Classes 5A and 3A look to have the area’s top boys’ soccer state title hopefuls, while strong Cheyenne Mountain and Lewis-Palmer programs lead the area in 4A.

One of the big school teams hoping to fare well is 5A Liberty. The Lancers started 2008 0-4-1, but finished 9-5-3, winning the 5A Colorado Springs Metro League title before falling to eventual champion Denver East in the second round of the state playoffs.

Liberty should be difficult to score on, boasting a defense whose shortest player is 5-foot-11 and a speedy group of forwards.

“I feel very upbeat about the team we have this year,” said coach Mike Goyden. “Normally, I kind of downplay the strength of our team, but I’m just very impressed with our team. We have a lot of good, talented players returning from last year. This team knows how well they can play.”

Pine Creek might have the best shot at knocking off Liberty. The Eagles lost to the Lancers in overtime last season, but bring back 10 seniors.

Junior standout Erich Marscheider might break all school goalkeeping records before he’s done. Goyden said Marscheider is probably the best keeper in the city right now.

“Liberty is always traditionally strong and has been our greatest hurdle to get past,” said Pine Creek coach Ben Corley, whose 2008 team matched a school best 12-2-1 record.

Air Academy battled Liberty to a tie last fall and has six seniors returning who would like to make it a victory this time around.

“Any time we play each other it’s just a huge rivalry,” Goyden said of the District 20 clashes with Air Academy and Pine Creek.

Air Academy should be a top challenger for the league title, Corley said.

Lewis-Palmer returns just three letter-winners but does have some depth. The Rangers should expect a stiff challenge in 4A from Cheyenne Mountain.

“We’re looking pretty strong,” said Indians coach Tomas Martinez. “I think we will have a good team.”

A veteran defense returns, balancing out an inexperienced offense.

Fountain Valley, the 3A state runner-up in 2007, could be the top area team in Region 10 while Colorado Springs Christian School and St. Mary’s are favorites in Region 8.

 

Team Previews

Class 5A

Air Academy — Sophomore standout Mark Dotseth and seniors Landon Brunk and Alex Dotseth lead a strong defense. On offense, the Kadets will look to first team all-league midfielder Ryan Dozier and seniors Louie Byington, Keaton Wiese and Marshall Hiner.

Coronado — Coach Matt Brickell returns four seniors in Christian Dreus, Winston Essieda, Ethan Hervey and Jason Lemmon, and a strong group of sophomores in Nathan Rubio, Paul Samia and Ethan Strauch.

Doherty — The Spartans hope to replace 13 graduates with players from a deep junior varsity program. Key letter-winners back on offense are all-5A Metro second team midfielder Josh Lahey, Tim Wilcox, Zach Cushing and Izak Huard. Kevin Story and goalkeeper Billy Bluejacket will shore up an inexperienced defense.

Fountain-Fort Carson — Coach Dwayne Freeman thinks this might be the deepest Trojans team he has had. Striker Jorge Perez and midfielder Christian Meyer will spark the offense and goalkeeper Ryan Bolte will be the staple on defense. Julian Uribe could emerge as a key player.

Liberty — The defending Metro champs return nine letter-winners, including all-5A Metro first team defender Patrick Slogic, all-league second team defender Scott Kisling and a strong keeper in Dillon Shook. Newcomer Taylor Sheppard (transfer from Germany) has looked good in goal as well. Tyson Ray and Brandon Herre, the top two returning scorers, and Jake Martinez will lead the offense.

Palmer — Led by senior Brandon McKay, the Terrors also return seniors Gavin Murphy and Zack Parrinella, junior Daniel Frenchmore and sophomores Marcus Jordan and Salvador Valdez.

Pine Creek — It could be the Zach-attack at Pine Creek with Zach Davis (10 goals, seven assists) and Zach Wiese (school-record 16 goals last season) returning, along with Kris Kauber, Brice Watt, Alex Frazier and Daniel Franquemont. Goalkeeper Erich Marscheider anchors a solid defense that includes Ryan Stewart, Ryan Walls and Jacob Beerman.

Rampart — The Rams hope to improve on a 9-7 record with a solid veteran offense that includes Zeb Wisenski, Grant Coleman, Nick Reff, Nick Travaile, Scott Haraway, Jesse Holzemek and Klebek Vanagas. Derek Rhoades, who missed last season due to knee surgery, also returns.

Sand Creek — The Scorpions have 10 letter-winners back from a 2008 team that posted its best record (10-4-2) and first state playoff appearance. All-league first team forward Tyler Bram and all-league second team midfielder Kevin Knowles will lead the offense. Corey Hastings, Allen Klingbeil and Cody Conklin will guide the defense.

CLASS 4A

Cañon City — No report.

Cheyenne Mountain — The defense looks solid since goalkeeper Zach Yellen returns along with John Anders, Greg Lawson and J.J. Parker. Offensively, Ben Glass may have to carry much of the load until the team gels.

Discovery Canyon — Alex Van Keulen and Tyler Longbons lead a good sophomore class that went 2-6 in the Pioneer League in 2008.

Falcon — Coach R.J. Dietzman leads the Falcons into their first season of varsity competition with hopes of being a playoff contender. Christian Tanksley (Sand Creek transfer) will work with Sterling Marten and Cameron Peaslee on offense. Garrett Fowler and Isaac Schoeppey will shore up the defense.

Harrison — Second-year coach Paul Brookens has 11 returning starters, including seniors Omar Aguilar, Eddie Chaviria, Jose Macias, Roben Medina, Jose Narvarez, Julian Peña, Angel Rojas and Luis Venegas.

Lewis-Palmer — All-4A Metro first team attacker Colton Briscoe, all-league second team attacker Kevin Lewis and all-league honorable mention goalkeeper Zach Ripple should provide balance on a roster that has 17 seniors for new coach Toni Furrer.

Mesa Ridge — The Grizzlies have a solid nucleus in Javier Gutierrez, Vincent Lopez, Thomas Westland and Nate Melbrod. Dominic Alexander and Joey Penner also return.

Mitchell — New coach Brett Humphrey has nine letter-winners back. Jacob Reasland, Jesus Chavez, Jesse Leaming and Wissam Albshara will guide the offense while Eric James and Maurisio Loa will head up the defense.

Palmer Ridge — The Bears have 13 letter-winners back to compete in their conference. Heading the list will be junior Nick Obermeyer, the 2008 Pioneer League Player of the Year. Jake MacLean, Ethan Marks, Kolbie Pedrie and Garrett Fritsche were all-league picks.

Vista Ridge — Christopher Stevens takes over coaching the second-year Pioneer League program (0-15, 2008). Dean Leck, Connor Hendich, Christian Erickson, Kyle Gahagan and Andy Oh return.

Wasson — Despite returning just four players, coach Brett Derickson expects to be “much improved this year because of excellent returning leadership.” Raul Ordaz and Connor Lynam should be key performers on defense, and Santiago Moreno will be a scoring threat.

Widefield — Monte Kelly was the 2008 league Coach of the Year, but won’t sit on his laurels as he hopes to compete with the likes of Cheyenne Mountain and Lewis-Palmer. All-league forward Dominic Segala, Ryan Kirkham and Dominic Sanchez return, as do Austin Primmer and Brandon Toves.

Woodland Park — Coach Andrew Pappadakis returns eight letter-winners, including seniors Caleb DiMarco, Ian Forbes-Harlan, Brandon Peters and Kevin Bernstetter, and juniors Josh Parr, Nathan Dodge, Philip Yarger and True Jones.

CLASS 3A

The Classical Academy — The Titans have solid returners in all-region first team defender E.J. Nelson, honorable mention defender Tim Smith and honorable mention midfielder Daylon Roitisch.

Colorado Springs Christian School — All-state first team forward Daniel Broas, now a junior, returns at midfield after posting 17 goals and 14 assists in 2008. All-league forward Michael Gillis (nine goals, 15 assists) and all-league defenders Chad Edmundson and Scott Pistor return after the Lions (17-1) gave up only 18 goals (school record) before falling in the state quarterfinals.

Colorado Springs School — The Kodiaks return a strong offense in all-league midfielder Delovell Earls (17 goals, 10 assists), Alex Drayton, Ryan Dick and Kendall McAteer. Goalkeeper Barron Collier and Ian Pelto return on defense.

Evangelical Christian Academy — All-state senior midfielder Braxton Finch and all-conference midfielder Caleb Bender, also a senior, return along with junior all-league forward Chris Kennedy.

Fountain Valley — The Danes should again be competitive thanks to a solid group of seniors in George Dillon, Jae Kim, John McCaffrey and Ricky Castanon on offense and defenders Ricky Creel, Sang Jun Moon and Glenn Lazar.

James Irwin — The roster boasts seven seniors, including Juan Alvarez (29 goals). He will be joined by David Groves, Darren Lightfoot, Caleb Volz, Chris Bowen and Dylan Hrkoch. The team will look to Erick Mock, Justin Jurardo, Brennan Tharaldson and goalkeeper Jacob Brenner on defense.

Manitou Springs — Eight letter-winners return including senior wing Garrett Eastep (one goal, two assists), junior midfielder Jake Wood (five goals, five assists) and junior defender Kevin Dlugos.

St. Mary’s — All-league players Jack Gendron (14 goals, eight assists), Corey Friend (10 goals, 11 assists) and Joe Morales (10 goals, eight assists) return. Ben Fetter, Will Sharkey and Mick Prantl could be keys on defense.

TIM TAYLOR AND JOE PAILSEY, THE GAZETTE

 

 

 

Pine Creek’s Zac Davis heads the ball on goal over Green Mountain’s Michael Brughell in this file photo taken last year. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

Kevin Kreck