Once again, it’s about the youth for Patriots

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By Adam McFadden • September 18, 2009 12:52 pm
Liberty sophomore Denise Blohowiak dribbles around fellow sophomore Shannon Daly during a drill at a Patriots’ practice.
Liberty sophomore Denise Blohowiak dribbles around fellow sophomore Shannon Daly during a drill at a Patriots’ practice.

With its talented freshman group back experienced and better, the Liberty girls soccer team is looking for a trip to the state tournament for the first time since 2001.

“The good freshman class from last year has returned bigger and better,” said Liberty coach Darren Trembley. “We got a good freshman class this year too. We’ll be pretty good.”

The Patriots certainly have a lot of talent returning. Sophomore forward Cassidy Nangle made the KingCo all-league first team last season. Sophomore midfielder Kimi Fry made the second team, junior midfielder Saraa DuVall made the second team, sophomore midfielder Shannon Daly made honorable mention and senior defender Chelsea Noonan made honorable mention.

While Liberty is talented at midfield and forward, there is inexperience on defense. The team graduated three starters from that part of the field.

That makes Noonan vital to the team’s success. The senior will play sweeper and be the last line of defense between Liberty’s inexperienced defense and the goalkeeper.

Trembley will rely on last season’s prized group of five freshmen, a new class of freshmen and players moving up from a sound JV squad to fill the void.

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Though they will be relying heavily on younger players, the Patriots won’t run into some of the normal problems, Trembley said.

“Typically it’s physical. That’s what I worry about with younger kids,” he said. “But four of the five freshman made all-league last year. So physically we’re fine. And the girls we picked up this year aren’t huge girls but they play just fine with the girls we’ve got.”

Nangle will lead Liberty’s attack. The forward had a good season last year and was the only KingCo freshman to make the all-league first team last year.

Fry will be key at the midfielder position. She joins DuVall and Daly in what might be Liberty’s strongest position.

Liberty fell out of the KingCo tournament in the first round last season and Trembley said a win there would be huge this year. The winner of the KingCo tournament heads directly to state, while the other teams have to play through a number of games to try to earn a state berth. Liberty last went to state in 2001, when it placed third overall.

“We’re really hoping to win it because it’s a huge advantage,” Trembley said. “I think we have as good of a chance as anybody in the league.”