Npsl North Boys Soccer

Auburn Trojans

Coach - John Yorke, fourth year.

1995 record - 3-8-1 (7 points) division (sixth).

Returning players - Robbie Larson, F/MF, sr.; Mike Lykken, F/MF, sr.; Brandon Gurnaas, F, sr.; Matt Marx, MF, sr.; J.R. Cole, MF, so.; Josh Sjostrom, D, sr.; Gary Pearson, D, sr.; Chris Floyd, F, sr.

Key newcomers - Jimmy Fioretti, D, fr.; Trevor Korbol, D, fr.; Kelly Doll, MF, fr.; Glen Weiman, MF, so.; Geoff Mollichi, D, jr.; Matt Howell, MF, so.; Nolen Kinney, MF/F, sr.; Reece Marx, D, sr.; A.J. Eidem, GK, sr.; Jeff Decker, GK, fr., Ryan Warner, MF, jr.

Outlook - With two new goalkeepers and the lack of a pure goal scorer, the Trojans will be hard pressed to crack to upper half of the division. But they do have good experience up front and in the middle. With their strong work ethic and desire to succeed, they should show steady improvement.

Auburn Riverside Ravens

Coach - Dave Winter, first year.

1995 record - New school in 1995-96.

Key newcomers - Josh Benedict, F, jr. (lettered at Auburn in '95); Kurtis Sandmire, MF, so. (lettered at Auburn in '95); Matt Cole, D, so.; Matt Scarlett, D, fr.; Lee Westerdahl, MF, jr.; James Floyd, D, jr.; Jeremy Proud, GK, fr.; Joe Watson, F, fr.; Gary Fujioka, MF, fr.; Brian Iblings, MF, fr.; Anthony Greenan, GK, so.; Travis Mortimer, D, so.; Ben Abear, MF, so.

Outlook - Not even Winter is sure what to expect from the Ravens this season. The roster includes several premier players, but only two have any varsity experience (at Auburn). There's plenty of speed and good size. The offense might have to carry the load early.

Decatur Gators

Coach - Dan Flint, fifth year.

1995 record - 11-0-1 (23 points) division (first); won SPSL championship, reached state semifinals before losing twice and finishing fourth.

Returning players - James Lyne, MF, sr.; Wes Rock, MF/D, sr.; Tony Rolewicz, D, sr.; Shawn Smith, MF, sr.; Derek Cabrera, F, jr.; Lenny Foster, MF, jr.; Todd Fournier, D, jr.; Lance Kohler, MF, jr.; John Ottele, D, jr.; Davis Short, MF, jr.; Chris Stoneback, MF, jr.

Key newcomers - Jeff Lowsma, MF, sr.; Jim Andresen, GK, jr.; Jason Bergi, D, jr.; Darin Laier, D, jr.; Keyle Ruston, D, so.; John Ruston, F, fr.; Kyle Bailey, D, so.; Jeremy Pence, GK, jr.; Lewis Dawson, F, sr.; Kyle Bailey, MF, so.; Jesse Hall, D, so.; Kevin Jones, D, fr.; Joseph Lampsen, MF, sr.

Outlook - Defense will have to carry the Gators early, since they lost their top two scorers to graduation. But the scoring potential is there and Flint believes Decatur has the talent to stay atop the division.

Enumclaw Hornets

Coach - Todd Mathews and Steve Varga, second year.

1995 record - 4-11-1 in Class AA Pierce County League.

Returning players - George Harding, F, jr.; Justin Cambra, F, jr.

Key newcomers - Matt Bristbane, MF, so.; Andy Roberson, D, so.; Brian Johnson, F/MF, so.; Tyler Bruhn, D, fr.

Outlook - The future looks bright, but the young Hornets might struggle in their first season of Class AAA competition. They lack experience and size, but have good speed and can are effective when they play smart.

Federal Way Eagles

Coach - John Wedge, fifth year.

1995 record - 6-4-3 (13 points) division (tied for third).

Returning players - Jared Whaley, D, jr.; Dustin Richardson, D, jr.; Jim Hoover, D, jr.; Nathan Marquart, D, so.; Brian Marshall, D, sr.; A.J. Conklin, MF, jr.; Barth Riedle, MF, sr.; Randy Rolowicz, MF, jr.; Paul Lombardo, MF, so.; Josh Parker, MF, sr.; Dean Kois, sr.; F; Koffi Assoun Jr., F, jr.; Brian Hemmer, F, jr.; Keith Peterson, F, sr.

Key newcomers - Andrew Yarborough, MF, so.; Beau Lively, D/MF, fr.; John Warren, MF, fr.; Brent Marshall, D, so.; Chad McWhirt, GK, so.; Ed Shillinglaw, GK, so.

Outlook - With 14 players back from a team that just missed the SPSL playoffs (Kentwood advanced as the third seed based on head-to-head results), the Eagles are expected to challenge for the title this year. It's the fastest team Wedge has had at Federal Way. Look for improved scoring from a variety of sources.

Jefferson Raiders

Coach - Jim Judson, 11th year (third year back after four-year break).

1995 record - 9-3-0 (18 points) division (second); eliminated by Kentwood in SPSL tournament.

Returning players - Travis Goodpaster, Gk, sr.; Shobo Tilbury, F/D, sr.; Ryan Kittelson, D, sr.; Josh McCarty, MF, sr.; Michael Koo, MF, jr.; Marcus Mullner, F, sr.; Anthony Salvateierra, D, jr.; Hein Nguyen, D, jr.; Brian Millspaugh, MF, jr.; Matt Finney, D/MF, sr.; Justin Witter, GK, jr.; Donny Murray, MF, sr.

Key newcomers - Dennis Price, GK, jr.; Brian Radford, D, so.; Greg Hoffman, D, jr.; Adam Seegmuellar, D, so.; Josh Seibenaler, F, so.; William Rodriquez, F, so.; Mikel Ugarte, MF, jr.; Jason Zachow, MF, sr.; Travis Crane, F, sr.; Cam Siaman, D, sr.; Wes Mann, D, sr.

Outlook - As usual, the Raiders are expected to be among the front-runners in the SPSL - they won the state title two years ago. It's an unselfish group that should feature an improved offense. They win a lot of balls in the air and strive for error-free defense.

Kent-Meridian Royals

Coach - Gunter Bohrmann, 12th year.

1995 record - 0-12-0 (0 points) division (seventh).

Returning players - Greg Lois, D, jr.; Kyle Nelson, MF, sr.; Jared Abbott, MF, so.; Brad Foster, MF, sr.; Mike Carpinito, GK, jr.; Federico Olivas, D, jr.; Shawn Tidd, D, jr.

Key newcomers - Brandon Beilke, GK, so.; Kyle Reynolds, MF, jr.; Adam Kwakenat, F, fr.; David Brunbraugh, MF, jr.; Jose Caneles, F, sr.; Sanh Trinh, F, so.; Roberto Salinas, MF, jr.; Thai Tran, F, jr.; Fernando Ramos, D, so.; Maximo Santan, MF, jr.; Dan Lewis, MF, so.

Outlook - The Royals are showing great improvement, and already have a win under their belts, 1-0 over Auburn in the season opener. Attitude is the biggest change, according to Bohrmann. They have solid skills, but lack a bevy of premier players. Must win with hustle and scrappiness.

Kentridge Chargers

Coach - Ed Guitierrez, fifth year.

1995 record - 4-6-2 (10 points) division (fifth).

Returning players - Jason Cappelletti, GK, jr.; Nick Brawley, MF, jr.; Paul McEwen, MF, jr.; Matt Deming, MF, jr.; Blake O'Brien, GK, sr.; Dion Simon, MF, sr.; Mike Boughter, F, jr.; Doug Porter, MF, sr.; Scott Sandin, MF, jr.; Brent Staszak, D, sr.; Ryan Laupe, F, sr.; Ryan Schell, F, jr.; Jade Leal, D, sr.

Key newcomers - Tim Dapar, F, fr.; Mike Boughter, F, jr.; Jeff Chamberlin, D, sr.; Aaron Nelson, F, jr.; Aaron Hottel, D, so.; Brandon Lynch, D, so.

Outlook - Offense continues to be the key for the Chargers. They scored only 11 goals last season and lost their SPSL opener to Federal Way 1-0. The midfield and defense is seasoned and should keep them in games until someone steps up to spark the offense.

Kentwood Conquerors

Coach - George Czarnowski, second year.

1995 record - 6-5-1 (13 points) division (tied for third); lost to Stadium in state quarterfinals.

Returning players - Cory Armstrong, MF, jr.; Casey Can, MF, sr.; Bryan Cunningham, D, sr.; Mike Cusic, F, sr.; Martin Golicz, MF, sr.; Scott Kriss, GK, so.; Carson Welch, MF, sr.; Jon Broom, D, sr.

Key newcomers - Brady Bell, MF, jr.; Tim Cusick, MF, fr.; Dru Hedin, MF, so.; Bobby Jones, F, so.; Mitch Roehr, D, jr.; Joby Titus, D, sr.; Nick Witta, D, fr.

Outlook - After making the playoffs for the first time in school history last season, the Conquerors are favored to win their first division crown this year as eight starters return. They are an excellent passing team with a solid defense. Must play together and capitalize on scoring opportunities.