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 teams that responded to our questions:

CACTUS COBRAS

4A West Valley Region

2017-18 Record: 1-11, 0-4 region

Coach: Keyleigh Marshall (second year as Cactus coach)

How many years have you coached soccer? This is my third year coaching at Cactus, second year coaching varsity.

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? A fresh attitude. We had to rebuild after losing 10 seniors last year, and that opportunity has allowed the girls to have a fresh look at the program and the season.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? They will need to work on their chemistry as a time, spending time together to strengthen that chemistry. This chemistry will improve their work on the field, which we have already seen this season.

Who are your team leaders? I have strong captains this year who stepped up without me having to ask them. These girls are Junior Grace Dewyer, Senior Kylie Redondo, and Senior Mallery Holbein. They are strong leaders with a consistent positive attitude that impacts their team.

Who are the newcomers to varsity that can make the biggest impact?Josie Greener - a strong defender that stepped up from the JV level. Jazelle Knowles - a freshmen that has already scored three goals and has a lot of speed as a forward. Breanna Jacobson - a fast sweeper with a consistently positive attitude

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? I think for us this year, every game is anticipated. We're looking for this year to be a redeeming season for the team and program. Obviously, Peoria is our rival so we always look forward to that game, but we are tackling each game like an individual challenge for redemption.

CENTENNIAL COYOTES

5A Northwest Region

2017-18 Record: 10-9-1, 2-3 region (5A play-in round)

Coach: Marc Shrake (first year as Centennial coach)

Top returnees: Lorraine Pedroza, Jr. MF (11 goals, 11 assists); Alexis Williams, Soph. F (10 goals, 6 assists)

How many years have you coached soccer? This is my third year coaching, however, my first year with Centennial.

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our teams strongest attribute is determination.  We are in the process of rebuilding our team after losing 8 seniors from last year’s squad and several key injuries this year.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Our improvement plan will center around team chemistry and cohesiveness as well developing players for their roles moving forward.

Who are your team leaders? We have a number of leaders on our squad that have stepped up to assist in the above process.  Some of them are Senior Alexis Bautista, Juniors Julie Igneri, Lorraine Pedroza-Montoya, Isabel Ortiz and Sophomore Lexxi Williams.

Who are the newcomers to varsity that can make the biggest impact? I look forward to seeing the development of Freshman Kayla Bollinger and Alexis Valencia.  They have shown great potential and I look forward to seeing them develop with the program.

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? We look forward to every match as it increases our ability to grow as a team.

Liberty junior midfielder Brooke Schuster heads the ball during a 2018 5A girls soccer playoff first round game against Tucson Sahuaro in January. Schuster returns with most of the Lions team for her senior year. [Ralph Freso/West Valley Preps][/caption]LIBERTY LIONS

6A Desert Valley Region

2017-18 Record: 14-6-1, 4-0 region (Reached 5A second round)

Coach: Kyle Pooler (second year as Liberty girls coach)

Top returnees: Maya Lorenzana, Sr. F (19 goals, 11 assists); Skye McMillan, Sr. MF (8 goals, 3 assists in 10 games); Gracie Bland, Jr., F (10 goals, 10 assists)

How many years have you coached soccer? I have coached for 17 years

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our leadership and experience. We only lost two starters from last year’s team.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Playing smarter and being patient.

Who are your team leaders? Honestly we have a core of seniors that are all great leaders, and I truly believe that at any time anyone of them can lead in different ways and help us.

Who are the newcomers to varsity that can make the biggest impact? We have two freshmen that have really impressed me so far, Kiley Connery and Skylar Skelton. Both of them I believe will help us this year, I just have to figure out where they are going to help us the most.

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? We play Sunrise right off the bat and they have some great players so that will be a big test. Then moving into 6A really we have a lot of big games on the schedule. Our region is probably one of the toughest regions in the state so we really are not going to get a break.

MOUNTAIN RIDGE MOUNTAIN LIONS

6A Desert Valley Region

2017-18 Record: 5-8-2, 0-4-1 region

Coach: Peter Evans (second year)

Top returnees: Ashley Armenta, Sr. MF (11 goals, 6 assists); Brenna Scott, Sr. F (2 goals, 3 assists in 6 games)

How many years have you coached soccer? Mountain Ridge boys varsity soccer coach 2012-13 and 2013-14, Liberty girls varsity coach 2016-17, Mountain Ridge girls JV coach 2017-18

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our best attribute entering the season is our speed.  We have some really fast girls playing both ends of the ball.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We need to improve on playing as a team. We have a lot of individual talent, but didn't put it together last season.

Who are your team leaders? Brenna Scott, Mya Liljenstolpe, Ashley Armenta, Ellie Chorpenning, Chiara Fusciello

Who are the newcomers to varsity that can make the biggest impact? Madalyn Wnenta and Ally Rybarczyk

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? OC on January 18 and Liberty on January 22

NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN CRUSADERS

3A Northwest Region

2017-18 Record: 18-3, 5-1 region (first round of 3A playoffs)

Coach: Jeff Penzone (fifth year as Northwest Christian girls coach)

Top returnees: Logan Maszton, Sr. D (7 goals, 13 assists); Ella Kamp, Soph. F (25 goals, 8 assists)

How many years have you coached soccer? More than 20 with 15 of those being at Northwest Christian (10 years with boys and last 5 with girls

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Outlook and next level play. Lost in 1st round last year and the girls are focused on doing better in this seasons quest.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Commitment to the team and work rate - focusing on each game one at a time to generate the most success

Who are your team leaders? Logan Maszton - Senior Defender - signed with OUAZ // Hannah Lewis - Junior Mid-fielder // Rachel Cooning - Sophomore Mid-fielder

Who are the newcomers to varsity that can make the biggest impact? Belle and Beasley Floyd, and Makenzi Wisely - experienced club players that will have an impact on how we go forward.

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? Yuma Catholic - lost 2-1 in a great game to a region opponent. Fountain Hills // Coronado // Anthem Prep // all region opponents.

PARADISE HONORS PANTHERS

3A Northwest Region

2017-18 Record: 1-12, 0-5 region

Coach: Stephanie Heron (second year at Paradise Honors)

Top returnees: Helen Grimaldo, Jr. MF (3 goals)

How many years have you coached soccer? This is my third year coaching at Paradise Honors High School, the second year with my assistant coach David Romero.

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Coming into this season we are very excited about the number of returners we have. We rely heavily on our returners to be the example of the effort we expect in practice and games, as well as in the classroom. PHHS prides itself on cultivating student athletes who excel in and off the field, and we strive to embody that as a team.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We need to work on finding each other on the field and sequencing our passes. We get excited about moving forward and will either forget to be an option for the ball or look for our options on the field.

Who are your team leaders? Jessica Kottman and Alexis Livingston are the chosen captains this year. Jess is a commanding leader on our back line, directing her team and encouraging them to keep playing.  Lexi also plays on our back line, however we are uncertain of the amount of playing time she’ll get this season. Sydney Rolfe is a sophomore who we look to be a leader as well. She is a natural leader, one who leads more by example. She is one of our toughest players, and often rallies her team with a good play.

Who are the newcomers to varsity that can make the biggest impact? Sierra Sweeney is a junior who is new to our team this year. She has several years of soccer experience, and has been a leader on the field in her work ethic and skill. She has works hard at every practice, and brings excitement to each game.  Brianna Romeu and Ashlee Dirks are both freshmen this year, and both showed and early interest in playing keeper. They each have experience in the net, and are eager to improve their skill set. Allie Jarman is another freshman we are keeping our eye on. She surprised us early on and we’re excited to continue to develop her skills.

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? We have a new stadium this year, and are excited to play any game at home, under the lights, with our fans. As a coach I am looking forward to playing Northwest Christian, Odyssey Prep and Trivium Prep again this year. We played them late in the season last year and did not perform as well as we expected. It will be fun to see how we do this year.

PEORIA PANTHERS

4A West Valley Region

2017-18 Record: 7-9, 2-3 region

Coach: Kraig Day (third year as Peoria girls coach)

Top returnees: Isabela Quintero, Sr. F; Madison Madonia, Sr., GK

How many years have you coached soccer? More than 20

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Willingness to learn and adapt.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Learning how to work together as a team.

Who are your team leaders? Maddie Madonia, Rachel Martinez, and Isabela Quintero.

Who are the newcomers to varsity that can make the biggest impact? Jazmine Mateo and Cierra Foster.

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? Peoria v. Cactus.

SHADOW RIDGE STALLIONS

6A Southwest Region

2017-18 Record: 11-9-1, 2-2 region (First round of 5A playoffs)

Coach: John Gray (10th year)

Top returnees: Bayley Forbis, Soph. F (9 goals, 7 assists); Cassie Sherrin, Jr., MF (2 goals, 6 assists)

How many years have you coached soccer? 15 years coaching soccer, 10 as the head coach at Shadow Ridge High  School

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Team unity- our girls work well together and enjoy being around each other

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Continue to work on defensive tactics and our transition game.

Who are your team leaders? Hailey Myers, Rachel Young, Gretchen Kuffel, Piper Stone, Cassie Sheerin, Bayley Forbis, and Morgan Sweeney.

Who are the newcomers to varsity that can make the biggest impact? Sophie Konieczny, Abby O'Connor, Hayden Mastroeni,  Abby Theis,

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? Queen Creek, Boulder Creek, Cibola, and Liberty.

Sunrise Mountain's Sierra Colby (#8) makes a save off of a penalty kick against Thunderbird on Jan. 30, 2018 in a 4A playoff game at Thunderbird High School in Phoenix. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]SUNRISE MOUNTAIN MUSTANGS

5A Northwest Region

2017-18 Record: 13-4-2, 5-0 region (Reached first round of 4A playoffs)

Coach: Erik Andersen (third year as Sunrise Mountain girls coach)

Top returnees: Justyne Underwood, Soph. F; Sierra Colby, Jr., GK; Sydney Jaeger, Sr., D.

How many years have you coached soccer? Third year at Sunrise Mountain. Previously Centennial girls soccer coach

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Unity

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

Who are your team leaders? Dez Gutierez and Sydney Jaeger

Who are the newcomers to varsity that can make the biggest impact? Rylee Swier and Kaitlyn Watkins will start as freshman

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? Liberty, Apollo, Sunnyslope

VALLEY VISTA MONSOON

6A Southwest Region

2017-18 Record: 2-13-1, 0-5 region

Coach: Karin York (second year)

Top returnees: J'Adore Easley, Soph. F (3 goals); Jahnesa Huey, Soph., MF (2 goals)

How many years have you coached soccer? This is my 2nd year.

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our team has worked on team building and trust. We have chemistry that is evident on the field.

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We need to focus on execution of set pieces.

Who are your team leaders? Mercedees Godinez, Sara Lowry, Mackenzie Goodrich-Williams are the captains. J’adore Easely leads in goals and a quiet conference.

Who are the newcomers to varsity that can make the biggest impact? Casey Hobbs is a ninth grade athlete with incredible ball handling and awareness.

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? Shadow Ridge is our last game and a cross town rival.

Willow Canyon's Abbrielle Becerra (#2) gains possession of the ball from Buena's Astrid Galvez (#13) on Jan. 25, 2018 in a play-in game at Willow Canyon High School in Surprise. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]WILLOW CANYON WILDCATS

5A Northwest Region

2017-18 Record: 11-9-1, 2-2 region (Reached first round of 5A playoffs)

Coach: Kendra Melbye (13th year)

Top returnees: Akela Patterson, Sr., GK (1.822 GAA, 9.5 saves per game); Abbrielle Becerra, Sr., D (2 assists)

How many years have you coached soccer? 13

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Ball handling skills

What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? 50/50 balls and defense.

Who are your team leaders? Akela Patterson and Abby Becerra. Allizon Veloz (A 39-goal scorer for the Wildcats as a junior last year, is playing at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy this season)

Who are the newcomers to varsity that can make the biggest impact? Paige Garcia

What are some of the more anticipated games on your schedule? Cactus shadows, Millennium and Verrado