Spartan kickers get a mix of old and new

Published 5:00 pm Saturday, September 2, 2006

A new coach and some fresh blood anchor a senior-laden squad this season.

Meet the new coach, same as the old coach.

As Anh Tran takes over for Mark Grindrod and several new players step up from the JV and C teams, the Bainbridge girls soccer team will have to make some adjustments as they try to make it back to the state tournament for the 2006 prep season.

The biggest adjustment, according to senior co-captain and forward Zena Hemmen, is getting better at conditioning.

“With Tran, we’ve focused more on conditioning, which is great ’cause we need to get into shape,” she said.

Last year, the Spartans played stellar defense but struggled to score goals as they went 9-6-4. They made it back to the Metro League tournament and upset Lakeside, but lost to Nathan Hale in a winner-to-state game.

They lose eight players from last year to graduation, but Tran is confident in the numerous returning players and the new talent coming onto the squad.

“I picture the old saying, ‘A true carpenter can make anything that looks bad look really nice. Someone that can’t do that can’t do it at all,’” he said. “In that sense my job is pretty easy. I’ve got good players already so I don’t have to do a whole lot to make it good. The talent is definitely there.”

Those returning include seniors and co-captains Hemmen, defender Lindsey Montoya and midfielder Maureen Callahan. Hemmen scored four goals last year, tying with Allie Picha for the team lead.

Also returning are senior midfielder/defender Adrienne Montoya, junior midfielder Ashley Waplinger, senior midfielder/defender Alex Sawyer, senior midfield/defender Emily Peters, senior defender Emily Peters, senior defender Lucy Donahue and senior defender Ryan McDonald.

Senior midfielder/defender Hannah Oshin is another returnee as she makes her way back from an ACL tear, which excites Hemmen.

“I haven’t seen her play in forever, but she’s coming back really strong,” Hemmen said. “She hasn’t been back for that long, but she’s already as good as she is and I think she’s going to excel so much more.”

Tran feels the team can improve on offense, as the Spartans had all of 15 goals last season.

“Sometimes you either don’t have the killer instinct that can tattoo the net with balls, or no matter how hard you try, you’re not a natural scorer,” he said. “I don’t think that’s going to be the case this year.

“Zena, Dina Singer, Lucy (Donahue), we have so many scorers that can go out and finish. We have the clientele to make the scoring system work for us.”

Lindsey Montoya agreed.

“I think Dina is going to be really good upfront,” she said. “She’s kind of a replacement in a way for Allie because she really likes to head the ball. She loves getting in there and pushing people around, which helps.”

Tran also feels that Waplinger can be a star on offense as he moves her to a “sweeping forward.”

“She’s a good all-around player,” he said. “She’s very creative and very aggressive.”

Defensively the Spartans are set with seven players competing for four spots. Tran expects Lindsey Montoya to be the key player out of those seven.

Sophomore Jesse Vincent comes up from the JV team to take the place of graduated starters Callie Tift and Jackie Danzig in the box. She’ll be backed up by a newcomer, senior Caitlyn Salo.

The other newcomers include sophomore midfielder/forward Alex Mynatt, junior defender Annie Johns, junior defender Kathryn Devereaux, junior midfielder/defender Kristin Saksa, sophomore defender Lauren Tyner and freshmen midfielder/defenders Maddie Ginder and Melissa Hoshizaki.

Tran expects all of the newcomers to get some playing time, which will be difficult with a roster of 22 players.

They’ll face tough competition in perennial state favorite Lakeside, as well as Seattle Prep, Eastside Catholic, Bishop Blanchet and Holy Names this year.

But Tran feels this team is different than other teams in the past, and he is thrilled about their chances.

“What excites me about this team is that we have good leaders,” he said. “I have a lot of faith in the leaders that Mark picked. You’re only as good as your leaders and I’m in awe of how well they lead this team.”

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Spartan soccer

9/5 – North Kitsap, 6:45 p.m.

9/7 – Central Kitsap, 7 p.m.

9/11 – at Chief Sealth, 3:30 p.m.

9/15 – Bishop Blanchet, 4:30 p.m.

9/19 – at West Seattle, 3:30 p.m.

9/21 – Eastside Catholic, 5:15 p.m.

9/26 – Holy Names, 5:15 p.m.

10/3 – at Seattle Prep at Starfire Complex, 3:30 p.m.

10/5 – Nathan Hale, 5:15 p.m.

10/7 – at Lakeside, noon

10/11 – Ingraham, 5:15 p.m.

10/13 – at Bishop Blanchet, 3:30 p.m.

10/17 – at Eastside Catholic, 3:30 p.m.

10/19 – at Holy Names, 3:30 p.m.

10/24 – Lakeside, 7 p.m.

10/26 – Seattle Prep, 5:15 p.m.

10/30 – 11/3 – Metro Playoffs, sites and times TBA.

11/4 – 11/18 – State playoffs, sites and times TBA.