Compiled by Richard Smith

West Valley Preps

The girls soccer season is under way for Northwest Valley high schools. Here are previews, with coaches’ comments, for six local teams:

CENTENNIAL COYOTES

5A Northwest Region

2016-17 Record: 6-12, 2-2 region

Coach: Lance Thompson (2nd year as Centennial coach)

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Entering this season (my second season) our teams best attribute would be team chemistry as we have 12 returners and a much better understanding of our system, as well as clarity on roles and responsibilities.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? This season we are needing to improve upon our transition as well as our speed of play and decision making.

Who are your team leaders? With 12 student athletes returning we really have a lot of them stepping forward at an equal rate to take on the numerous areas of leadership.

Who are the newcomers to varsity boys soccer that can make the biggest impact? Newcomers to Varsity that will make an impact are: Jose Rojas (So. Def.), Brian Perez (Sr. Fwd.), Tyler Knox (So. Cm) and Zack Castaldo (Fr. K).

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? After going 6-6 last season, and having a similar schedule, we feel all matches will be highly anticipated this season as most of our matches were competitive a year ago.

DYSART DEMONS

4A Black Canyon Region

2016-17 Record: 9-3-1, 2-2-1 region (Lost to Saguaro in first round of 4A playoffs)

Coach: Johnathan Rea (third year as Dysart coach)

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Attitude and balance.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Playing at the faster pace and physicality of the varsity level for our newcomers.

Growing at the goalkeeper position as we return no one with varsity experience.

Finding the right combination and chemistry with many new players.

Who are your team leaders? Christian Ortiz Senior Captain, Eric Curiel Senior Captain (new, moved here from Chicago), Hassan Razzouki Junior midfielder, Alfredo Vega Junior Defender, Uriel Morones senior midfielder, Omar Robles senior utility player and several others.

Who are the newcomers to varsity boys soccer that can make the biggest impact? Alfredo Vega Junior, Delano Blackman Sophomore midfielder, Lorenzo Rodarte freshman forward and Juan Pitones Freshman midfielder.

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? Playing Valley Vista for the Unified Cup on December 18th.  Playing Washington and Cortez late in the season.

IRONWOOD EAGLES

5A Metro Region

2016-17 Record: 16-6-1, 5-0 region (lost to Campo Verde in 5A semifinals)

Coach: Tim Beck (24th year as Ironwood coach)

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our team will possess skill/technical ability, and a strong defensive unit.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We will need to improve our leadership and develop our offense. (Also, Ironwood must replace the coach’s son earlier than expected. Noah Beck, an all-state midfielder as a sophomore, accepted the invitation to play for and train with the Real Salt Lake Academy.)

“It was a major decision for both Noah and us, as his parents, for him to make the move to Utah. It was the right time, however, and we feel he is in the perfect place to continue his development, though it obviously takes away an important piece of our HS squad,” Beck said.

Who are your team leaders? I have some very strong leaders this year. Team captains are senior Kenny Samatar, junior Irvin Quinonez and sophomore Mathew Holmes.

Who are the newcomers to varsity boys soccer that can make the biggest impact? Newcomers to varsity include several players from an undefeated JV team (Ernesto Osornio, JP Yanez, Alex Panduro), and a couple of freshmen.

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? We have big non-region games against Liberty and Chaparral, and region opponents like Sunnyslope.

LIBERTY LIONS

5A Northwest Region

2016-17 Record: 12-8-2, 3-0-1 region (Lost to North Canyon in 5A second round)

Coach: Tyler Hussey (sixth year as Liberty coach)

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Leadership and experience, 13 seniors, 7 juniors.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Team chemistry and ball possession.

Who are your team leaders? #18 Kolter Nelson (Jr), #5 Logan Ritter (Sr), #14 Patrick Wheeler (Sr), #3 Bailey Moore (Jr), #16 Alex Lorenzana (Sr).

Who are the newcomers to varsity boys soccer that can make the biggest impact? #10 Logan Porterfield (Sr).

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? Centennial, Ironwood and North Canyon.

MOUNTAIN RIDGE MOUNTAIN LIONS

6A Desert Valley Region

2016-17 Record: 2-16, 1-4 region

Coach: Andrew Lang (third year)

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Defense is strong with 2 of our captains at the central defense position. Also, we only lost 2 starters from last year.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Connection from the midfield to the forwards can be a challenge, especially against good defenses. We need to be better in that area.

Who are your team leaders? Captains this year are Alex Scott, John Papakalos and Bailey Heinz, all seniors this year.

Who are the newcomers to varsity boys soccer that can make the biggest impact? Lasse Jensen, Edvard Bolmgren and Diego Rodriguez will make a solid impact on the team and they are all new to the program this year.

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? Since the schedule is identical to last year, we hope to win the games we lost by a narrow margin.

PARADISE HONORS PANTHERS

3A Region 4

2016-17 Record: 10-7, 6-1 region (Lost to Chandler Prep in first round of 3A playoffs)

Coach: Matt Collier (first year as Paradise Honors coach)

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Work ethic, offensive fire power.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Young defense

Who are your team leaders? Rhett Livingston (Senior), Javier Munoz (Junior), Zack Collier (Junior)

Who are the newcomers to varsity boys soccer that can make the biggest impact? Oscar Ruiz, Tyler Forte, Joey Collier

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? Odyssey Institute (twice), Red Rock