GIRLS TEAMS WANT TO HIT GROUND RUNNING

Three of the area's five high school girls soccer teams Cape Girardeau Central, Jackson and Perryville reached district championship games last season while compiling impressive records and all should be strong again this year.

Notre Dame and St. Vincent didn't quite attain that level of success a year ago, but those squads also have high hopes for the new campaign.

The five squads will all kick things off next week, with a major highlight of the early season being the annual Noon Optimist Spring Classic next weekend at Notre Dame.

Cape Central

The Lady Tigers have had quite a run of recent success. Two years ago, they reached the Class 4A Final Four for the first time. Then last season, they went 19-7-1 and won a thrilling district title game, 3-2 over Jackson in three overtimes.

With 11 returning varsity players who all were at least part-time starters last year, coach Tom Doyle once again expects to field a strong team.

"I was excited about this year and so far the things we've done (in practice) haven't swayed me from that," said Doyle. "We should have a real good year. A lot depends on staying healthy and playing together as a team."

Leading the list of returning players for the Lady Tigers is senior Amber Voerg, who earned all-state honors last year as she scored a school-record 32 goals. She has scored 84 goals so far during her brilliant three-year career.

Earning honorable-mention all-state honors last year were senior Ashlie Voerg -- Amber's twin sister and goalkeeper Heather Hey.

Other seniors returning are Alyssa Holyfield, Rebecca Hellrich, Sarah Brown and Katie Hawkins while juniors back are second-leading scorer Trisha Klipfel, Cameron Bennett, Lesley Augspurger and Jessica Ham.

Doyle will also be looking for contributions from a strong freshmen class that could provide several regulars.

Central opens the season Tuesday at Carbdonale, Ill.

Notre Dame

The Lady Bulldogs struggled to a 7-16-2 record last year, but they graduated only two seniors and should be a lot healthier this time around after injuries slowed down several of their key players in 2000.

"We were so hampered by injuries last year, which really set us back," said coach Jeff Worley. "Probably the biggest thing about us is we'll be deep, deeper than we've been."

The Lady Bulldogs return their top two scorers from last season in senior Cyndi Cox and junior Emily Worley. Cox had 11 goals while Worley added nine despite missing several games with an injury.

Other returning starters are seniors Katie Mehner, Stephanie Meyer, Nicole Passini, Lynne Obermiller and goalie Laura Mittrucker, along with junior Courtney Vickery.

Among other players who should see plenty of action are senior Holly Montgomery and juniors Junior Janelle Glosemeyer (who started as a freshman but missed last season with an injury), Tracie Kluesner and Meredith LeGrand.

Notre Dame plays its first game Monday at St. Louis Notre Dame.

Jackson

Zack Walton, who took over the Jackson boys program last fall, has also assumed the coaching reins of the Lady Indians, who are coming off a 15-6-4 season that ended with the heartbreaking three-overtime loss to Cape Central in the district finals.

"I've got our expectations up there to do fairly well," said Walton. "I feel like we should be contenders for district again this year."

The Lady Indians return eight starters, including leading scorer Lacie Hodo, who tallied more than 20 games as a junior last year.

Other returning regulars are seniors Amanda Beussink and Kenzie Turley; juniors Erin Hartman, Dana Wright and Ashley Myer; and sophomores Trina Lang and goalie Whitney Werner.

Wendy Blankenship, the squad's final senior, also contributed last season.

Jackson opens the season in the Noon Optimist Spring Classic next weekend.

Perryville

The Lady Pirates also have a new coach in Brean LeMaster. She takes over a team that had quite a season last year, going 18-6-4 and finishing second in the Class 3A district tournament.

"We're pretty excited," said LeMaster, who is in her first year of coaching. "We're expecting a lot of good things. Their (the players') goal is to go to state."

LeMaster will be counting on six returning starters, including seniors Jamie Amberger, Stacy Baer, Robin Mueller and Brooke Winkler, along with juniors Brittney Weibrecht and goalie Amanda Nuyt.

Other returning varsity players are juniors Amy Steffens, Kate Bohnert, Cindy Riney, Laura Klaus and Julia Heuring, along with sophomore Jenna Schuessler.

Perryville opens the season Tuesday at Poplar Bluff.

St. Vincent

Yet another new area coach is in place as Eric Long takes over the Squaws, who went 9-8-1 a year ago.

A Cape Central graduate, Long was a boys assistant at Sikeston last season under his twin brother Derrick.

"We're young, but I think we look pretty good," said Long, who is in his first head coaching position. "We have a tougher schedule than last year, but I'm optimistic. I think we'll have a good season."

The Squaws have just one senior in Nicole Richardet. St. Vincent has four juniors: Kindle Ernst, Becky Kirn, Amy Wengert and Mindy Cattoor, who takes over as the squad's goalie.

St. Vincent will rely on a host of sophomores, led by Caitlin Hoeh, who was the Squaws' leading scorer last year as a freshman with 24 goals, along with Chelsey Brown, Beth Hennemann, Dani Emmendorfer and Danielle Schremp.

Leading a group of several freshmen who could make an impact is Amanda Carron.

St. Vincent plays its first game Wednesday at home against St. Pius.