Published: August 28, 2008 10:31 pm            

H.S. GIRLS SOCCER: Leichtnam at the end of the tunnel

Lady Lions introduce new head coach Laura Leichtnam.

LOCKPORT — Laura Leichtnam is right at home as the new head coach of the Lockport High School girls varsity soccer team.

A 2003 graduate of LHS, Leichtnam was a Lady Lions soccer player and works today as a district teacher.

Despite key losses to graduation of Niagara Frontier League all-stars Heather Rhodes, Lyz Dembrow and Katie Taber, the Lady Lions are expected to contend again for a league title.

Lockport will be led by fleet-footed senior forwards Kayla Minner and Brittney Watson. Both should light the lamp a lot this fall.

“I’m excited to be back coaching in Lockport and we look forward to our upcoming season,” Leichtnam said.

Grand Island

The Lady Vikings have won eight consecutive NFL titles and advanced to the state tournament more than any other Section VI program in the past decade.

Leading the charge will be junior midfielder Jordan Dudish, a first team all-NFL pick a year ago. Also back is second team all-NFL senior defender Jamie Raepple, junior midfielder Liz Lorence and sophomore forward Jenna Raepple. Junior Kristen Wegrzyn will likely take over at goalkeeper, although Bowman said he has not fully completed his starting lineup.

Lewiston-Porter

The Lancers have one of their most talented teams in years, leaving first-year coach Dave Sicoli extremely excited this fall. Senior Emily Marin, a first team all-NFL performer a year ago, is back to anchor the defense.

Also back on defense is Sam Wilber, a second team all-NFL honoree. Offensively, second team all-NFL forward Jenna Van Dusen returns as the team’s leading goal scorer. Third team all-NFL midfielder Gretchen Herb is also back.

Niagara Falls

Despite losing a pair of players that earned all-NFL honors a year ago, the Wolverines and fourth-year coach Mia Bianco are confident improvement is on the horizon.

Leading a strong group of returnees is senior forward Darcie Rosinski. Also back is senior midfielder Joanna Monaco and senior defender Nikita Ventresca.

Niagara-Wheatfield

The Falcons were hit hard by graduation, most notably with Niagara Gazette Player of the Year and Seton Hall freshman Ashley Beamish. Also lost was goalie Kyrstin Lekki. Still, fourth-year coach Pete Cerny is optimistic that his team can continue to climb up the NFL standings.

First team all-NFL sweeper Madison Brown return for the Falcons, along with senior midfielder Katie Higgins and junior midfielder Emily Carl.

Starpoint

The Lady Spartans lost not a single starter from last season’s ECIC III championship squad. Leading that group of returnees for sixth-year coach Beth Couch is senior midfielder Nicole Borner. She was a first team all-ECIC III player last fall and an Empire State Games gold medalist this past summer. Also back is senior forward Teresa Delabio, sophomore midfielder Marissa Chaffee, sophomore defender Ashley Wallace, junior defender Catie Hale and senior defender Jessica Doores.

“We hope to finish as league champs and make it to the sectional finals this year,” Couch said.

Royalton-Hartland

Looking to improve upon last fall’s 2-10 league record, Roy-Hart faces a tough Niagara-Orleans opening stretch against last year’s top three finishing teams.

The Lady Rams open their N-O slate at Akron on Tuesday.

“That’s a tough way to open but the girls are working hard and we’re looking to improve with each game,” Lady Rams head coach Dottie Barr said.

Senior tri-captains Coleen Rausch (sweeper), Becca Wagner (midfielder/forward) and Samantha Smith (defender/goalie) head Roy-Hart’s veteran group. Rausch earned second team All-League honors last fall and Wagner was an honorable mention selection.

The Lady Rams are also counting on seniors Allie White (midfielder), Gabriella Vanille and Nicole Montpetit; juniors Chelsey VanBuren (goalie) and Ashlee Free (defender) and sophomores Kelly Bower (forward) and Jen Russell (defender).

Wilson

The reigning Class B finalists lost a number of key players, but still expect to be strong in the Niagara-Orleans League. First-year coach Melanie Rider welcomes back Lockport Union Sun & Journal Player of the Year Molly Curry, junior defender Kaitlyn Thompson and senior defender Sabrina Brown this fall. Curry, a sophomore, led the Lakewomen in goals a year ago, yet was mysteriously was relegated to only second team all-N-O. Also back is junior midfielder Lindsay Frauen and junior defender Cassie Wheeler.

“It’s a privilege to be coaching this team,” Rider said. “The girls have been training hard and are ready to succeed on and off the field this year.”

        

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