Both Whitman Soccer Coaches Expecting Successful Seasons

GIRLS

Watching his team throughout last season, it wasn’t hard for Whitman girls soccer coach Greg Herbert to recognize his team’s long-term potential.

And with a talented group of young players now a year more experienced, an impressive freshman class ready to contribute and several veteran leaders leading the way, Herbert can’t help but get excited when talking about what the Vikings could possibly accomplish this season.

Whitman finished last year 7-6.

“The combination of that youth with the leadership from those veterans really puts us on track to have a rebound season this year,” Herbert said.

The Vikings return eight of their 11 starters from last season’s team, although Herbert says that departed goalie Hannah Sascer won’t be easy to replace.

Aside from question marks at goalie, though, Herbert says that “our starting 10 field position players are very strong.”

Sophomores Anna Gurney, Nora Jodrey, Emily Martin and Aliza Wolfe will all be counted on to follow up strong seasons as freshmen year. Herbert credits Wolfe as being “our best all-around player last season.”

Herbert will also be depending on leadership and contributions from defenders Corinne Lake and Lottie Nalls. Lake’s a senior and Nalls is a junior.

“I think, with the talent we have, that we can win a regional championship,” Herbert said. “Our number one goal right now, though, is to challenge for our division championship, which is going to be a very tough task to achieve, but I think, with the players we’re putting on the field, that we can compete with anyone.”

AT A GLANCE

HEAD COACH: Greg Herbert, seventh season

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 7-6

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: midfielder Anna Gurney, forward Nora Jodrey, defender Corinne Lake, defender Emily Martin, defender Lottie Nalls, midfielder Aliza Wolfe

KEY LOSSES: goalie Hannah Sasscer, midfielder Tessa Morrison, forward Lucy Arledge

BIGGEST STRENGTH: Overall skill and creativity with the ball

BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: Inexperience at goalie

SCHEDULE

9/7 Rockville

9/12 Clarksburg

9/14 @Poolesville

9/21 @Magruder

9/30 Kennedy

10/5 @Churchill

10/10 Richard Montgomery

10/13 @Walter Johnson

10/17 Wootton

10/19 @B-CC

10/22 Good Counsel

10/24 @National Cathedral

BOYS

Just a year after guiding his team to the Class 4A state championship, Whitman boys soccer coach Dave Greene was forced to watch as a young and inexperienced group of Vikings limped to a 6-10-1 record.

The season marked one of the few lackluster campaigns posted during Greene’s 33-year tenure as Whitman’s head coach. Greene has led the Vikings to 14 regional championships as well as eight state championships.

And, despite last year’s struggles, Greene is optimistic it won’t be long before Whitman is once again in contention for both championships.

The Vikings opened the season with a 3-2 win against perennial Baltimore powerhouse Mount St. Joseph.

“We’re going to be good this year,” Greene said. “We have some very talented kids.”

After entering last season with just three returning starters from their 2009 state championship team, the Vikings boast eight returning starters this year.

Whitman will have to replace leading scorer Jonathan Mehrez, who tallied a team-best seven goals, but Greene is expecting big contributions from forward Sebastian Cahe, defender Ryan Lee and midfielder Stephen Rodan.

Greene says the key for his team will be building confidence throughout the season and getting hot in time for the playoffs.

AT A GLANCE

HEAD COACH: Dave Greene, 33rd year

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-10-1

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: forward Sebastian Cahe, defender Ryan Lee, midfielder Stephen Rodan

KEY LOSSES: forward Jonathan Mehrez

BIGGEST STRENGTH: Players are a year more experienced

BIGGEST WEAKNESS: Overall youth

SCHEDULE

9/12 @Clarksburg

9/14 Poolesville

9/21 Magruder

9/30 @Kennedy

10/5 @Churchill

10/10 Richard Montgomery

10/13 @Walter Johnson

10/17 Wootton

10/19 @B-CC

10/21 St. Benedict’s

10/24 @Archbishop Curley