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April 9, 2009

Girls soccer: Assumption searching for redemption this season

By Scott Williams
Daily Tribune Staff

It seems every team has one opponent that becomes its nemesis.

In the case of the Wisconsin Rapids Assumption girls soccer team, that problem team is Menasha St. Mary Central.

Assumption coach John Bignham would love to get another crack at the defending WIAA Division 3 state champions.

"We can't get over the hump there. We've lost to them three straight years in the sectional or regional," Bingham said.

Whether the Royals get another chance remains to be seen.

On paper, the Royals would seem to have enough firepower to compete with just about any Division 3 team.

Senior forwards Jada Straub and Morgan Hartness, along with juniors Molly Sigler and Rebecca Sigler, have demonstrated a knack for being able to find the back of the net.

Add sophomore Claire Bovee as well as juniors Carly Swank and Savannah Siegler to the mix up front and in the midfield, and Assumption should have no trouble scoring goals.

That doesn't mean Bingham wants to get involved in a shootout every match.

"I've gone to the old-school style this year. If the other team doesn't score, you always have a chance to win," he said. "Soccer coaches typically don't want to get into 5-4 games if they can help it."

Any possible concerns will center around the back line, where the Royals lost a pair of four-year starters on defense.

Senior defender Kelsey Peterson will be counted on to lead by example, and show the likes of senior Bekah Elsen and juniors Anna Kinzel and Hannah Osowski the finer points of the position at the varsity level.

The cohesiveness in the back will be a work in progress during the early portion of the season.

Helping the situation is senior keeper Mary Parmeter, who is as close to a sure thing as the final line of defense as a high school team can have.

"Giving up four goals is a little unusual for us. We're going to be good back there, but it's going to take a little while," Bingham said.

Morgans Hartness kicks soccer ball in Assumption game against Mauston.
Morgan Hartness of Assumption kicks the ball downfield as Leah Jurgensen of Mauston defends Monday in Wisconsin Rapids. (TOM LOUCKS/DAILY TRIBUNE)