Girls Soccer
Even with nine seniors, Lady Gulls rebuilding
was one penalty kick away
from making the state play-
offs a year ago — will still
Girls soccer was just one be a challenger for a top
of several sports that end- three spot in the Cowapa
ed with a Cowapa League League.
school winning a state
“We’ve got a ways to
championship last season.
go,” said Matt Johnson, in
The “Conference of Cham- his second year as coach.
pions” dominated 4A girls “We have some big prob-
soccer, with three teams ad- lems to solve. We lost a lot
YDQFLQJ WR WKH TXDUWHU¿QDOV of seniors, and they were
(Banks, Scappoose and Valley good leaders, too.”
Catholic), with the Valiants
The Gulls
winning the state title.
The Gulls currently have
The same three teams
will likely battle for a state nine seniors on the varsity
title this season, making it roster, to go with two ju-
GLI¿FXOW IRU WKH UHVW $V- niors, two sophomores and
toria, Seaside, Tillamook) four freshmen.
Seaside lost three all-
to have much success in
league players to gradua-
league play.
Despite the unexpected tion: Brianna Babbitt, Alli
loss of a couple all-league Utti and goalkeeper Allison
players, Seaside — which Bussert.
By Gary Henley
EO Media Group
All-leaguers Maddi Utti
and Sydney Villegas would
have been returning juniors,
but Utti is playing volley-
ball, and Villegas is running
cross country.
“I’ll miss ’em, whether
they graduated or they’re
trying another sport,” John-
son said.
The more immedi-
ate concern: “We have to
solve the keeper problem,”
he said. “When you have
someone like Allison, it was
fun to have coaches come
up to you after a game and
say ‘Wow, what a keeper!’”
7R KHOS ¿QG DQG GHYHO-
op a goalkeeper, Johnson
has brought two coaches
on staff to help, including
former coach Dave Rouse
and former Seaside keeper
Becca Lent. Former Gull
Josh Garhofer is also as-
sisting Johnson.
2QH GH¿QLWH EULJKW VSRW
is senior Whitney Wester-
holm, who “can play any-
where,” Johnson said.
“She’s a hard-working kid.
Brenda Lopez (Sr.) is vocal
and willing to take on chal-
lenges and lead by exam-
ple; Alie Zagata (Sr.) has
had a strong camp; Sophie
Trevino (Sr.) will be a good
player for us; and Morgan
Brown is a returning ju-
nior.”
Elsewhere,
“Lizzy
Barnes (Jr.) is experienced.
She will have to be more
vocal and get the younger
kids where they need to
be.”
Sophomore Bryre Bab-
bitt started as a freshman,
and is “having a great
camp,” Johnson said. “We
have some freshmen who
look like they’re going to
step right in. I’m just get-
ting to know the names and
faces.”
The Cowapa
Johnson expects Scap-
poose and Valley Catholic
to be strong — so strong
that the rest of the Cowapa
/HDJXHEHQH¿WVLQWKH53,
rankings by playing the In-
dians and the Valiants, who
have both won state cham-
pionships over the last two
years.
“They both have a good
tradition,” he said. “The
Astoria girls have been
working hard and they look
good. They’ll have a good
team and I expect them to
be tough.”
SEASIDE GIRLS
SOCCER
COACH: Matt Johnson,
2nd year
2014 SEASON: 5-6-4 (3-4-3
Cowapa)
PLAYOFFS: Lost Region-
al Play-in at North
Bend, 1-2 (3-4 PK’s)
ALL-LEAGUE LOSSES: Brian-
na Babbitt, Allison
Bussert (GK), Alli Utti;
Maddi Utti, Jr. (volley-
ball); Sydney Villegas,
Jr. (cross country).
ALL-LEAGUE RETURNER:
Whitney Westerholm,
Sr.
G O
S
S E A G ULLS !
PEACE FROG
sa ys
GO
SEASIDE
GULLS
415 Broadway
Seaside, OR
503.738.6225
JOSHUA BESSEX/THE DAILY ASTORIAN
With teammate Tania Martinez trailing, Seaside’s Corrie Falleur delivers a shot during soccer
practice.
Prou d
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of SH S
Sports
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Seagull Pride • Spring 2015 • Seaside Signal/Cannon Beach Gazette • 9