Girls' soccer city team previews

Bryan Station

Coach: Kristian Tyler Junker (second season, 0-15-2)

Record: 0-15-2 (lost in first round of district tournament)

Top players: Danielle Kane (sr., midfielder); Meghan Alessi (sr., forward); Lauren Birch (jr., fullback); Luci Lucas (jr., fullback); Joy Arosemena (jr., GK)

Outlook: The Defenders scored just one goal last season and lost 15 games, but Junker says they've "regained a positive attitude" and have already shown they can succeed in games and scrimmages this summer. Several key players return for Station, including Kane, who was injured last season, as well as Alessi at forward. Several freshmen, including Hallie Scanlon and Hanna McGoodwin, should add depth and dimension to Station's attack. The back will have to adjust after losing four-year starter and leader Claire Henkel to graduation, but Lucas and Birch return. Junker said he can see the skill level growing daily and he expects it will translate into some success on the field this season.

Defenders' schedule

Wed.—Estill Co., 6; Sat.—at Paris Relay for Life vs. Berea, 9 a.m. and Villa Madonna, 5 p.m.; Aug. 24—at Tates Creek, 8; 29—Corbin, noon; 31—at Frankfort, 5:30;

Sept. 2—Sayre, 6:30; 12—at Grant Co., 12:30; 15—Lafayette, 8; 16—at Henry Clay, 8; 22—at Estill Co., 7; 23—at Scott Co., 7:30; 24—at Paul Dunbar, 8; 30—at Mason Co., 5:30;

Oct. 3—Owen Co., 11 a.m.; 6—Grant Co., 7:30; 8—Garrard Co., 8; 10—Paris, TBA.

Henry Clay

Coach: Mebit Aragaw (fourth season, 12-17-8)

Record: 11-6-2 (lost in region championship)

Top players: Kayla Price (jr., goalkeeper); Rachel Geil (so., defender); Emily Rodes (so., defender); Allison Graul (jr., defender); Nina Talavera (sr., midfielder); Olivia Max (so., forward/midfielder); Ginny Hoyt (so., forward/goalkeeper)

Outlook: One of the most stingy defenses in the state last season has everyone back, including Price in goal. The Devils' defense allowed just 14 goals all season and had 11 shutouts en route to a trip to the region finals. Rodes, who hurt her knee last season, returns to help make the defense even more potent. Henry Clay will win games with defense, but Aragaw likes the young players he has on the offensive side of the ball. Cassie Ransdell, who led the Devils in assists and goals last year, has graduated and they are still looking for the correct combination up front to create the best scoring opportunities, but there are a lot of options. Max, who had six goals as a freshman, is back and should be a scoring threat.

DEVILS' schedule

Mon.—Fayette Co. Soccer Spectacular at Tates Creek vs. South Laurel, 8; Wed.—FCSS at Tates Creek vs. Lafayette, 8; Sat.—FCSS at Tates Creek vs. Boone Co., 12:30; 26—Scott Co., 7:30;

Sept. 2—at West Jessamine, 7:30; 7—at Sayre, 5:30; 10—Madison Central, 8; 12—at Father Ryan, Tenn., 5; 13—at Pope John Paul II, Tenn., 3; 16—Bryan Station, 8; 23—Anderson Co., 8; 26—Male, noon; 30—Tates Creek, 8;

Oct. 6—Johnson Central, 6; 8—Paul Dunbar, 8.

Lafayette

Coach: Laura Oppegard (second season, 3-17)

Record: 3-17 (lost in first round of district tournament)

Top players: Olivia Gipson (jr., midfielder); Stephanie Willis (sr., defender); Rhiannon Mobley (sr., midfielder); Julia Pergande (jr., midfielder)

Outlook: The Generals didn't have as much success as they would have liked last season, getting just three wins and 12 goals, but they're continuing to improve. They are still a very young team, but "very tenacious and always looking to prove themselves," said Oppegard, who returns for a second season. The program will continue to rebuild, and that effort will be hindered by a lack of a permanent home field this season as the stadium is renovated at Lafayette. Mobely, Gipson and Pergande will help anchor the team in the middle and Willis is expected to lead the defense for Oppegard.Generals' schedule