Miranda Olson takes over in goal for the Seaside girls soccer team, which lost all-state keeper Becca Lent to graduation. GARY HENLEY — The Daily Astorian
Seaside Girls Soccer
Coach: Dave Rouse, 16th year
2008: 8-5-2 (4-3-1 District 1)
Playoffs: Lost at Catlin Gabel in districts, 2-0.
All-League Losses: Becca Lent, GK of the Year; Ceara Lewis, 1st team.
All-League Returners: (First Team) Kai Davidson, Jr.; Linsey Johnson, Jr. April Cockcroft, HM; Stephanie Hanthorn, HM.
Question marks surrounded the Seaside girls soccer program, as the Gulls began fall practice last month.
Can they replace all-state goalkeeper Becca Lent?
What happens if they lose leading scorer Kai Davidson to a knee injury?
And of course the one question they have every year: Can the Gulls challenge the district's Big Three for a state playoff spot?
Sometimes the answer is yes, but it's always a challenge. The 2009 season will be no different.
THE LEAGUE
Catlin Gabel, Oregon Episcopal, Valley Catholic - and now possibly Faith Bible - will battle each other for the top spot in a crowded district.
In his 16th year as Seaside's head coach, Dave Rouse gave his early-season assessment:
"Astoria lost a ton. They bring back a few, but basically their starting lineup is gone. There's going to be a lot of pressure on some of those players. They're in a building year.
"Scappoose might be stronger this year. It's kind of an unknown how they will be," he said. "Yamhill lost a couple strong players. The private schools - Catlin Gabel and OES - basically lost nothing. They bring everybody back. At least Valley Catholic lost a couple players, and they might not be as strong."
The league has added Banks and Faith Bible, while Tillamook and Rainier will battle to stay out of the district cellar.
"Banks could be a surprise," Rouse said. "They had all freshmen last year. Rainier lost their speedster, Beth Murphy.
"There's some unknowns," he added. "We don't know what Faith Bible is going to be like, because they joined with another private school.
"In theory I would say that Yamhill and we will be fighting it out for the Cowapa League championship, and see if we can get a spot in the state tournament."
THE PLAYERS
Team leadership will not be a problem for the Gulls this year.
Five experienced seniors will be on the field, as Clara Broderick, April Cockcroft, Jessica Gilligan, Stephanie Hanthorn and Anna Toyas return for their final seasons.
Behind the seniors, the Gulls have a large experienced junior class, led by first-team all-league players Kai Davidson and Linsey Johnson.
"The kids are working hard, and have great attitudes," Rouse said. "We have a lot of girls who are definitely improved over last year."
In addition to three seniors lost, the Gulls will be without juniors Erin Chapman and Leigh Wells, who are on the foreign-exchange program.
In addition, "We don't know if Kai can play," Rouse said the second week of practice. "She's been told she has a PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) tear, and hasn't been able to practice.
"Kai is our leading scorer, basically. She and April had equal goal numbers, and Kai had more assists. That would be tough to lose her."
Still, the Gulls have matured in the midfield with a number of juniors and seniors.
"And we have one sophomore (Stephanie Camberg) who looks very strong and could be playing for a starting position," Rouse said. "We could have a good year. It's not that we didn't lose anything, but I think we have some girls who can step up and fill those spots. Once we start playing games, we'll find out."
And taking over for Lent in goal - Miranda Olson.
"She started midway through the year at the JV level," Rouse said. "She's worked hard over the summer, coming down here several times a week. It's hard to fill Becca's shoes.
"Astoria is in the same boat (having lost Elizabeth Coggins). Becca built herself into a fabulous keeper.
"For years, we always had a keeper coming up who we hardly had to work with. Julie (Nelson), Martha (Francis), Jodi (Symonds), Erin Reilly, Alix Daggatt - we've always had strong keepers."
Elsewhere, Johnson enters her third year as starter in the middle. Stormy Bruneau is stronger this year, after a solid 2008; and Rouse has moved Hanthorn up top, where she played as a freshman and sophomore.
The Gilligan's - Carlie and Jessica - will play in the midfield. Stephanie Villegas is on the back line, and Ashlynn Yokoyama will see action as a sophomore.
"I think our defense will be as good as last year's," Rouse said. "Maybe better. We have some younger kids who are growing into it.
"I think we're a lot stronger physically and mentally. All that's nice in practice," Rouse said. "You have to have that when you take it to the games."
The Gulls may also look for Emily Becker, Claire Horsley, Samantha Lent and Kat McGill to contribute.
THE OUTLOOK
Seaside returns one of the most talented lineups in District 1, with five seniors and four all-league returners.
The question mark heading into the season is at goalkeeper, where Rouse must replace Becca Lent, last year's Cowapa League Goalkeeper of the Year.
If they can find a viable replacement - and it seems they have - the Gulls will be a factor in the district playoff race.
