Girls’ Soccer: Breakers seek to build on success
You might say that the Laguna Beach girls’ soccer program is heading into the 2014-15 season on a roll.
The Breakers will be looking to add on to the unprecedented success they achieved last winter when they won a program single-season record 13 games, won the Orange Coast League championship, and reached the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs. They welcome back 15 players, including seven with all-OCL honors, to this year’s unit which has the ingredients to flourish once again.
“The coaching staff was very proud last season on how the team responded after a 1-1-1 start in the Orange Coast League,” said Bill Rolfing, who is in his 10th year as head coach. “We were questioning ourselves already and then lost keeper Kylie George to a back injury. The rest was history, as the squad won six straight to clinch the championship with a game in hand. Gutsy performance.
“Some program records were made along the way, but two OCL titles in three years, was what we were after. A big shoutout goes to varsity assistant coaches Amanda Sylvia and Courtney Hamchuk.”
Rolfing and his staff call the outlook for this year’s team, “very exciting.”
“We have a mixture of talented veterans who have anchored the titles and new dynamic youngsters that will no doubt carry the program forward,” he said. “The new freshmen and sophomore players are searching for goals and, add that to the experienced and stingy defense, there should be excellent field balance this year.
“The coaching staff is excited for this year. The girls’ commitments are strong to the team and we hope it all culminates with a repeat OCL Championship and a deep voyage into CIF.”
In the new season, Laguna, which as reached the CIF playoffs in three consecutive years and five of the last six, has moved from CIF Division 4 to Division 5.
Laguna Beach Girls’ Soccer
Head coach: Bill Rolfing (10th year)
Coaching staff: Amanda Sylvia, Courtney Hamchuk.
League: Orange Coast
CIF Division: Division 5
Last year’s overall record: 13-6-4
Last year’s league finish: 7-1-2 (champion)
2014 CIF playoffs: Reached second-round
Returning varsity players: Kylie George (goalie, Sr.); Amy Hewlett (defender, Sr.); Summer Stanaland (DEF, Jr.); Janie Crawford (DEF, Sr.); Regan Caraher (midfielder, Soph.); Audrey Pillsbury (MF, Sr.); Chiara Noppenberger (MF, Jr.); Paige Vitolo (forward, Sr.); Katelyn Carballo (F, Jr.); Hannah Budroe (MF, Jr.); Lilli Cook (DEF, Soph.); Greer Jacobs (F, Soph.); Christine Johnson (F, Soph.); Maddy Kristensen (MF, Jr.); Senna Thomas (DEF, Jr.).
Returning with honors: Amy Hewlett (first-team all-league); Audrey Pillsbury (first-team all-league); Summer Stanaland (first-team all-league); Kylie George (first-team all-league); Katelyn Carballo (second-team all-league); Janie Crawford (second-team all-league); Paige Vitolo (second-team all-league).
Varsity newcomers: Mary Emma Meyer (DEF, Sr.); Emily Addis (DEF, Soph.); Zoe Hefter-Smith (MF, Sr.); Alyssa Pellow (MF, Jr.); Haylee Jarvis (MF/F, Fr.); Alden Kramer (MF/F, Fr.); Shea Skenderian (MF/F, Fr.); Renee Thomas (MF/F, Fr.).
Season keys: “Health is always a key component,” Rolfing said. “Beyond that, working tightly in midfield to maintain structure while seeking opportunity will be crucial. The match intensity of high school soccer challenges the ability to connect smoothly, so simply put, the girls must work hard for good, penetrating combination play.”
The schedule: “Our pre-league schedule will include some (CIF) Division I and II soccer schools, particularly in the Ocean View Winter Classic Tournament,” Rolfing said. Area rival schools with similar ‘club’ based rosters such as JSerra, Laguna Hills, San Juan Hills and Irvine, will definitely prepare us for not only league, but CIF competition. The trip to Palm Desert is always fun and a great team-bonding opportunity mixed in with competitive, pre-league matches. In league, every team is getting stronger. We will have to take each game at 100% physical and mental preparedness, then make adjustments for game two.”
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2014-15 Schedule
Tuesday: vs. Tustin, 5 p.m.
Dec. 2: Laguna Hills, 6:15 p.m.
Dec. 6: at Ocean View Tournament (TBA)
Dec. 9: Sage Hill, 5 p.m.
Dec. 13, 15: at Ocean View Tournament (TBA)
Dec. 18: Ocean View, 6;15 p.m.
Dec. 26: at Xavier Prep, 11 a.m.
Dec. 27: at Indio, 10 a.m.
Jan. 3: Alumni match, 11 a.m.
Jan. 6: at San Juan Hills, 5 p.m.
Jan. 8: at JSerra, 3:15 p.m.
Jan. 13: *at Costa Mesa, 3:15 p.m.
Jan. 15: *Saddleback, 5 p.m.
Jan. 20: *at Estancia, 5 p.m.
Jan. 22: *at Calvary Chapel, 3;15 p.m.
Jan. 27: *Godinez, 5 p.m.
Jan. 29: *Costa Mesa, 5 p.m.
Feb. 3: *Estancia, 5 p.m.
Feb. 5: *at Saddleback, 3:15 p.m.
Feb. 9: *at Godinez, 3:15 p.m.
Feb. 11: *Calvary Chapel, 5 p.m.
(*denotes league game)
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Twitter: @MikeSciacca