichols said. "We're holding our own defensively, but we're going to struggle to score goals." . . .
Once again, Wilson is playing the toughest nonconference schedule in the DCIAA, with games against ISL heavyweight National Cathedral and a season opener hosting defending WCAC champion St. John's. Wilson, the DCIAA champion, lost just two players from last season's 17-2 squad. . . .
St. John's bid to remain the top-ranked team in the area will rely on several key newcomers, including freshmen Alison Stark, the team's starting right defender; Maisey McCune, the starting center midfielder; and Ally Gross, the fastest girl on the team. Junior Deja Walker, a transfer from La Plata, is expected to help fill the hole left by All-Met Player of the Year Tiffany McCarty. Senior forward Sarah Kneeland and freshman Caity Dee are expected to play similar roles. Molly Carter, a polished, athletic goalkeeper who sat for two years behind Caroline Lalley, will start for the Cadets.
Good Counsel handed the Cadets one of their few blemishes on last year's record, a 3-3 tie, and is looking to challenge in the WCAC.
-- Soraya Nadia McDonald
Player to Watch
Erica Page,
Archbishop Spalding, Senior
