Fallsnewspress.com - Falls girls soccer restarts with new coach

by Michael Leonard

Sports Editor

Cuyahoga Falls -- Things didn't go according to plan for the 2009 Cuyahoga Falls girls soccer team.

The Black Tigers entered the season with high expectations and a ton of experience. They left with only three wins.

Those results, and the resignation of coach Michael Earnest has sent Falls back to the drawing board.

Drawing on that board is head coach Kendall Haidet, who returns for her second stint as head coach after spending three years with the Falls' middle school program.

Assistant coach Jack Davis stayed on at Falls, while Tashina Clinton also joins the coaching staff.

"My first thing was just to get the girls loving soccer and loving to play," Haidet said. "I wanted to get them learning the philosophy I bring in."

What is that philosophy?

"Attack, attack, attack," Haidet. "I'm very offensive-minded. I also want to make sure we're playing together and not making simple mistakes."

Haidet has committed Falls to play an up-tempo 4-3-3 formation with a sweeper/stopper backline.

Falls once again will play in the River Division of the Northeast Ohio Conference. They will face Mayfield, Parma, Normandy, Valley Forge and Stow-Munroe Falls in division play. The Black Tigers' schedule doesn't do them many favors, as Falls has only six home games this year.

Haidet also inherits a young team, as Falls lost seven seniors to graduation and has only four returning seniors. However, Haidet isn't worried.

"On paper, they're young but I feel they're experienced at the game," Haidet said.

Haidet said her team goal is simple: To finish the season with a winning record.

After backing up her sister Shelbey in goal last year, junior Tracy Stockich will get her shot as starting goaltender.

"She sees the whole field coming at her," Haidet said.

One of Falls' most experienced players will man the sweeper post as senior Katie Gall returns.

"She's very solid," Haidet said. "She's a great leader for us."

At stopper, Haidet said that junior Kristen Davis and senior Anna Zeller will each see time. However, Haidet said the two are "interchangeable" and that she prefers to keep Zeller in the central midfield spot because of her offensive prowess.

Junior left back Autumn Daines was one of many Black Tigers bit by the injury bug last season. Haidet said Daines is coming back to full strength. Haidet said she hoped to have junior right back Tauni Dauginitis back from injury in time for the season.

Sophomore Jackie Kerby also will see time at defense.

With Davis and Keller each set to see time at center midfield, Haidet said her outside midfield corps is loaded with "endurance players." Junior Allison Barber is set to start on the right and junior Kristen Pleat will start on the left, with junior Shyan Connelly and sophomore Elle Sage set for action off the bench.

Falls' forward pack took a big hit in the off-season, as junior Maria Cantanese suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during spring ball. Cantanese had surgery in June and Falls' leading scorer in 2009 has been lost for the season.

The wide forward positions will be manned by senior Marissa Mathieu on the right and junior Erika Rowlence on the left. However, Haidet notes she has been very impressed by a pair of freshman forwards. Emily Gall will see time at left forward, while Amanda Brodzinski will see time on the right.

The apex of Falls' attack will be senior forward Catherine Draves. Haidet said Draves will be asked to patrol the box for Falls and make most of the diagonal runs.

"The goal is to get a lot of movement from a lot of players," Haidet said. "That will help open the defense up."

Falls will open the season with a backyard battle against Woodridge -- which is Haidet's alma mater. The game will take place Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at Lahosky Field.

Falls' home opener will be Aug. 28 at 1 p.m. vs. Archbishop Hoban at the Laybourne Sports Complex.

E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113