Girl's Soccer Preview: James Wood

Coach: Jim Carden, 5th year

Last year: 6-7-3, 3-4-1

Key losses: Cat Woznak (Co-Northwestern District Player of the Year); Katy Spencer (second team All-Northwestern); Kaleigh Fincham (second team All-Northwestern);

Top returning players:Sarah Callaham, Sr. M (first team All-Northwestern); Nancy Riggleman, Sr. D (second team All-Northwestern); Marissa Maddalena, Soph. M (second team All-Northwestern); ; Meghan Hammond, Soph. M;, Dulcie Kysela, Soph. F; Emma Watts, Jr. D; Sydney Arnette, Sr. D; Vanessa Sousa GK; Stephanie Roby, Sr. M; Dallas Marfing, Jr. D/M.

Newcomer: Alexandra Stanford, Fr. M

Outlook: After losing seven seniors to graduation from last year's team, the Colonels have some holes to fill in the lineup.

Riggleman takes over at sweeper for Woznak (who scored five goals and had a team-high five assists while splitting time on offense and defense last year), and Carden's team likely won't have the roster depth like last season.

But the Colonels' fifth-year coach said the biggest key will be how the team fills the void left by Fincham in goal and how well the defense solidifies around Riggleman.

"Our midfield should be strong, and up front we'll be OK," Carden said. "I think our defense will define how well we do."

With Callaham (nine goals, five assists), Kysela (five goals, four assists) and Marissa Maddalena (four assists) returning, Carden hopes the Colonels can compete in what he expects will be another tight district race.

"We lost six games by one goal last year so we're hoping to improve on that," Carden said. "We beat Sherando, Millbrook and Handley for the first time. Each year I think we've progressed so I'm looking to progress a little more. I'd like to get into the top three [in the district] but that's going to be very hard to do with Millbrook, Handley and Sherando. I think we'll be competitive but there's too many unknowns right now."

The Colonels opened with a 1-0 victory at Liberty on Monday. Callaham scored in the 38th minute, and Wood outshot Liberty 18-6. Sousa posted the shutout in goal.

Next match: Friday, at Kettle Run, 7:30