The Class 1 and Class 2 Coaches from the Central Region have compiled their preseason picks.
Preseason All Area Team
GK – Annie Streumph (Helias)
D – Liz Gayer (Hickman), Caty Newbold (Helias), Jeanna Ross (RB), Caitlyn Guerrant (Fulton),
MF – Alex Litofsky (RB), Shawn Beard (Moberly), Melissa Young (Helias), Latea LaRue (Camdenton), Sarah Hotop (Mexico), Tillie Bill (SBC)
F – Kelsey Sanders (JC), Ashley Russell (Fulton), Lauren Kelly (RB), Andie Wiesner (Moberly)
Honorable Mention: Blaire Baker (Camdenton), Danielle Baumgartner (Helias), Molly Cowley (JC)
Class 2 District 10 Preview:
The Class 2 District 10 race has arguably been the most competitive in the state and this year will be no different as each of the six teams can make a significant run at a district title. One thing that should make this district interesting – three first-year coaches and one second-year coach out of the six district teams. The District 10 winner will more than likely play state power Incarnate Word Academy in a sectional game this May. IWA won its district last year in record-setting fashion – 15-0 over Gateway – en route to a second place finish in Class 2. Incarnate returns two of the top players in the nation and was ranked nationally for the majority of 2007. The Rock Bridge Bruins are defending District champions.
1. Rock Bridge (11-7-5)
2. Helias (12-6)
3. Jefferson City (17-5-2)
4. Hickman (8-11-4)
5. Smith-Cotton (14-7-2)
6. Camdenton (12-12)
Class 1, District 10 Preview:
Defending champ Moberly has all the ingredients to repeat. The Spartans return 10 starters from the team that knocked off upstart Mexico 3-1 in last year’s final after Mexico had surprised defending champ Hannibal in the semifinals. Moberly MF Shawn Beard is one of the smoothest players in the area and she will have plenty around her to work with as coach Robbie Murray will try to repeat his successful fall season. Mexico MF Sarah Hotop will lead Brad Ellebracht’s rapidly improving Bulldog team. Fulton had its best season in school history, but will lose the area’s leading scorer in Jessica Martin. The Hornets do return 1st Team NCMC players F Ashley Russell and D Caitlyn Guerrant. Kirksville played everyone tough, but also loses key field player Rebekah Blankenship. The Tigers return 1st Team NCMC GK Mackenzie Kelly who has the ability to keep her team in any match. Southern Boone and second-year team Canton round out the district for one more year before both teams head to Class 1 next season. Southern Boone’s sophomore MF Tillie Bill will lead a young Eagles team that should also benefit from the addition of senior Courtney Branch, who is playing her first year of soccer. Hannibal lost a solid group of seniors, but will return F Elise Bensman and GK Whitney Voepel to a team that has shared conference and district dominance with Moberly over the past few years. The district winner will more than likely face defending Class 1 state champ St. Dominic in the sectional game.
