Utica¹s Sabreena Kammo (right) attempts to keep the ball away from teammate Michelle Gambino during a recent Chieftain preseason workout. Source photo by Kevin Lozon

Each area team brings back a solid core of talent to go along with an up-and-coming group of varsity rookies.

The following is a preview of area teams:

At Eisenhower, expectations are high for the Eagles, who finished 12-2-3 overall last season, but return 14 players.

“The mood is good and the girls are excited so far,” Eagle coach Mehrdad Nekoogar said. “The girls have high expectations.”

Among the long list of returnees are seniors Shelly Rogers (midfield), Toni DiCicco (defense), Natalie Galouvska (defense), Alexa Sudomier (forward), Nicole Vick (midfield), Bria Kozecki (forward), Joanna Hinde (goalie), juniors Vicky Lipinski (goalie), Amanda Maxim (midfield), Stefana Ciraulo (defense), Alyssa Telang (forward), Allie Misner (defense), Christine Kelly (midfield), and sophomore Alyssa Tomassi (forward).

“Our strength is our defense and goalkeeping,” Nekoogar said. “We have more experience than we’ve ever had before. Offensively, I was concerned last year because we just couldn’t put the ball into the net.”

Rounding out the Eagle squad are varsity rookies, sophomore Stacey Catalano (forward), and freshmen Megan Marsack (forward) and Aubrey Sudomier.(midfield).

“We have to keep our concentration and take the game seriously,” Nekoogar said. “We also have to stay injury-free this season. If we can, we will be decent.”

As for the MAC Red Division, Nekoogar said it should be tough from top to bottom.

“Honestly, every team is tough in the MAC Red Division,” Nekoogar said. “Every game will be a dog fight. Stevenson has a lot of experienced players back, and Grosse Pointe North is always dangerous. Grosse Pointe South is solid and Chippewa Valley plays a very tough game. Ford has a new, great coach, who the girls are excited to play for.”

Eisenhower opens its season at L’Anse Creuse North on April 7 at 7 p.m.

At Ford II, the Falcons open the season with a new leader in charge as Stacy Rogers takes over for longtime soccer coach Carl Territo Jr.

Rogers graduated from Eisenhower in 2003, before playing college soccer at Western Michigan University for four years. Her sister, Shelly Rogers, is a senior on this year’s Eagle squad.

“It wasn’t a hard change coming over here to Ford,” Rogers said. “I love Utica Community Schools and they gave a lot to me when I went to school here. Now I feel I get a chance to give back to the girls playing now. This is a place here in UCS that I want to be at.

“I have so much passion and energy for soccer and have played the game since I was 5 years old,” Rogers added. “It’s a start to a new beginning in my life, and teaching the girls soccer makes me smile every day.”

Rogers takes over a Falcon team that finished 10-10-1 overall last season. However, with 12 returning players, an improvement on that record is achievable.

Returning for the Falcons are seniors Kayla Greenwald (midfield), Ashley LaFeir (defense), Claire Leguen (defense), Shannon Scott (defense), juniors Lauren Fortuna (forward), Madison Forsyth (defense), Rachel Wisniewski (midfield), and sophomores Matti Chappelle (midfield), Rachael Lasczak (midfield), Allison Viera (defense), Katie Scheft (forward) and Kelly Misch (midfield). Newcomers to the squad are senior Allie Cole (forward/midfield), junior Chelsea Boroski (goalie), sophomore Anita Kirovski (goalie), and freshmen Taylor Niewoit (midfield), Leanne Boehn (forward) and Erin Beckwell (midfield).

“The girls look very good and are excited for the season,” Rogers said. “They’re hungry. All of their games were close last year and this year it’s going to come down to finishing our opportunities, putting the ball in the back of the net.”

One area of concern for Rogers rests with the youth on the team. Despite all the returning talent, the team only has four seniors.

“I expect leadership from all four classes,” Rogers said. “We’re still developing our youth, but I don’t see it as being a big weakness. We have to put in a solid effort day in and day out. They have to come to every practice and every game ready to play at their highest potential.”

The Falcons will go to battle in the MAC Red Division this season and Rogers said she expects it to be as tough as when she played at Eisenhower.

“The division always has solid girls teams,” Rogers said. “It all depends on who comes to play each day and who is going to be in sync with each other. My girls have to work every day to be the best they can be.

Ford opens its season on April 9 at Grosse Pointe South, beginning at 7 p.m.

At Parkway Christian, the Eagles also open this season with a new head coach as Joe DePasquale takes over the reins, getting help from his daughter and co-coach, Rachel.

“I’m used to coaching boys varsity soccer,” DePasquale said. “Coaching with my daughter, Rachel, it’s an opportunity for us to do this together and we’re really looking forward to it. The girls have made some big progress the last couple of years and we’re looking forward to a big year this year.”

DePasquale has a fine nucleus to build around as 11 players return to this season’s team. The returnees include seniors Robyn Petroski (forward), Kelley Lecomte (midfield), Kelly Doom (midfield), Grace Lang (defense), juniors Laura Hoover (goalie/defense), Chelsea Davidson (defense), sophomores Sara VanProeyen (forward), Justine DiMercurio (forward), Hope Lang (defense), Shelby Chute (midfield) and Gabrielle Clement (midfield).

“We have a core group up the middle that will be strong,” DePasquale said. “We have some girls who are trying hard, learning and want to form around them.”

Among the newcomers to the Eagle lineup this season are seniors Bianca Baicoianu (forward), Gabby Saulsby (goalie), sophomores Rebecca Davis (defense), Dawn Stroball (defense), and freshmen Courtney Baird (midfield), Kezia Matthew (goalie) and Olivia Jacob (defense).

Among the areas of concern heading in for DePasquale is the lack of experience the team has between the posts and putting the ball in net

“Developing a goalie is a key for us,” DePasquale said. “Gabby Saulsby has great potential and great hands. She has the mentality of a goalie.

“We have some speed up front, but whether or not we can finish at the goal is a key,” DePasquale added. “It’s a challenge. Our defense will be solid and we have good speed.”

Parkway will be in the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference this season and DePasquale said Roeper and Plymouth Christian are the two teams that everyone will be shooting for.

“We’re going to be somewhere in the middle of the pack,” DePasquale said. “Roeper and Plymouth Christian will be our two biggest challenges and we expect to hold our own with everyone on our schedule.”

The Eagles will open their season on April 7 at Faith Christian in Mount Clemens. Game time has yet to be determined.

At Sterling Heights, the Stallions hope to rebound from a 4-10-3 record from a year ago and have eight returning players ready to lead the turnaround.

“We’ll be all right,” Stallion coach Steve Fiordellisi said. “The camaraderie from last year will extend into this year. We’re a year older and success should come from that.”

Back for the Stallions are seniors Tina Tuzzolino (defense), Amy Sczcepanski (midfield), Allison Spath (forward), juniors Lauryn Dostilio (midfield), Tara Lynn O’Gara (defense), Megan Dunklin (defense), and sophomore Emma Nehan (forward) and Kylie Smith (midfield).

“The girls have a great work ethic,” Fiordellisi said. “They’re willing to do more than the average team. This is a very smart team and should make the right decisions on the field and create options.”

The one area of concern for Sterling Heights is offensively and scoring goals.

“The question is, will we finish?” Fiordellisi said. “We have yet to prove if we can score. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

As for a favorite in the MAC Blue Division, Fiordellisi said Lakeview and Dakota are two teams to watch out for.

“Lakeview has always been a challenge for us for years and Dakota has some very fine athletes,” Fiordellisi said. “For us, it’s all about scoring goals. Last year we lost eight or nine games by two goals or less. If we can score, we’ll challenge for it.”

Sterling Heights opens its season at Utica High School on April 7 at 7 p.m.

At Stevenson, if scoring and goalkeeping are secrets to championships, this year’s Titan soccer team could be in line for a special season.

The Titans return 14 players from last season’s team which finished 15-3-4 overall, making it to the regional final. However, with several goal-scorers back and two solid goalkeepers returning, coach Bob Mondoux is obviously optimistic.

“We have a nice mix,” Mondoux said. “I’m really comfortable with my seniors. They’re quality kids and players. We’re strong up top, but we have to stay healthy.

“I also believe I have to the two best goalies in the league with Chelsea Parise and Alex Cousineau, but they can only do so much,” Mondoux added. “We’re strong all over the field and when we sub off the bench, we shouldn’t miss a beat. Our expectations are high and chances are realistic.”

Parise is a senior goalkeeper, while Cousineau is a junior. Other returnees for Stevenson include seniors Vanessa Atanasoski (midfield/forward), Amy Trandell (forward), Lauren Turnkington (midfield), juniors Danielle Lipa (forward), Mallory McCarthy (defense), Jamie Monterosso (defense/midfield), Ellen Dwyer (midfield), and sophomores Jessica Lesperance (midfield), Jill Matthew (midfield/defense), Sarah Surzyn (defense), Alaina Kristoff (midfield) and Alexis Reaume (midfield).

“We have a lot of faith up front with Vanessa and Amy Trandell,” Mondoux said. “I also feel that way with my two goalies. If we stay healthy in those two positions, we’ll be OK.”

Rounding out the Titan roster are junior Madison Kitchen (defense), who transferred over to Stevenson from Sterling Heights, and sophomores Morgan Collins (midfield) and Nicole Mizgalski (midfield).

Mondoux said one area of concern is with the amount of youth, though experienced, he has on his team.

“We need to have that maturity level to go with the talent,” Mondoux said. “We have to say healthy and get a little lucky. Soccer is a game of opportunity, limiting the ones against you and creating your own.”

The Titans will battle for the MAC Red Division crown this season and Mondoux said he feels several teams will vie for the title.

“I think it’s going to be a three-team race,” Mondoux said. “Eisenhower didn’t lose anything after last year and have a strong group of freshmen coming in, and then there’s us and Grosse Pointe North. Chippewa Valley will be strong as well.”

Stevenson opens its season on March 31 at Clarkston, beginning at 7 p.m.

At Utica, the Chieftains are ready to forget about last season’s 3-11-3 record and are hoping for better results in 2008.

Utica coach Dave Moran said he’s encouraged at what he’s seeing in early practices.

“Honestly, this is the most balanced team I’ve had here at Utica,” Moran said. “They’re excited about playing soccer. The seniors are excited about soccer as are the freshmen, sophomores, juniors and myself. I think we can score more goals this year and have good balance on defense, too.

The Chieftains have many familiar faces on the team this season, returning eight players. Leading the way are seniors Alyssa Duhr (goalie), Trish DeLuca (defense), Michelle Gambino (forward), Sabreena Kammo (midfield), juniors Becca Carley (midfield/forward), Jenny Henige (defense), Audrey Huth (midfield) and Whitney Iafrate (defense).

Newcomers to the Utica squad include senior Lacy Sturgess (defense), juniors Mara Maday (midfield), Ashley Ropes (midfield/forward), sophomores Becky Berels (forward/midfield), Marie Dorfeld (forward), Amanda Trigger (defense), and freshmen Rachel Chaney (midfield), Taylor Randazzo (goalie) and Kristen Sabiston (defense).

“One of the things we’re working on right now is the inexperience of playing with each other,” Moran said. “We only return eight girls and we have to incorporate the others and see how they work out.”

Among the team’s strengths, Moran said, the attitude of the team has been super so far, adding every girl has been receptive to Sunday practices. He also said in order to be successful, the team must score when opportunities exist.

“We have to finish where we fell short last year,” Moran said. “We lost a lot of our games late in the second half. We have to establish leads early and then keep them.”

Utica will compete in the MAC White Division again this season and Moran said defending champion Fraser is the team to beat.

“Fraser won it last year and they return a lot of players this season,” Moran said. “As for us, I think we can be in the top three, competing for the top position. I think we’ll surprise a lot of teams. The big thing for us is winning is contagious. We need to get a few early wins and get on a roll.”

Utica opens its season April 2, playing host to Dakota at 7 p.m.