Spsl Boys Soccer Capsules

SPSL North Division boys soccer forecast

Predicted order of finish for the 1998 South Puget Sound League's North Division boys soccer race, based on a survey of league coaches, with first-place votes in parentheses, ballot points (based on seven points for first, six for second, etc) and 1997 division record (coaches not allowed to vote for own team):

Pts '97 .

1. Auburn Riverside (3) 44 7- 6-3 .

2. Tahoma (4) 40 12- 1-0 # .

3. Kentridge (1) 35 10- 4-2 .

4. Kentwood 34 11- 3-2 .

5. Kentlake 29 - # # .

6. Auburn 20 4- 9-3 .

7. Enumclaw 15 2-13-1 .

8. Kent-Meridian 7 1-15-0 .

# In AA Pierce County League

# # First-year school in 1997-98

North Division

Auburn Trojans Coach - John Yorke, sixth year. 1997 division record - 4-9-3 (seventh). Returning players - Matt Howell, MF, sr.; Karl Worden, D, sr.; Mike Storino, D, sr.; Jimmy Fioretti, MF, jr.; Trevor Korbol, D, jr.; Ryan Sifferman, MF, jr.; Evan Taylor, MF, jr.; Cole Siemeon, MF, jr.; Ryan Fiorini, D, jr.; Eric Joiner, MF, jr.; Jeff Decker, GK, jr.; Andy Clark, D, jr.; George Payne, F, jr.; Kelly Doll, MF, jr. Key newcomers - James Garel, GK, jr.; Anthony Fioretti, MF/D, fr.; Jorgan Peadon, MF/D, fr.; Mike Gallegos, MF/D, fr. Outlook - Payne was a pain for defenders last season, leading the North Division in scoring, and heads a long list of returning players. The Trojans should be one of the league's most improved teams, but must establish a winning tradition. Physical strength is a concern.

Auburn Riverside Ravens Coach - Dave Winter, third year. 1997 division record - 7-6-3 (fifth). Returning players - Matt Cole, D, sr.; Travis Mortimer, D, sr.; Kurtis Sandmire, MF, sr.; Zach Burnside, GK, jr.; Brett Cardenas, D, jr.; Gary Fujioka, MF, jr.; Brian Iblings, F, jr.; Jeremy Proud, GK, jr.; Matt Scarlett, F, jr.; Jake Tibeau, MF, jr.; Joe Watson, MF, jr. Key newcomers - Tai Vestal, D, jr.; Shawn Lombardini, MF, jr.; Mike Martin, MF, jr. Outlook - The Ravens hope to rise to the top of the division with a lineup that includes seven third-year starters. They have some outstanding individual talent, the most noteworthy being Proud and Watson, but their success could hinge on how well they blend as a team.

Enumclaw Hornets Coach - Dan Rogel, second year. 1997 division record - 2-13-1 (eighth). Returning players - Mike Bertrand, D, sr.; Matt Brisbane, F, sr.; Andy Roberson, D, sr.; Phil Mitchell, F, sr.; Brian Johnson, MF, sr.; Chris Turner, D, sr.; Tim Braunschweig, GK, sr.; Joey Smith, F, jr.; Dickson Harding, MF, jr. Key newcomers - Todd Nelson, sr.; Tyler Bruhn, jr.; Casey Hanson, fr.; Nick Selland, fr. Outlook - This should be another of the league's vastly improved teams. Bertrand, a first-team selection last year, anchors what should be a steady defense. The all-around level of play should take a step up.

Kent-Meridian Royals Coach - Gunter Bohrmann, 14th year. 1997 division record - 1-15-0 (ninth). Returning players - Brandon Beilke, GK, sr.; Travis Davies, D, sr.; Pranish Naidu, MF, sr.; Dan Lewis, D, sr.; Mark Rizo, GK, jr.; Dan Woeck, MF, jr. Key newcomers - Jon Reischl, D, sr.; Adam Easterbrook, D, sr.; Sonal Goundar, MF, sr.; Bucky Dodd, D, jr.; Joe Popper, MF, jr.; Moussa Cikosso, F, jr.; Adam Mendoza, MF, so.; Mike Edmonson, MF, so.; Joe Royal, F, so.; Bernando Becerra, F, fr. Outlook - It's the same old story for Kent-Meridian - trying to compete in a premier league with no premier players. This year, the Royals are particularly inexperienced on defense. They probably will struggle to stay out of the cellar.

Kentlake Falcons Coach - Ed Guitierrez, first year. 1997 division record - First-year school in 1997-98. Key newcomers - Aaron Kidd, D, jr.; Nick Wiita, MF, jr.; Ben Carroll, MF, jr.; Tim Cusick, GK, jr.; David Hyland, D, jr.; David Campbell, MF, jr.; Habtom Eyasu, F, jr.; Will McLaughlin, F, jr.; Justin Miller, D, so.; Brad Bergstrom, D, so.; Troy Wood, D, so.; Aaron Barber, MF, so.; Casey Armstrong, MF, fr. Outlook - Things are coming together quickly for the young Falcons, who could well compete for the division title in their first year. Miller, Kidd and Wiita are top-notch players, although Kidd will be sidelined with a sprained ankle until spring break. Armstrong has been a pleasant surprise. Depth is questionable.

Kentridge Chargers Coach - Glen Walrond, first year. 1997 division record - 10-4-2 (third); lost to Kentwood in SPSL tournament for final state playoff berth. Returning players - Brandon Lynch, MF, sr.; Chris Bennett, D, sr.; Scott Groce, D, sr.; Aaron Hottell, MF, sr.; Tim Dapar, MF/F, jr.; Josh Lineback, F, so. Key newcomers - Tyler Ault, F/MF, sr.; Chris Ling, F, sr.; Matt Mooseles, F, sr.; Chris Rassmussen, MF, sr.; Doug Shores, GK, jr.; Peter Maracu, GK, jr.; David Andresen, D, jr.; Jansen Hartlep, MF, jr.; Davy Shanko, MF, jr; Kris Buitrago, MF/F, jr.; Ryan Scott, D, so. Outlook - Despite the loss of nine starters, including four all-league players, the Chargers are expected to be among the front-runners again this season. There are no superstars, but the overall speed is better. Chemistry will be a key ingredient.

Kentwood Conquerors Coach - George Czarnowski, fourth year. 1997 division record - 11-3-2 (second); lost to Eastlake in opening round of AAA state playoffs. Returning players - Matt Chipps, GK, sr.; Jason Jones, D, sr.; Scott Wuinn, D, sr.; Scott Kriss, MF/F, sr.; Dru Hedin, F, sr.; Trevor Read, D, sr.; Bobby Jones, F, sr.; Joel Broom, MF, sr.; Justin Hughes, MF, so. Key newcomers - Anthony Medina, D, fr.; Jason Newbrey, F, fr. Outlook - The Conquerors' starting lineup appears to be good enough to match up with anyone in the league. But Czarnowski said he has no depth, so staying healthy is a must. Being able to finish will be the other key to making another push for the playoffs.

Tahoma Bears Coach - Darren Tremblay, second year. 1997 record - 12-1 (second in AA Pierce County League); lost to Olympia in first round of AA state tournament. Returning players - Sean Ekblad, D, sr.; Danny Furlong, GK, sr.; Dan Gamble, F, sr.; Scott Rasmussen, F, sr.; Steve Hardebeck, MF, sr.; Solin Sternberg, MF, sr.; Jacob Waldron, MF, sr; Paul Czarnowski, MF, jr.; Dustin Vance, D, jr.; Tyler Schwartzenberger, F, jr.; Justin Sly, MF, jr.; Charlie Ashbaugh, MF, jr.; Eric Vermehren, D, so.; Russ Cahill, MF, so. Key newcomers - Robb Wright, F, sr.; Russell Willbanks, MF, sr.; Brandon Sly, D, fr. Outlook - The Bears are solid at every position, despite some early injuries and illness. Czarnowski, son of the Kentwood coach and probably Tahoma's best player, has a bad back and his status is still up in the air. Waldron is out four to six weeks with mononucleosis. With good teamwork, especially on defense, this could be the team to beat.