GIRLS SOCCER NOTES - SEPTMBER 8, 2010

Girl's Soccer Preview

By René Ferrán

Can the Hanford girls soccer program return to the glory days, when the Falcons made 17 straight state appearances - including nine Final Four trips and a title in 1989?

The streak ended in 2004, and after making a brief return in '05, they haven't been back to state since.

But this year's Falcons team looks like it could make a deep run in the postseason. They return nine starters, get back a starter from two years ago who missed last season due to injury, and add six freshmen who already are making an impact on the varsity.

"We've taken some lumps the last couple of years," said assistant coach Glen Ledgerwood. "But now we've gotten to the point where we have 30 girls who've played club ball in our program. We have a lot more depth."

The Falcons' strength is in the midfield, where D-I prospect Kaheisha Johnson is among four starters who are back for another season.

Johnson scored a team-high six goals last season, then added another in a 4-0 first-round regional win over East Valley (Spokane) that Ledgerwood considered the Falcons' best performance of the season.

"Kie's extremely athletic and she has good skills," he said.

Senior Leonie Oostrum and juniors Caroline Exharos and Haille Heid also return in the midfield, and they're bolstered by freshmen Sydney Shintaffer (who's moved into the starting lineup) and Bailey Ruby. Both first-year players scored in the Falcons' 5-0 season-opening win over Walla Walla.

Another starter of a year ago, junior goaltender Gabrielle Schuler, has had to share time with another precocious frosh, Emily Busselman.

A third freshman starter, Rebekah Downen, joins sophomore Deanna Quadrel at striker.

On defense, the Falcons return three starters - senior LaTessa Foster (2 goals vs. East Valley in '09 playoffs) and juniors Heather Baddley and Kendall Riddelle - while senior Dana Miller is back in the starting lineup after missing all of last season with an ACL injury.

Baddley matches up against the opposition's top offensive threat. She held Richland's Bria Caldwell in check in a 1-0 loss to the Bombers on Tuesday.

The Falcons open league play Saturday. Their top competition in the CBBN 3A should come from Kamiakin, which finished runner-up in 4A state in '09, and West Valley, the 3A state runner-up last fall.

Mount Spokane and University, both state qualifiers from the GSL a year ago, loom in regionals.

GIRLS SOCCER NOTES - NOVEMBER 18, 2009

The Falcon Soccer team had its end of the season team awrds and the following are a summary.

CBBN League Awards

Kahiesha Johnson, Mid-Fielder - 1st Team
Caroline Exarhos, Defense - 2nd Team
Haille Heid, Mid-Fielder - Honorable Mention

Varsity Awards

Most Consistent Player: Heather Baddley
Golden Header Award: Kendall Riddelle
Best Rookie: Deanna Quadrel
Best Defender: Kendall Riddelle
Best Midfielder: Haille Heid
Best Forward: Kahiesha Johnson
Most Valuable Player: Caroline Exarhos