P.O. High School Soccer Preview

H.S. SOCCER preview

Public Opinion Online
Posted: 09/01/2011 01:21:20 AM EDT

BOYS SOCCER

Shippensburg Greyhounds

Coach: Warren Jones, 16th year, 176-119-12 (.593).

Last year: 13-6 (9-3 Mid Penn Colonial Division), lost 4-0 to Daniel Boone in first round of District 3-AAA playoffs.

Starters lost: James Kiama (P.O. first team, now playing at Bloomsburg); Derek Boone (P.O. first team); Ian Gayman; Derek Kline; Colin Mason.

Returning starters: Jonny Gerlach (jr., goalkeeper, 7 shutouts, P.O. Honorable Mention); Kyle Baer (sr., for, 5 goas, 1 assist, P.O. HM); Kolbi Baer (sr., for, 3, 3); Nick Strait (so., mid, 2, 4, P.O. HM); Michael Stephenson (sr., def); Fernando Torija (sr., def, 2, 3); Travis Miller (sr., def, 1 assist); Matthew Doyle (sr., def, 2, 4); Jordan Divens (sr., mid, 2 assists).

Other top players: Justin Timko (jr., mid); Sam Nehf (sr., mid); Thomas McCreary (sr., def); Jordan Howard (jr., for); Levi Varner (so., for); Ben Shoemaker (so., def/mid).

Outlook: "We don't have a lot of depth, so we need some of the sophomores to come up and help out," Jones said. "This is a different team this year and I'm not sure how we'll do. One thing that concerns me is that in the scrimmages we've only scored one goal. Johny looks good in goal, we just need to find the right combination in front of him."

Notes: Players who return for the Hounds scored 13 goals last year ... Jones believes defending champion Gettysburg is again the team to beat in the MPC Colonial.

Opener: Saturday, at Oley Valley Tournament,

vs. Oley Valley, 3; vs. Brandywine Heights, 5:30.