CLAYTON — There is no doubt that Thousand Islands senior Courtney Henry is one of the fastest players in the Frontier League. But coming off of a year in which the Vikings made their first trip to the Section 3 tournament and finished second in the "C" Division, will she and her teammates be able to out-run the rapidly growing expectations?
Well, following an output of eight goals in two games during the Ed Beerman Tournament, maybe the two-time Frontier League All-Star should set her sights higher than originally planned for the upcoming season, especially considering that the Vikings were 5-1 last season when Henry scored at least one goal.
"Coach has really inspired us," Henry said. "He's told us that we could go to states. It helps that our coach is behind us and telling us stuff like that. I think we can be good, we should be good."
Thousand Islands girls soccer coach, Tim Filiatrault, thinks his team is better than the one that earned a No. 11-seed in the Section 3 tournament and lost to No. 6 Cooperstown last season, because of the maturation of its speedy striker.
"Teams have a very tough time defending her," Filiatrault said. "Even (last weekend) they doubled, tripled up on her and she still scored. We're happy to let other teams to double and triple her up because it opens up other players, and she knows to look for them."
Filiatrault said one of the few weak spots in Henry's game was her tendency to try to carry the team in tough situations and wearing herself out during games. Henry agreed, and said that she's been called a "ball-hog" a few times in the past.
"She knows that she's raised the level of this team," Filiatrault said. "She's raised their skill level as well as her own. It takes a lot of the pressure off of her."
This year, however, through her experiences playing with the Black Ice soccer club and a trip to the Empire State Games to play on the girls scholastic team, Henry's more focused on using her speed and ball-shielding abilities, to not only set herself up for success, but her teammates.
"Me and Emily Kellogg and Jessica Kittle and Jamie Wiley always practice on teams and we always talk about spreading out, fast passes, give-and-goes and everything," Henry said. "It really helps that we practice together."
There were plenty of new faces when practices started, Thousand Islands has 11 newcomers to the varsity team this year. The players meshed well with the returning 11, providing the Vikings with excellent depth.
"I thought we would be a little off because of all the J.V. players that came up here," Henry said. "But they proved me wrong. They're doing awesome and looking very good."
The Vikings began this season with a 2-0 record with convincing wins over Beaver River and Lyme, teams they combined to go 0-5 against last season, but those wins represent only two small steps in the hopes of one giant leap to the state tournament for Thousand Islands.
Here is a look at the Frontier League teams.
"A" DIVISION
Outlook: With Immaculate Heart, Watertown and Carthage each having a realistic goal of winning, the "A" Division will be as competitive as it has ever been. IHC and Carthage boast veteran experience and a considerable amount of returning players, while Watertown is making strides after fielding a young roster the past few seasons, and is now coming of age.
Immaculate Heart
Cavaliers
Coach: Kurt Robbins (9th year).
2007 record: 18-2.
Players to watch: Amanda Spooner, Emily Lalone, Braina Guarino, Katelynn Chamberlain.
Roster: Emily Lalone (Jr.), Michaela Richards, (Sr.), Jillian Young (Jr.), Adriana Spicer (So.), Sarah Ward (Sr.), Hannah Connolly (Fr.), Gabby Navarra (So.), Erin Patenaude (So.), Katelynn Chamberlain (So.), Christine Wright (Fr.), Aimee Plante (Sr.), Briana McCluskey (Fr.), Briana Guarino (Jr.), Jacqueline Currier (Jr.), Erin McClusky (Fr.), Danielle Zimmer (So.), Amanda Spooner (Jr.), Chiara Alteri (So.), Angela Vespa (Jr.), Elizabeth Snow (Jr.).
Carthage Comets
Coach: Marty Weaver (16th year).
2007 record: 9-6-4.
Players to watch: Not provided.
Roster: Katherine DeRonda (Jr., F), Katie Ferris (Jr., F), Sarah Johnson (Jr., G), Olivia Roggie (Jr., M), Sinead Carney (Sr., M), Gabbi Kamide (Sr., D), Jessica Dobson-Tufo (Jr., D), Jacqueline Graf (Sr., D), Mary Runge (Sr., D), Kate Swords (Sr., M), Hannah Earle (Sr., F), Kelly Haight (Sr., F), Crystal Smith (Sr,. G), Ashley Marilley (Sr., F), Alexis Edgeberg (Jr., M), Kate Blunden (Jr., F), Brittany Carpenter (Jr., F), Elizabeth Cook (Jr., F), Taylor Miller (So., D), Ellyse Richardson (Jr., D), Meghan Serota (Fr., M), Kelsey Wormwood (Jr., M).
Watertown Cyclones
Coach: Mike VanNostrand (1st year).
2007 record: 8-10.
Players to watch: Mereditch Bonisteel, Logan Barnard, Sophia Capone, Bonny Gardner, Taylor Hughes, Rachel Schneeberger, Taylor Nims.
Roster: Kathleen Bacsik (So., G), Logan Barnard (Jr., D), Meredith Bonisteel (Sr., D), Mia Capone (Fr., D), Sophia Capone (So., M), Allison Cleaver (So., M), Bonny Gardner (Sr., D), Megan Gentile (Jr., F), Olivia Haynes (Jr., D/M), Taylor Hughes (Jr., F), Maureen Keggins (So., F), Taylor Kucharski (So., D), Cassandra Marsala (Sr., M), Cassie McAffe (Sr., F), Marisa McLarnin (Jr., D), Taylor Nims (Sr., F), Rachel Schneeberger (Sr., M), Alicia Uhlein (Sr., M), Sarah VanEenenaam (Fr., D), Jillian VanNostrand (Fr., F/M), Jenna Watson (So., M).
Indian River Warriors
Coach: Duane Dusharm (21st year).
2007 record: 5-11-2.
Players to watch: Not provided.
Roster: Chelsea Boshart (Fr.), Whitney Boshart (Jr.), Mallory Crossman (Sr.), Jessica Daily (So.), Tracy Durant (Jr.), Corinna Rust (Sr.), Teddi Filiatrault (Jr.), Kaitlyn Foley (Jr.), Desiree Fuller (Jr.), Amanda Godin (Jr.), Amanda Golden (Sr.), Melanie Hayes (Jr.), Katie Hebert (Jr.), Brennan Hesse (Jr.), Brittany Hill (Jr.), Rhaia Hull (So.), Kaitlyn Kiechle (Jr.), Katherine Kilcer (Jr.), Sarah Moran (Jr.), Margaret Stone (Jr.), Tracie Turner (Sr.).
"B" Division
Outlook: Lowville has to work to replace last year's seniors, but seems poised and is the favorite to win the division again this year. APW and South Jefferson both field teams without many seniors and hope to mature quickly to make things difficult for the Red Raiders.
Lowville Red Raiders
Coach: Leo Sammon (21st year).
2007 record: 17-4.
Players to watch: Marissa Maring, Rachel Ashley, AnnaJane Kirch, Rebecca Windover.
Roster: AnnaJane Kirch (Sr.), Cheyenne Morse (Jr.), Lauren Croniser (Jr.), Morgan Lampson (So.), Taylor Sterner (So.), Nicole Dittl (Jr.), Emily Tabolt (Sr.), Marissa Maring (Sr.), Keely Sammon (Jr.), Brittany Watkins (Sr.), Laura Sollinger (Jr.), Chelsea Ross (So.), Rachel Ashley (Sr.), Taylor Haenlin (Fr.), Kiana Beller (Jr.), Elani Ingersol (Jr.), Olivia Hanno (Fr.), Ellen Farham (Jr.).
Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Rebels
Coach: Doug Meredith (3rd year, 11-23-2).
2007 record: 7-10-2.
Players to watch: Zana Gervaise, Ella Fassler.
Roster:Caryn Baxter (Jr., F), Ricki Britton (Jr., D), Hearther Correll (Sr., D), Ella Fassler (Jr., F), Jillian French (Jr., D), Zana Gervaise (Jr., G), Casey Guyer (Jr., D), Carli Henderson (Sr., M), Jacki Kugler (Jr., M), Bonnie Patane (Jr., M), Megan Phillips (Fr., F), Kellianne Punch (Sr., M), Brooke Radley (Sr., D), Heather Stone (So., F), Tricia Walker (So., F), Emily Warchol (Jr., M).
South Jefferson Spartans
Coach: Terry Burgess (30th year).
2007 record: 7-12
Players to watch: Not provided.
Roster: Kaillee McCormick (Sr., G), Mindy Nichols (Sr., F), Chelsea Roberts (Sr., D), Heather Gordiner (Jr., D), Jena Lalone (Jr., D), Dana Lumley (Jr., F), Amanda Moseley (Jr., F), Cassandra St. Hilaire (Jr., M), Alyssa Scordo (Jr., D), Samantha Slade (Jr., D), Tapulei Vavaeo (Jr., M/G), Melissa Abbatte (So., F), Liz Algie (So., D), Kaillie Goodnough (So., F/M), Colleen Hathaway (SO., M), Nicole Lalone (So., D), Whitley Perry (So., F), Emily Pfeil (So., M/D), Kerri Keegan (Fr., F).
General Brown Lions
Coach: Kylie Monroe (1st year).
2007 record: 5-12-1.
Players to watch: Not provided.
Roster: Not provided.
"C" Division
Outlook: Thousand Islands continues to "trend upward" while looking out for a Beaver River team ready to defend their Division Championship form a year ago. South Lewis and Sandy Creek each have new coaches this year, and their teams are hoping to convert to new styles of play quickly in order to contend with the top of the division.
Beaver River Beavers
Coach: Wanda Joslin.
2007 record: 15-4-1.
Players to watch: Caitlin Jacobs, Payge Lehman, Angeline Waryasz, Ashley Widrick, Emily Zehr.
Roster: Ashley Cobb (So., M), Taylor Farney (Sr., G), Jordain Forney (Jr., F), Kelsey Houppert (Jr., M), Jenna Hulbert (Jr., D), Caitlin Jacobs (Sr., D), Emily Jones (Jr., D), Amanda Knollman (So., F), Payge Lehman (Jr., D), Laura Ludes (Sr., F), Tasha Roes (Jr., M), Alayne Roggie (Jr., M), Lora Sullivan (Jr., D), Katherine Updike (Jr., F), Angeline Waryasz (Sr., F), Ashley Widrick (Jr., M), Madalyn Widrick (Jr., M), Emily Zehr (Sr., D).
Thousand Islands Vikings
Coach: Tim Filiatrault (3rd year, 12-25-1).
2007 record: 10-10.
Players to watch: Courtney Henry, Jamie Wiley, Bit Hall, Emily Kellogg, Jessica Kittle.
Roster: Jamie Wiley (Jr.), Bit Hall (Jr.), Courtney Henry (Sr.), Emily Kellogg (Sr.), Jessica Blodgett (Sr.), Mariah Doney (Sr.), Jessica Kittle (Sr.), Jackie Power (Sr.), Rachel Reff (Sr.), Kellie Smith (Sr.), Amber Dibble (So.), Jamie Barton (Jr.), Jillian Cipullo (Jr.), Sam Dano (Jr.), Megan Docteur (Jr.), Courtney Gould (Jr.), Nicole Griffin (Jr.), Eryeka Phelps (Jr.), Sierra Sherako (Jr.), Tessa Sullivan (Jr.), Kayleigh McKain (Sr.).
South Lewis Falcons
Coach: Ed Collins (12th year, 137-58-8).
2007 record: 4-13-1.
Players to watch: Brianna Manning, Megan Fayle, Brianna Manning, Emilee Watson, Molly Mallette.
Roster: Brianna Manning (Sr.), Breanna Kubinski (Jr.), Emilee Watson (Sr.), Molly Mallette (Sr.), Jennifer Strigle (Fr.), Kathryn Oaks (Jr.), Megan Ortlieb (Jr.), Andrea Lisk (Jr.), Hannah Halladay (Jr.), Brooke Pominville (Fr.), Kayla Raymond (Jr.), Danielle Brown (Jr.), McKenzie Colwell (So.), Brianna Flynn (Jr.), Jenna Kraeger (So.), Miranda Gokey (Jr.), Nicole Losada (Jr.), Megan Fayle (Sr.), Karen Hill (Jr.), Heather McManus (Jr.).
Sandy Creek Comets
Coach: Jonn Stoker (1st year).
2007 record: 1-16-1.
Players to watch: Courtney Claflin, Fantasia Grossman, Megan Clark.
Roster: Megan Clark (Jr., M), Tyffany Howlett (Sr., D), Alex Forcione (Jr., M), Courtney Claflin (Sr., F), Fantasia Grossman (Sr., G), Cassia King (Sr., M/F), Chelsea Claflin (8th, F), Christine Howe (Jr., M), Amber Lizotte (Sr., D/G), Sagen Bush (Jr., M/F), Nickie Ginnan (Jr., D), Rachel Pretory (So., M/F), Lara Collier (Jr., M), Karlie DeCarolis (Jr., D), Rachael Hurd (Sr., M), Rudd (Jr., F/G), Nickie Clark (Jr., M/D), Sami Densmore (Fr., D), Tayler Fravel (Jr., M).
"D" Division
Outlook: Lyme lost eight starters and its head coach, Mary Guyette — who stepped down — from last year's state champion team, but does not intend to take a step back this year. Sackets Harbor welcomes a new goalie and looked sharp during a scrimmage against a Belleville Henderson team that enters the season facing high expectations. Copenhagen struggled with finishing-off opponents last year, but expects that to change in 2008. Alexandria and LaFargeville should benefit from the turnover in the division and could surprise.
Lyme Indians
Coach: Kristen Robbins (1st year).
2007 record: 22-1.
Players to watch: Alexandra Weston, Tiffany Wright, Brittany Sharlow, Mariah Wallace.
Roster: Jessica Brown (Sr., M), Jenna Sharlow (Sr., M), Tiffany Wright (Sr., F), Brittany Sharlow (Jr., M), Sarah Harris (Jr., D), Evelyn Till (Jr., F), Misty Putnam (Jr., M), Lindsey Morrow (Jr., D), Brittany Campbell (Jr., M), Abigail Schwind (Jr., D), Taylor Malinowski (Jr., G), Mariah Wallace (Jr., D), Rebecca Simon (Jr., F), Alexandra Weston (So., F/G), Tiffany Brown (So., F), Lindsey Barber (So., D), Ariana Mattraw (So., M), Bethany Collins (So., M), Francis Richardson (So., D), Jilessa Morrow (So., D), Briana Sharlow (Fr., D), Katlyn Wright (Fr., D), Sierra Walker (Fr., F), Audrey Schwind (Fr., M).
Sackets Harbor Patriots
Coach: Dan Green (10th year).
2007 record: 10-8-1.
Players to watch: Courtney Allen, Helena Brenner, Dana Gorman.
Roster: Courtney Allen (Sr.), Helena Brenner (Sr.), Dana Gorman (Sr.), Meghan Higgins (Sr.), Rachel Boulio (Sr.), Danielle Intschert (Sr.), Jenna Weaver (Sr.), Olivia Townsend (Jr.), Adriana Teppley (Jr.), Lindsey Williams (Jr.), Melissa Wisner (Jr.), Sutton Bailey (So.), Ali Maas (So.), Amber Butcher (So.), Taylor Rouseau (So.), Emilee Hutson (8th).
Belleville Henderson Panthers
Coach: Ann Colby (5th year).
2007 record: 11-5-1.
Players to watch: Bailey Allen, Karlye Eastman, Lindsey Kohl, Courtney Kohl.
Roster: Bailey Allen (Sr., F), Sara Cushing (Sr., M), Karlye Eastman (Sr., F/M/G), Abby Hyde (Sr., D), Lindsey Kohl (Sr., F), Nicole Parker (Sr., M/D), Marie Rohde (Sr., M/D), Cassandra Stoodley (Sr., D), Alyssa Taylor (Sr., M/D), Courtney Kohl (Jr., D/G), McKenna O'Keefe (Jr., D), Marissa Pester (Jr., D), Rebecca Rhodes (Jr., D), Morgan Shaver (Jr., F/M), Staci Walts (Jr., M/D), Kari Gehrke (So., F/M), Caitlin Grimshaw (So., F/M).
Copenhagen
Golden Knights
Coach: Kris Cole (3rd year, 14-19-5).
2007 record: 6-12-1.
Players to watch: Caitlin Gregory, Sara Hovendon, Morgan Kiernan, Kristin Vogt, Olivia Sullivan, Brittany Petrus.
Roster: Chelsea Dicob (Jr.), Destiny Edwards (Sr.), Caitlin Gregory (Sr.), Sara Hovendon (So.), Michelle Hutchins (Sr.), Sarah Jolliff (Jr.), Morgan Kiernan (So.), Emily Lance (Jr.), Briana Moser (Jr.), Dana Paige (Sr.), Brittany Petrus (Sr.), Sarah Putnam (Jr.), Martha Sullivan (Sr.), Olivia Sullivan (Sr.), Brittany Tomaselli (Sr.), Kristin Vogt (Sr.), Meghann Woodruff (Jr.), Sarah Woodruff (Jr.).
Alexandria Purple Ghosts
Coach: Diane Bush (3rd year, 11-19-4).
2007 record: 6-10-2.
Players to watch: Not provided.
Roster: Emily Petersen (Sr.), Katie Fountain (Sr.), Sabrina Sochia (Sr.), Morgan Nelson (Sr.), Mara Morgan (Sr.), Shawna Kernehan (Sr.), Morgan Massey (Sr.), Almara Hutchinson (Sr.), Tiffany Lingenfelter (Jr.), Ashley Scott (Jr.), Mollee Millett (Jr.), Mackenzie Bush (Jr.), Selina Sochia (So.), Molly Ball (So.), Ciara VanCour (So.), Jordan Bush (Fr.).
LaFargeville Red Knights
Coach: John Stone.
2007 record: 0-16.
Players to watch: Kendra Cole, Sam Hunter, Taylor Switzer, Allie Taylor.
Roster: Brittany Marriam (Sr., F), Kendra Cole (Sr., M), Jenna Burrows (Jr., F), Taylor Switzer (Jr., D), Ashley Davidson (Jr., D), Lindway Lobiendo (Jr., D), Samantha Hunter (Jr., F), Taylor Davis (So., M), Tamara Ives (So., G), Julia Walldroff (So., F), Rachael Klock (So., M), Allie Taylor (So., M), Cassidy Davis (So., D), Crystal Seals (So., M), Moriah Woodburn (So., F), Justina Burrows (Fr., F), Brooke Levely (Fr., F), Haley Reff (Fr., D), Molly Ryan (Fr., F), Sam Smith (Fr., D), Jarika Nuffer (8th, F).
