The high school soccer season is underway, and perennial power Hilton Head High is hoping to pick up where it left off during last year’s state championship run.
Other local teams such as Hilton Head Prep, Hilton Head Christian, Bluffton, Beaufort High, and May River also have designs on developing into state title contenders.
Here’s a look at the local teams:
Beaufort High
Coach: Dianne Wilson (2nd season)
2018 record: 10-7 (lost to Dreher in second round of Class 4A playoffs)
Returning starters: 6
Top returners: Maggie Crisologo (Sr., D), Olivia Crisologo (Sr.), Ellie Muniz (Jr., MF), Brigid Murphy (Jr., MF), Josephine Rohrer (Sr.), Caroline Louw (Soph., F)
Key newcomers: Lucia Henrich-Paya, Anna Brown
Coach’s outlook: “The girls have been putting in the time to improve technically, enabling us to possess more. We will continue to rely on Maggie to organize our back line. We aim to improve our buildup throughout the season with our main focus on becoming more successful in the final third.”
Bluffton
Coach: Brian McCarthy (1st season)
2018 record: 10-8-1 (lost to Bishop England in the second round of Class 3A playoffs)
Returning starters: 5
Top Returners: Jessica Jimenez (Sr., F/MF), Adeline Rios (Soph., F/MF), Jillian Lauver (Jr., MF), Jennyfer Rodriguez (Jr., D/MF), Stephanie Maldonado (Sr., GK)
Key Losses: Shan’nya Stephens, Kat Rathke, Kennedy Barber, Kaleigh Brown
Key Newcomers: Daniela Gularte (Jr., D/MF), Yuritzi Garcia (Soph., MF/F), Kayleigh Washington (Soph., F), Cassandra Gray (Soph., F), Micaelann Gies (Fr., MF), Anna Grace (Fr., MF), Leyla Dubs (Fr., D/F), Rachel Martinez (Fr., MF)
Coaches Outlook: “We are looking to make a good run in a very competitive league with focus, hard work, determination and mental toughness. The sky is the limit for this group of talented young ladies. We as coaches have the utmost faith that these girls will exemplify what it means to be an asset to our community and a Bluffton Bobcat. Striving to build better athletes through building better people.”
Hilton Head Christian Academy
Coach: Mike Haughton (2nd season)
2018 record: 9-8-2 (lost to Oakbrook Prep in second round of SCISA 2A playoffs)
Returning starters: 7
Top returners: Jossie Frasier, MF; Sydney DeSimone, MF; Mary Yanker, D; Margaret Donaldson, GK
Coach’s outlook: “The team finished the season strongly last year, and Im looking to build on that.”
Hilton Head High
Coach: Ernie Suozzi (10th season)
2018 record: 22-4 (Class 4A state champions)
Returning starters: 8
Top returners: Valentina Palacio (Sr., MF), Carissa Church (Sr., D), Ana Moreno (Sr., MF), Madison Yeomans (Sr., F), Bethany Neville (Sr., MF), Hannah Stanhope (Jr. F), Jamie Levine (Jr., GK), Niki Farizy (Jr., MF), Miya Poplin (Jr., MF), Sarah Neville (Soph., MF), Kristen Fielding (Soph., D), Julia Kubec (Soph., D), Maddie Bennett (Soph., D), Abbie Lainhart (Soph., F), Charlotte Schmidt (Soph., D)
Key losses: Carson Schoppe, Christina Good, Bailey Headlee, Emily Slawson, Nicte Barrientos
Key Newcomers: Caitlyn Owen, Ashley Snyder, Jannah Tepic, Cheyenne Ferre, Kaley McGuire, Cami Pampucha, Stella Pampucha, Addison Trew, Payton Kurtz
Coach’s outlook: “We have a good mix of young and experienced players. I hope they blend together by mid-season.”
Hilton Head Prep
Coach: Risa McMillan (6th season)
2018 record: 14-5-1 (lost to Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach in SCISA 2A semifinals)
Returning starters: 7
Top returners: Ryan Dailey (Sr., F/MF); Kaitlyn Adkins (Sr., MF); Olivia Light (Sr., D); Mackenzie Joyner (Jr., D);
Bailey Sullivan (Soph.); Mia Calamari (Soph.); Ella Clark (Fr.); Ashlyn Parsick (Fr.)
Key losses: Charlotte Covington, Sarah Orie
Key newcomers: Ansleigh Crenshaw, Sadie Callen
Coach’s outlook: “While we graduated four seniors last year, we have a ton of talent returning and some very experienced new additions. We will not only be solid across the field but will also have depth with which will allow for fresh legs. I think we have the potential for a very big season and I am looking forward to watching these girls play together.”
Holy Trinity
Coach: Hunter Squires (1st season)
2018 record: 9-3 (SCISA 1A runner-up)
Returning starters: 10
Top returners: Mills Langehans (Soph., F), Lydia Mahan (Jr., MF), Rachel Cain (Fr., D), Megan Shearon (Soph., MF), Mary Clanton (Fr., GK)
Key losses: Allie Stacks
Key newcomers: Quinn Wilson
Coach’s outlook: “We have a young but experienced team this year. I think we should have a pretty strong team.”
John Paul II
Coach: Brian Quinty (3rd season)
2018 record: 9-8-1 (lost to Greenwood Christian in SCISA 1A semifinals)
Returning starters: 9
Top returners: Abigail Quinty (Jr., GK); Alondra Hurtado (Soph., MF); Merritt Woodham (Jr., D); Katie Leigh Floyd (Jr., F)
Key losses: Brianna Riley
Key newcomers: Bless Hurtado
Coach’s outlook: “We have moved up to 2A in soccer this year, but we are very familiar with the schools in the region. With nine starters returning and a key newcomer, this season looks pretty bright.”
May River
Coach: Anthony Serpe (3rd season)
2018 record: 9-12 (lost in 2nd round of Class 3A playoffs)
Returning starters: 8
Top returners: Alyssa Kushner (Sr., MF), Kayle Stevenson (Sr., MF), Veronica Villaviencio (Jr., D)
Key losses: Leah Zulkosky (GK), Alexandra Bonhag (D)
Coach’s outlook: “With 12 returning players, the team should work well together and compete in every match,”
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