Published: October 27, 2009 12:42 am      

KICK IT: 2009 Teams of the season are unveiled

So here it is: “Kick It’s” boys’ and girls’ high school soccer “Teams of the Season.”

And they probably bear little resemblance to your own teams, but isn’t that what it’s all about — opinions?

In fact, just on that point: If we’d picked teams straight after the regular season, they wouldn’t look remotely like what you’re reading before you today.

Congratulations to all and we would be interested to hear what your lineups would be.



BOYS

• DREW MATTINGLY (CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF INDIANA): Had eight clean sheets (i.e. shutouts) and kept the Warriors in the sectional game against Providence with some fine saves.

• NICK BLACKWELL (NEW ALBANY): Being deployed as a sweeper for New Albany’s postseason worked very well, with the Bulldogs reaching semistate without conceding a single goal.

• KEENAN SPARKS (PROVIDENCE): The player who caused the most controversy this postseason without actually meaning to, with the “pick-up” ball in the penalty box during the Providence-Jeff sectional final. What unfortunately didn’t grab as much attention was his impressive defensive performances this year. Let’s not forget the versatile Pioneer was chosen on our “Team of the Season” two years ago as a forward.

• SPENCER WHITEMAN (JEFFERSONVILLE): Strong in defense for the Red Devils, who finished 11-5-2 and a sectional champion.

• LUCAS RIGSBY (JEFFERSONVILLE): The junior winger secured his second sectional crown with the Red Devils and will be a major player for the team as a senior.

• ZACH BRUTSCHER (FLOYD CENTRAL): Some notable performances in the regular season, including the 4-0 victory against New Albany and the 3-2 win against Columbus East.

• VINCENT STRAIGHT (JEFFERSONVILLE): The Indiana ODP sophomore midfielder was influential in a number of important games and his absence was felt when the Red Devils were downed by New Albany in the regional semifinal.

• JORDAN VEJAR (JEFFERSONVILLE): The freshman made an immediate impact in his first season with Jeffersonville. One to watch in the coming years.

• KAMERON JENKINS (NEW ALBANY): Scored the game-winning goal — his fourth in the post-season — against Jeffersonville in the regional semifinal, and gave a tireless effort against Seymour in the Bulldogs’ regional final success.

• JORDAN ADAMS (FLOYD CENTRAL): Finished the season with 29 goals, becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer in the process with 73.

• ANDREW ROSENBERG (CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF INDIANA): The senior warrior was the area’s most prolific scorer with 36 goals and eight assists.

• TOP COACH — BEN VIGAR (NEW ALBANY): Winning more games in the postseason (five) than in the regular season (four) says everything that needs to be said about the Bulldogs’ turnaround campaign. Some successful defensive tactical changes combined with a battling team spirit brought regional success in Vigar’s first year as head coach.

• HONORABLE MENTION: Danny Hartman (New Albany), Brandon McLaughlin (New Albany), Chris Allen (Jeffersonville), Nathan Blair (New Albany), Max Orwick (Floyd Central), Will Spiller (Floyd Central), Chase Holland (Floyd Central), Zev Crawley (Providence), Andrew Gillenwater (Providence), Patrick Recalde (Jeffersonville), Gavin Leavell (Jeffersonville).



GIRLS

• NIKKI ROBERTS (FLOYD CENTRAL): Four postseason clean sheets swings the goalie spot in the direction of senior Roberts. Also made nine saves in the narrow 1-0 regional final loss to Columbus North.

• LYNDSAY HACK (NEW ALBANY): The senior put in a number of solid performances at sweeper, helping the Bulldogs to a 12-3-1 record.

• BRIGID MORRISSEY (FLOYD CENTRAL): Kept Casey Marlin scoreless when asked to do a man-marking job on her in the sectional semifinal, and did likewise against New Albany’s Kaitlin Robinett in the regular season. We’re talking about the area’s best two strikers this fall — enough said.

• ALYSEN SHIREMAN (FLOYD CENTRAL): The sophomore central defender did everything that was asked of her during sectional, forming a good partnership with Morrissey.

• KELSEY ROGERS (PROVIDENCE): Another of the area’s top defenders, who helped keep New Albany’s attack quiet in sectionals and played well against Floyd Central.

• KAYTON COLE (NEW ALBANY): Played mostly in defense, but we’ll have her playing left midfield. One of four (along with Robinett, Hack and Morrissey) who featured in our first team two years ago, and has matured enough to suggest she can take on a leadership role as a senior next year.

• LAUREN HALEY (FLOYD CENTRAL): The pocket rocket sophomore is one of the area’s outstanding players, and proved so with impressive performances throughout the fall.

• REBEKAH BURGAN (JEFFERSONVILLE): The speedy Mockingbird sophomore is deployed as an attacking midfielder in our team. Aided the Lady Red Devils to an improving season, and more to come next year.

• LEAH MATTINGLY (PROVIDENCE): The freshman, a sister of CAI keeper Drew Mattingly, can play in defense or midfield. Assisted with both goals against New Albany during sectionals and held her own against Floyd Central. Look out for her in the future.

• KAITLIN ROBINETT (NEW ALBANY): Finished the year with 21 goals, bringing her high school career total to 77.

• CASEY MARLIN (PROVIDENCE): Scored both goals to lead the Pioneers past New Albany in sectionals, and one half of what would be quite a prolific scoring partnership with Robinett.

• TOP COACH — LEWIE STEVENS (FLOYD CENTRAL): Fourth straight sectional success on the trot for the Lady Highlanders, and a fighting performance against Columbus North in the regional final that saw Stevens’ girls lose 1-0. Still the area’s dominant force in girls’ soccer.

• HONORABLE MENTION: Alyssa Hendershot (Providence), Jenny Miller (Floyd Central), Caley Marlin (Providence), Jaclyn Mann (Providence), Sophie Riggs (New Albany), Brittney Lipps (Jeffersonville), Emma Wesp (Charlestown), Kady O’Farrell (Floyd Central), Taylor Patty (Floyd Central), Cristian May-Boquiren (Providence).



‘FAB FOUR’ MAKE DISTRICT

Four of the area’s high school soccer players have been named on the 2009-10 All-District teams chosen by the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association.

Adams and Drew Mattingly are part of the District 5 boys’ first team for the second successive year, while Robinett was picked on the girls’ first team. Rosenberg was chosen on the second team.

CAI coach Will Lorigan said Mattingly had an outstanding season, which included eight shutouts.

“Over the last couple of years, the team has grown in confidence and the quality of play and Drew’s leadership has played a large part in this transformation,” said Lorigan. “Drew has outstanding technical ability and reflexes, and has read and directed the game well for us at the back all season.

“This is Drew’s second year in a row on the first team, which is a testament to the respect and recognition that not only Christian Academy has for Drew but the teams we play, especially some of the larger schools.”

As for Rosenberg, he said it is “quite an achievement” considering he often plays with two or three players marking him.

“He still manages to score and create opportunities for other players,” said Lorigan.

Adams, meanwhile, finished the season with 29 goals and the senior is now the Highlanders’ all-time leading scorer with 73. His tally this year matched last fall’s number.

Robinett was the only girl from the area selected on the District 5 first team.

She had 21 goals and six assists this season and ended with 77 career goals and 24 career assists.

“I am proud to be selected for the team and can’t wait to represent Southern Indiana at the showcase tournament,” Robinett told “Kick It.” “The years of hard work are finally paying off."

New Albany coach Julie Deuser said she is proud that Robinett, who is now bound for University of Evansville, has earned this top honor.

“She has been so much fun to coach these past two years,” she said. “I cannot think of anyone more deserving. She is one of the most-talented, skilled players I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. I was constantly impressed with her natural ability as well as her unmatched work ethic.”

All-District Showcase games will be held between Indiana’s six selected teams, boys and girls, on Nov. 21 and 22 at North Central High School in Indianapolis.

Coaches nominated players by submitting profiles in advance of their district meetings last week and every member coach in attendance had the opportunity to present and promote any players from their roster who are listed on the district ballot.

Each district selects 18 first-team and 12 second-team players. From this list, the top 18 junior and senior players are offered roster positions for the teams that compete against each other at the showcase games.

Not all of the area’s coaches signed up with the ISCA this year, and therefore were not eligible to nominate players off their teams. And not all of those that were signed up submitted nominations.

There were 14 players from the area nominated — nine girls and five boys. They included Casey Marlin, Caley Marlin, Rogers, May-Boquiren, Hendershot (Providence), Burgan, Lipps and Devin Conway (Jeffersonville) among the girls. The boys included Brutscher and Spiller.

More than 700 players were nominated throughout Indiana. To see the full list of District 5 teams, check out soccerindiana.blogspot.com.



SIU TRYOUTS

Southern Indiana United tryouts for the 2010 travel soccer spring season will be held for boys aged 15 and over at Prosser Field at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.

The U15s (players born between Aug. 1, 1994 and July 31, 1995) will play in the Kentucky Select Soccer League and the join-up fee is $400.

The U16s (players born between Aug. 1, 1993 and July 31, 1994) and U17s (players born between Aug. 1, 1992 and July 31, 1993) will play in the Indiana Soccer League and the fee is $425.

The U18s (players born between Aug. 1, 1991 and July 31, 1992) will play in the Kentucky Select Soccer League and the fee also is $425.

Players must attend both nights and a $200 deposit will be due immediately (by Sunday at the latest), with the balance due in full on Feb. 1. Fees cover two tournaments, salaries and travel expenses for coaches, referee fees for all league games, field maintenance costs, registration and administrative fees.

For further information, contact Debbie Webb at 812-945-5627 or check online at www.siusoccer.com.

Contact Aidan Kelly at aidokaydo@gmail.com.