GIRLS SOCCER TO KICK OFF ANOTHER YEAR

Cape Girardeau Central High's girls soccer team likely will again be the team to beat in Southeast Missouri, though Jackson and Perryville are seeking to begin gaining ground when the season kicks off Monday.

And small schools Notre Dame and newcomer St. Vincent hope to take advantage of the split of Missouri's former single classification as members of the new Class 1A-2A.

Cape Central

Central, which went 20-1-1 last year, dropped just two matches in the past two seasons -- both in the sectional round, both to the eventual state champion.

Central lost first-team all-state goalkeeper Amy Harris to graduation but returns honorable mention all-staters Amber and Ashlie Voerg, both sophomores. Amber Voerg established a team record with 26 goals last season, and her twin sister was the team's top defender. Sophomore Heather Hey, the junior varsity goalie last season, will fill that role on the varsity squad.

Senior Kim Aslinger and junior Amanda Hiler, who scored 12 goals last year, are also among Central's nine returning starters.

Central coach Tom Doyle said his team should sport a "strong defense plus a potent offense. When you have three, four, five players who can score, it's tough for the other team to hold you down."

Other Lady Tigers who will see a lot of game time are seniors Erica McDonald, Rachel Hessenkaemper, Corie Nunnally and Annie Christian, and juniors Katie Cozby, Jennifer Daume and Lorie Bittle.

Notre Dame

Thirty of the 36 players out for soccer are sophomores or freshmen, but Notre Dame coach Jeff Worley says he has "more players who have played a considerable amount of soccer" than ever.

The leading returner for Notre Dame (8-13-1) is junior Jill Edwards, who had 12 goals and seven assists last year. Also back are senior goalie Shannel Buelteman, senior Jessica Lawrence, senior Stephanie Miller and junior Michelle Hency.

Among the host of underclassmen are sophomores Lynne Obermiller, Katie Mehner, Stephanie Meyer, Holly Montgomery, Cyndi Cox, Nicole Passini, Laura Huber, Laura Mittrucker and Kim Crader, and freshmen Janelle Glosemeyer, Emily Worley and Katlyn Kelley.

"With so many freshmen and sophomores, there are some opportunties open," Worley said. "We're trying to get this young group together, and we're looking to make a little more noise in the district tournament."

Jackson

Last season ended in disappointment for Jackson (14-5-1) with a loss to Perryville in the district semifinals.

But coach Bonnie Knowlan hopes her team can avenge that loss this season, and maybe even come away with its first district crown. "I'd like to see us win district," she said. "I'm hoping this will be their year. We have better athletes than we've ever had, and these girls work really hard."

Jackson returns six starters, led by junior Julie Wunderlich, the team's leading scorer last season. Other returners are seniors Carrie Myers, Jessica Shultz (who signed to play next year for Missouri-Rolla), Jennifer Brown and Jennifer Horst, junior Kerrie Gordon and sophomore Amanda Beussink. Senior Dana Littlepage, who didn't play last season, will be the starting goalkeeper.

Other Lady Indians are seniors Laura Beck and Sarah Johnson, juniors Laura Horst, Sarah Schlick and Amanda Lowes, and sophomores Kaci Thompson, Wendy Blankenship, Lacie Hodo, McKenzie Turley and Caitlin Roark.

Perryville

Perryville, which lost to Cape Central in the championship game of the district tournament last season, finished 12-7 in its successful inaugural season. Eight starters return from that team.

Coach Duane Hadler said, "We'd like to improve on last year. I'd like to see us win a district championship. I think we have the athleticism, but we have to work on our skills and work as a team."

Perryville's top returners are junior Amanda Schumer and sophomores Stacy Baer and Brooke Winkler. The other starters from last year are seniors Jeni Blevins, Jaimee Mueller and Shannon Dreyer, and sophomores Robin Mueller and Jaime Amberger.

Several freshmen should play critical roles. They are Britney Weibrecht, Cindy Rhyne, Julia Heuring, Laura Klaus, Amy Steffens and Amanda Nuyt.

St. Vincent

St. Vincent will field a team for the first time this season, but coach Mike Nichols said his players aren't lacking in experience.

Nichols said his players' background in leagues and the Show-Me State Games should allow for "a successful, winning team. The girls should be able to hold their own."

Thirteen girls came out for the team. Juniors Jessica Lakenan, Cari Strattman and Amy Leible, the goalie, should be the top players, along with seniors Kaci Kutz and Stephanie Schremp.

Other Squaws are senior Andrea Robinson, sophomores Danielle Sutterer, Nicole Richardet, Alison Moll and Monica Weith, and freshmen Kindle Ernst, Becky Kirn and Amy Wengert.