Soccer coaches eye blend of talent

NORTHEAST VALLEY- Girls soccer coaches hope their teams jell quickly as they try to mix players from different club teams and add in volleyball latecomers.

If they are successful, several teams believe they have what it takes to go all the way. Fountain Hills came close last year, dropping an overtime game in the state finals.

Here's a look at some of the other teams in the area at the season outset.

Arcadia

Region: Class 4A Division II East Sky

Coach: Daniel Polan

2007 record: 6-4

Top returners: Elizabeth May, Alex Warner, Karla Varela, Maddie Thorn and Chandler Broadrick

2008 outlook: Arcadia looks to make the playoffs for the fourth time in Polan's four years there. Polan says his young team needs to learn to play together, especially after losing senior defenders Hannah Smith and Katie Vanyo.

Cactus Shadows

Region: 4A-I Desert Sky

Coach: Jeff Vittorio

2007 record: 8-3

Top returners: Alana Hutz, Megan Baldacci, Taylor Ortman

2008 outlook: Going farther in the playoffs remains the goal for Cactus Shadows. Last year the team lost to No. 14 Tempe McClintock in the first round of last year's playoffs and the two seasons previous to that ended in the semifinals. Vittorio says his starting 11 is strong, but the team has to build up depth in order to make it deeper into the postseason.

Chaparral

Region: 4A-I Desert Sky

Coach: Robyn Carlson

2007 record: 13-5

Top returners: Rachel Quinn, Megan Lynch, Jenna Merrill, Jenn Hann, Jill Thrall and Jessica Turnansky

2008 outlook: Chaparral will blend nine freshmen with six returning starters to create what it hopes is a lethal combination. No starting forwards return for the team, so junior forward Kelly Rising may get the chance to shine.

Coronado

Region: 4A-II East Sky

Coach: Mark Schmitz

2007 record: 2-8

Top returners: ShaylaHernandez, Kayla Mullinax, Nina Porter and Sahariana Espiritu

2008 outlook: Schmitz says the team possesses more "natural talent" this year, which he hopes will translate into the team's firstwinning season.

Desert Mountain

Region: 5A-I Desert Valley

Coach: Liam O'Shea

2007 record: 12-9

Top returners: Melissa Brennan, Jen Loev, Morgan Weikart, Janelle Brandom and Brittany Groh

2008 outlook: If the team can get girls who played on different club teams to mesh well with the team's style after a short preseason, O'Shea believes anything is possible.

Fountain Hills

Region: 3A South

Coach: Jean Serrano

2007 record: 18-8

Top returners: Greta Vogel, Andie Brookhouser, Daniella Serrano and Quinn Diemer

2008 outlook: Fountain Hills wants to return to the state finals, where it lost to Tempe Prep 3-1 in overtime. There are four All-Region players returning, including first team All-State player Vogel, so this could be the Falcons' year to take it all.

Notre Dame Prep

Region: 4A-II Black Canyon

Coach: Scot Bemis

2007 record: 17-5

Top returners: Makenzie Bemis, Katie Hendricks, Abbey Bosco and Katie Meyer

2008 outlook: Notre Dame Prep advanced to the state semifinals last season, and returns first team All-Region midfielders in Bemis and Hendricks. Bemis said the team is focusing on playing hard and improving its play instead of a state championship.

Saguaro

Region: 4A-I Desert Sky

Coach: Jennifer Fadeley

2007 record: 3-6

Top returners: Alyx Chapman and Amy Eyden

2008 outlook: Fadeley expects the team to struggle early, since it lost seven starters, but thinks the team will finish the season with a winning record.