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State tourney the goal

Sports

Friday, 18 November 2011 13:03

News-Gazette Photos/Andrew Sullivan

Gateway’s Hans Ramirez clears the ball during the Panthers’ match at Osceola Monday, won by Gateway, 7-3. The Panthers’ Bernabe Serrano is in the background.

Gateway, Harmony, Osceola challenge Storm in OBC race

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
Two Osceola County teams, Harmony’s girls and Celebration’s boys, progressed to the Class 4A state tournaments last season.
This season, revamped districts pit five of the county’s large high schools in 4A District 6, while Gateway competes in 5A-5, Poinciana is in 2A-8 and New Dimensions plays in A-5.

Osceola
The boys, under Coach Tom Bell, may have one of their best seasons in recent years as a good core of seniors mixed with talented freshmen make the Kowboys a threat in 7A District 5.
Assistant Coach Bill Jakoby said the OHS lineup is solid.
“We have some true players on this team that I would stack up against any in Central Florida,” he said. “We feel that this is our year to dominate and go far into the regionals.”
Among the returning players are seniors Jonathan Fraire, the team’s leading scorer last season, goalkeeper Jean Fred Santos and defender Greg Martinez. Junior Maikel Bonilla also returns.
OHS is 3-1 after a 2-0 win at South Lake Thursday.
Coach Mark Ausherman again will lead the Lady Kowboys.
The team has a good mix of experienced and incoming talent, he said.
Returning are seniors Caitlin Brunk, Lorena Castro, Sarah Lambert, Kiara Serrano and Emily Trejos. Returning juniors are Allyah Agudelo, Kiera Koroitamudu and Isamar Rios. Sophomores Rosa Chaves and Courtney Ausherman (goal) also return, but Ausherman will be sidelined early in the season after breaking her arm in a preseason scrimmage, the coach said. Senior Mary Hernandez also returns in goal.
Ausherman expects sophomore Llasmin Hernandez and freshmen Veronica Londono and Megan Gordon to contribute.
“I think we have a good shot at the district championship if the girls stay healthy,” Ausherman said.
Gateway
Coach Oswald Attin returns after leading the Panthers to a 14-8-3 record and the district championship last season.
Attin said winning a championship in the new 5A District 5 will be a challenge after Gateway lost several talented seniors. Plus, he said, the new district is loaded with strong teams from Orange County like Dr. Phillips, West Orange and Olympia.
Attin said Gateway will be well-represented with players like Felipe Oliveira, David Espitia, Walter Marquez, Sandro Salazar and defenders Nelson Melendez and Bernabe Serrano.
“I trust my kids and their commitment level to always excel in times of challenge,” Attin said.
The team scored a 7-3 win over Osceola in its Orange Belt Conference opener Monday.
The Lady Panthers are coached by Andreas Rivera. The roster includes seniors Beatriz Abreu, Saray Arce, Johanna Diaz and Amarini Sanchez.
Harmony
Lady Longhorns Coach Stephanie Jones orchestrated the most successful girls soccer season in Osceola County history last winter by guiding the team to the Class 4A state tournament, where it lost, 1-0, in the semifinal round to eventual champion Lutz Steinbrenner High.
Harmony lost several excellent players to graduation, but Jones said seven return.
“Kendall Pollock will fill the central defender position and brings a superb athleticism to that position,” Jones said.
Other key players include midfielders Breanna Plattner and Kaley Ward, one of the team’s leading scorers, along with forwards Caitlin Beam and Sage Leffew.
Heidi Mobley is another team leader, Jones said.
The team got a preseason boost by beating former nemesis Eustis, 4-2.
“I think the players felt that was a huge test,” Jones said. “It proved we could win without the seniors of last year and has set their minds to the upcoming season.”
Scott Marlega takes over the boys program that struggled last season, but Marlega sees promise.
“Last year we were young and inexperienced. We hope that with a year of experience under their belts, that last year’s growing pains turn into future success,” he said.
Seniors Jansen Bernuy and Alan Campos play forward, while junior Andrew Andrew Harrison plays midfield/defense. Senior Nikolas Aguedelo joins the teams this season, as well. Michael Hyson plays in goal.
The team got off to a 1-0-1 start and tied state qualifier Celebration Nov. 10, 3-3, on goals by Bernuy (2) and Bradley Lopez. Hysan made 12 saves.
St. Cloud
The Bulldogs come off an 8-9-2 season under Coach Weylan Craig, who has five returning starters.
They include seniors Calixto Bravo, Daniel Gomez and goalkeeper Nick Hartman.
Craig believes newcomers Joseph Rochester and Michael Escobar can improve the offense.
“We look to improve our record and expect that we will create many opportunities to do so,” Craig said.
Coach Georgia Perticari takes over the girls program.
Her roster includes seniors Evelyn Cervantes and Alyssa Galan, Sarah Griffin, Alondra Perdomo, Yazmeilis Santos, Kassandra Santiago and Lorelli Vazquez.
Celebration
Coach Ed Kuzma’s Lady Storm will depend on an experienced defense for success this season.
“Our experience lies with our defense,” he said. “Since none of our players plays club soccer, we will use the season to grow and prepare for the district tournament.
Returning are defenders Mariana Villaroel, Dani Castano, Bruna Moura, Taylor Mazurek and Caroline Strogis.
Lexi Stephan and Maria Rodriguez will switch between center-midfield and forward, Kuzma said. Rachel Barry will play outside-midfield.
Payton Lambke, the softball team’s center fielder, will play in goal. Kylie Jansing and Megan Flores, along with freshman Freshman Paola Onante, will join the varsity, Kuzma said.
Kuzma is proud of his team’s abilities in the classroom as well as the soccer field.
“This group is filled with bright, hardworking, athletic young ladies. They are a privilege to coach and a pleasure to watch play,” Kuzma said.
The Lady Storm began the season with a 2-1 district victory against East Ridge.
The boys, under Julio Machuca, will attempt to repeat last year’s playoff success with a roster that includes senior Michael Mays and juniors John Birchall and Jose Perez.
The team reached the Class 4A state semifinal round last season.
Liberty
Ken Woehr coaches the Chargers.
The roster includes senior striker Henry Gamboa, defensive back David Lodono and goalkeeper Anthony Idiaquez.
Coach Kim Holt’s Lady Chargers are led by center midfielder Marisa Giannott, a fourth-year starter, and senior defender Emily Brouillard.
Juniors Alicia Font and Katia Rivas are midfielders, and Ashley Ramos, another junior, plays forward.
Freshmen Kaitlin and Nicole Holborn will play midfield and forward.
Poinciana
The Eagles boys coach is Dan Heibel.
The Eagles roster includes seniors Niels Akkerman, Brandon Correa, Elijah Diaz, John Ferdinand and Kevin Garcia along with juniors Brandon Braumuller, Yasin Guergaf and Crristian Ramos. Sophomores Luis Quinones and Dorian Betancur and freshmen Angel Luna, Emillio Martinez, Frederick Martinez-Reyes, Hendrick Martinez-Reyes and Ivan Riquelme round out the roster.
Lady Eagles Coach Ryans Calmont said the Lady Eagles can build on last season’s 8-8-4 record with a solid lineup that includes several of Central Florida’s top players.
Seniors Andrea Betancur, a forward, and Estefany Abastida, a defender, are co-captains.
Junior midfielder Estelle Experance led the Lady Eagles in scoring and assists last season and defender-midfielder Laura Domasch, like Experance, ranks among the best in the area. Calmont said.
New Dimensions
Coach John Timmerman said the boys team should improve thanks to returning juniors Junau Francois, John Moncayo and goalie Matthew Callahan along with defender Brandon Giron.
New arrivals include juniors Christian Gonzalez, Sebastian Santaella and Cristhian Uribe. Freshman Robin Donis also joins the team.
The Lady Tigers, under Coach Deanna Tomasetti, are led by senior forward Jessie Maldonado. Also competing for New Dimensions are sophomore Andrea Giron and freshman Arden Lambert.