Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Gone but not forgotten: The Class of 2003 was loaded with some of the Mahoning Valley's best soccer players. Among those who graduated are: Hubbard's Jami Duvall and Anna DeJulio; Boardman's Janeen Masternick and Maggie Mills; Canfield's Kelly Williams, Kristen Rutkousky and Grazia Sorice; Poland's Taryn Carlson; Howland's Darcy Quinlin; Champion's Christa Andamasaris; Mooney's Adrienne Detesco; and Girard's Jenny Sopkovich.
Players to watch: Hubbard's leaders are senior sweeper Brittany McKee and senior fullback Adrienne Wolfe. Challenging the Eagles' dominance in the Division II district will be Poland led by senior Britt Davis. Mooney will be led by sophomores Kelli Willis and Marisa Simon. Liberty senior Brittny Humphrey is likely to be one of the best players in the Trumbull Athletic Conference. In Div. I last fall, Fitch had its best season in years. This fall, the Falcons and Boardman Spartans will begin play in the Federal League and challenge for the Div. I district title. Look for Fitch senior Kelly Croysdale to be among the Falcons' best players. Sophomores Jodi Bowlen and Brittney Getz made first team all-Steel Valley Conference as freshmen. Boardman's returning second teamers all-SVC are seniors Jenny Singleton and Sarah Grabert, and junior Brittany Sirak.
Strong conference: Once again, Poland, Canfield and Howland are expected to be the top teams in the Metro Athletic Conference. The Tigers have four players returning who earned first-team all-MAC honors last fall: seniors Sarah Mangiarelli and Alissa Thomas, junior Amy Cornicelli and sophomore Allyson Hovance. Senior Whitney Zunic will lead Canfield.
-- Tom Williams