Girls soccer: MCC loaded with returning talent
With the push of Mid-Columbia club teams and the rise of skilled coaches in the area, the talent level of girls soccer in the Tri-Cities might be the best it has ever been.
True, the Mid-Columbia Conference graduated 11 of its 13 first-team all-conference selections, but the returning talent is enough to impress even the most particular of college recruiters.
It’s the year of the forward, as the MCC returns its top three scorers from last season — two-time all-MCC selections Braydey Hodgins (20 goals, 11 assists) and Alexis Stephenson (15 goals, 12 assists) of Chiawana, and Samantha Heilman (17 goals, 10 assists) of Richland. In all, eight of the top 12 goal scorers are back.
Several more strikers will grace the pitch this year, including Rilee Castilla of Kamiakin (16 goals), and Mercedes Haberlinge (13 goals, 7 assists) and McKaley Goffard (11 goals) of Southridge.
But talented forwards aren’t the only thing that will help Mid-Columbia teams push into the postseason. Here’s a run-down of what to expect:
MCC’s top 3A team: Kamiakin or Southridge?
Too close to call. With each team returning eight starters, these matches will be super tight. The two teams don’t like each other much, and this intercity battle has replaced Kamiakin-Richland as the league’s best rivalry. Expect the intensity between the Braves and Suns to rival a state playoff game.
Don’t count out Hanford, which gets a new coach in Kaylie Winston, the former Pasco and Walla Walla Community College star. And Kennewick has already shown remarkable signs of competitiveness in its first three games this season.
Richland, Pasco or Chiawana in MCC4A?
Chiawana, which challenged Kamiakin for the MCC title in 2013, is the favorite, but it won’t be easy. The Riverhawks return their three-forward attack of Hodgins, Stephenson and Molly Sullivan, who combined for 42 goals last year, and also bring back the MCC’s top returning goalkeeper in Cydni Cottrell (0.80 goals-against avg., 6 shutouts in MCC play).
Richland is always a threat with Heilman, who might be the league’s best player, and what coach Sara Elfering considers her most cohesive team ever. Pasco saw 50 players turn out, a positive sign for a proud program that is always competitive. Walla Walla won just one league game in 2013 but is counting on strong senior leadership.
MCC’s top returners
Heilman and Stephenson are Division-I caliber players who should have several choices of where to play soccer in college. They’ll be the ones to stop this year, but the talent runs deep in the MCC.
Hodgins may play basketball in college, but opponents can’t hang with her in the air. Kamiakin junior Heather Donais is one of the league’s most athletic players, scoring goals in her first three games this year despite playing defense. Pasco senior Megan Zimmerman is a four-year starter with soccer in her blood (brother Preston played professionally in Germany).
Haberling started out in goal for Southridge last season but emerged as the team’s top striker with 13 goals. Castilla was one of Kamiakin’s top surprises last year with 16 goals.
Hannah Templeton of Kennewick might not get a chance to score a lot of goals, but she’s one of the top competitors in the league.
Best newcomers
Summer Yates, a Chiawana freshman forward, made news over the summer, earning a spot on the girls U-14 U.S. National soccer team. She will find time at forward and midfield.
At Southridge, Haley Thomas and Emily Russell started last year as freshmen, and Suns coach Greg Sambrano believes they could be ready for big seasons.
Pasco coach Justin Carey is impressed by defenders Eden Snider and Dani Gibson, who have a knack for winning the ball. Kennewick freshmen midfielders Bailee Rae and Sydney Cook are club players who could elevate the Lions’ game.
At Hanford, Hannah Thompson and Dani Mendoza could also make an impact this year.
CWAC, SCAC East
West Valley moved up to the Columbia Basin Big Nine conference, so the CWAC is wide open. Ephrata could be the one to beat with four all-conference players returning. Prosser, however, could make a strong run at a title with a young core of players returning. Ellensburg will be in the mix of contenders, and don’t rule out Othello.
In the SCAC East, Connell looks to defend it’s league title behind all-league goalkeeper Gloria Gomez. Watch for Kiona-Benton to make a run as well with two first-team mid-fielders in Emily Thornton and Sabrina Acevedo.
MCC
2013 league champion: Kamiakin
Returning All-Conference players
First team
F—Samantha Heilman, jr., Richland; Alexis Stephenson, sr., Chiawana.
Second team
GK—Cydni Cottrell, jr., Chiawana. F—Mercedes Haberling, sr., Southridge; Rilee Castilla, soph., Kamiakin; Braydey Hodgins, jr., Chiawana. MF—Hannah Templeton, jr., Kennewick; Megan Zimmerman, sr., Pasco. D—Sara Burns, sr., Kamiakin; Hannah Lea, sr., Richland; Rachel Ensign, jr., Kamiakin; Heather Donais, jr., Kamiakin.
Honorable mention
GK—Erin Leseberg, jr., Kamiakin. F—Molly Sullivan, sr., Chiawana; McKaley Goffard, soph., Southridge. MF—Tate Kautzky, jr., Richland. D—Bri Hunting, jr., Southridge.
CWAC
2013 league champion: West Valley (now in CBBN)
Returning All-Conference players
First team
F—Haley Berryman, sr., Ephrata; Mariah Rojas, sr., East Valley.
Second team
GK—Adriana Simmons, sr., Ephrata. D—Katie Friesz, sr., East Valley; Veronica Cueva, sr., Toppenish; Denise Ruvalcaba, sr., Prosser. MF—Jordan Arlt, jr., Ellensburg; Rachel Jeffries, jr., Ellensburg; Kimberlin Bennett, sr., Ephrata. F—Jasmine Lemos, sr., Prosser; Ashley Kuhlman, sr., Selah.
Honorable mention
GK—Kenna Leach, jr., East Valley. D—Emma Schutt, soph., Prosser. MF—Nicki Velasquez, soph., Othello; Fredeline Ham, sr., Ephrata. F—Jamie Fassler, soph., Prosser; Kimberlee Garza, sr., Othello; Mayra Fuentes, jr., Toppenish.
SCAC EAST
2013 league champion: Connell
Returning All-Conference players
First team
D—Fatima Romero, sr., Wahluke. MF—Emily Thornton, jr, Kiona-Benton; Sabrina Acevedo, sr., Kiona-Benton; Jackie Guadarrama, sr., Royal.
Second team
GK—Gloria Gomez, sr., Connell. MF—Abby Pendergast, jr, Kiona-Benton; Idanes Cruz, sr., Wahluke; Flor Araujo, sr., Royal. F—Liliana Celaya, soph., Wahluke.
This story was originally published September 14, 2014 at 10:15 PM with the headline "Girls soccer: MCC loaded with returning talent."