Lady Bear soccer team hoping to turn the corner
WARSAW – After a pair of seasons in which it finished below the .500 mark, the River View High School girls’ soccer team is hoping 2014 is a season of change.
“This, we hope, will be the final year of a rebuilding process,” said head coach Dave Kridler, who begins his 14th season at the helm.
The Lady Bears finished last year with a 5-11-2 record which is extremely uncharacteristic of the traditionally strong program. Indicative of the type of success it is used to is the fact that Kridler has amassed an overall coaching record of 179-59-13 during his tenure.
The reason for optimism lies with the fact that 10 returning letter winners will fulfill the majority of the starting lineup and help make up for the loss of three graduates.
Included in that group are seniors Shawnalyn Dobson, Shelby Mizer, Kate Wright and Heather Maxwell, all whom are sharing captain responsibilities.
Dobson will start in the midfield while Mizer and Wright are defenders. Maxwell returns at goalkeeper, a position she has competed at for four years.
“They (the seniors) have all experienced both success and struggles,” Kridler said
Juniors who return include Jensen Hocter (forward), Amy Johnson (midfield); and sophomores Danielle Muhleman (midfield), Zoe Smalley (forward), Kinzie Addy (defender) and Kristin Roberts (defender).
Promising newcomers are freshmen Jessie Vandenbark who will likely start at forward, and defender Mallory Giffin.
Vandenbark made her presence felt during a season-opening 5-1 victory over Steubenville Catholic Central in which she scored four goals. Hocter added the other.
“We expect to be more productive offensively, but have not yet jelled defensively,” Kridler said.
Others who hope to contribute include juniors Katie Lahna (midfield), Morgan Ashcraft (forward), Sarah Kittner (midfield) and K.J. Smailes (midfield); sophomores Taylor Massie (midfield), Kirsten Titus (midfield), Lizzie Higgins (defender), Maggie Snyder (defender) Mackenzie Doughty (midfield), Shawna Shroyer (defender) and Eden Ehman (defender).
Also in the mix will be freshmen Lauren Krystek (keeper), Sydney McKee (defender) and Emily Jacobs (midfield).
The Lady Bears also took on Chippewa, West Muskingum and Zanesville. Another highlight of the early-season schedule will be the Labor Day Showcase on Monday, Sept. 1 with several high-quality teams converging on the pitch at RVHS.
“I feel that any of the four East Central Ohio League teams could emerge as champions,” Kridler said. “We hope to be one of those four.”
Kridler is assisted by Wes Brenly.
Category: High School
