Friday, November 12, 1999
Lakota West, Summit play for soccer titles
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Since the girls state soccer tournament was sanctioned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association in 1985, only two Cincinnati schools have won state championships.
Lakota West will be out to join Turpin (1986, '96) and St. Ursula (1991, '93). The Firebirds will play Hudson for the Division I state championship at 7 p.m. Saturday at Columbus Crew Stadium.
Summit Country Day will go after the Division II boys state championship, playing Gates Mills Hawken at 3 p.m., also at Crew Stadium.
“Coming into the season, I thought we had the potential and definitely the talent to win the state championship,” Lakota West coach Tara Schafer said.
Amber Wilson (11 goals, 11 assists) and Amy Mink (13 goals, 2 assists) are the Firebirds' offensive threats. Gina Lower, Kara McCue, Leigh Carroll and goalie Krista Kalkhoff lead the defense.
In Wednesday's state semifinals, Lakota West defeated No.1-ranked Columbus DeSales 1-0 in a shootout, and Hudson beat No.2 Strongsville 1-0, also in a shootout.
Hudson is noted for its de fense, allowing four goals in the past 13 games. Mary Boland, Laura Boland, Jenny Strachan and goalie Molly Patterson are the top defensive players.
Offensively, Hudson is led by Jaime Gruber (14 goals, 2 assists), Jacqui Lorenzo (11 goals and 13 assists) and Maria Meyer (11 goals).
Gates Mills Hawken, Summit Country Day's opponent, will be appearing in the championship game for the third time. The school finished in the runner-up spot in '97 and '98.
Senior midfielder Brian Carmany is the Hawks' leading scorer with 31 goals. Andrew Sheridan (13 goals) and Doug Weimer (13) are also scoring threats.
Summit counters with Jamal Shteiwi and Jack Cummings, offensive players that Hawken coach Tom Turner said must be contained.
“Playing on a wide field (75 yards by 115 yards) will bring out the individuality of the players,” Turner said. “It will open up the game, make it interesting and be good for soccer.”
Summit coach Charlie Cooke has developed a simple strategy for the game.
“I want the guys to guard against nonsense, keep their heads on straight and enjoy the moment,” Cooke said.
Summit brings an 18-2-2 record into the game. Hawken is 19-1-3.
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