WINNING PROGRAMS RETURN TOP TALENT FROM LAST SEASON

The three high school boys soccer teams in the immediate area all had winning seasons last year, with Notre Dame capturing its third consecutive Class 1A-3A district championship.

That success figures to continue this year as Cape Girardeau Central and Jackson join Notre Dame in having high hopes entering the 2001 campaign.

Following is a preview of the three squads as the season gets under way in the next several days.

Cape Central

Despite being the No. 1 seed for last season's 4A district tournament, the defending champion Tigers fell short as they were upset by Poplar Bluff in the finals.

But with nine returning players who saw at least some starting action a year ago, along with a promising crop of sophomores, coach Tom Doyle is looking for big things from a squad that went 14-8-3 in 2000.

"You never know what will happen injury-wise, but I expect we'll be real good this year," said Doyle. "We've got an experienced team along with some very good young players and I think we'll have more speed than we've had.

"Our goal is definitely to get back the district championship."

Among the returning regulars are two seniors who will be entering their fourth season as starters: goalkeeper Trevor Blattner and Jon Mark Thompson, last year's leading scorer as he put in 12 goals and added nine assists.

"Those two have had great careers for us," Doyle said.

Other seniors who saw starting action last year are Eric Daume, Nathan Foley, Cody Hill, Clint Hoffman and Arthur Pilsner. Juniors Chad Proffer and Whit Lynn also got plenty of starts in 2000.

Among other players who are seriously challenging for starting positions are seven sophomores, most of them members of last year's JV team, although Jordan Duncan spent his freshman season on the varsity.

The other promising sophomores are Heath Orr, Josh Fee, Calen Wills, Aaron Bornstein, Bryan Ross and James Russell. Orr led last season's JV squad in scoring.

Central opens the season Monday at Carbondale, Ill.

Notre Dame

The Bulldogs have had an impressive six-year run, going 114-32-13 during that span, and coach Brad Wittenborn expects that success to continue. In fact, Wittenborn is even hopeful that the Bulldogs can get to where no other Notre Dame soccer team has ever been -- the state's final four.

"We've been having pretty good luck with districts, but we've never won that sectional game and we need to go one more round this year," said Wittenborn. "The last three years we've lost to St. Mary's in sectionals. We've had our chances, but never have been able to beat them. This would be a good year to knock them off."

With only one player having graduated from last year's 18-8-1 squad -- Nick Kapfer -- Notre Dame just might finally win a post-district game.

"We're faster, bigger and stronger than last year. And the guys have worked extremely hard," Wittenborn said. "If we stay healthy, I really like the team we've got. Our goal is to make it to the final four."

Notre Dame has an experienced team with 10 seniors and a host of juniors.

Among the Bulldogs' numerous returning starters are senior Scott Wittenborn and speedy junior Tyler Cuba, who scored 24 and 20 goals, respectively, in 2000. Wittenborn's total set a school record as he earned first-team all-state honors. Cuba was honorable-mention all-state.

Other returning regulars are seniors Nathan LeGrand, Timmy Wencewicz, Shane Kistner, Andy Arnzen, Matt Pobst and Paul Unterreiner; and juniors Jeff Brosey and Adam Prasanphanich.

Seniors Dustin Klipfel and Tim Buerck, along with juniors Dustin Haupt and Dustin Tatum, all saw some starting action last year while junior Travis Siebert also returns.

The squad's final senior is Christopher Hinkle, who saw limited action last year, while Wittenborn is high on two juniors who have moved up from last year's JV: Christian Berens and Josh Essner.

Unterreiner, the Bulldogs' regular goalie, hurt his back over the summer and probably won't be ready for the start of the season, in which case Siebert will be between the posts.

Notre Dame opens the campaign Thursday in its annual eight-team Soccerfest.

Jackson

Zack Walton had a successful rookie season as the Indians' coach last year as Jackson went 14-5-2, including a last-minute loss to eventual champion Poplar Bluff in the district semifinals.

With an experienced squad returning, Walton is hopeful of another strong campaign.

"We've got a big number of seniors and juniors so we should have some good opportunities," Walton said. "You don't want to be too optimistic because you don't want to fill their heads up too much, but if we'll work hard I think some good things can come out of this year."

Returning starters for the Indians are seniors Matt Gordon, Patrick Kohm and Michael Schuette; and juniors Balraj Dirnberger, Matt Litzelfelner and Austin McDowell, the team's goalie.

Others who saw varsity action last year are seniors Ryan McClard, Matt Buttrey, Trent Forrester and Paul O'Brien; and junior Matt Neal.

Walton is also counting on contributions from juniors Stuart Knowlan and Mitchell Casteel, who are both up off the JV squad.

Jackson kicks off the season Tuesday at home against Cape Central.