Bonney Lake Girls Soccer: Panthers looking to get over the hump

Published 3:59 pm Monday, August 31, 2009

Coach Luke Helling-Christy is hoping this is the year the Bonney Lake High girls’ soccer team gets over the hump.

Since the school opened, the Panthers have made the playoffs as one of the top four teams in the South Puget Sound League 3A division.

But the girls have never made it past the first round of the 3A playoffs. Last season, they lost to Kennedy.

That could change, with 10 returning starters including a trio of seniors and a talented group of juniors from last season’s 13-1-2 squad.

“Our goal is to make the playoffs again,” Helling-Christy said. “But we also want to have a better showing in the first round.”

“We have a strong junior and sophomore class this year,” he said. “We have a nice core group of sophomore who should help us.”

Two-time all-leaguer Brianna Jones, a junior, is back as a defender, along with junior forward Hillary Colbert.

Senior Jenny DeWitz returns as outside midfielder, along with twins, Leslie and Hailey Cannon, both seniors.

Leslie Cannon was goalkeeper for the Panthers the past two seasons, but a shoulder injury will force her to play in the field, Helling-Christy said. Haylie Cannon will play as one of the defenders with Jones.

Savanna Moorehouse is at center midfielder and was the top scorer for the Panthers last season.

“Her scoring is sneaky,” Helling-Christy said. “She seems to alway be in the right place.”

The starting goalkeeper will be Rendi Johnson, a junior, with Alicia Bowan as the backup.

Helling-Christy said Bowman is one player who can play several positions. She is a forward for her club team.

Overall, Helling-Christy said his team has speed, passes well, and is great at maintaining possession for long periods of time.

He expects his team, along with Sumner, Auburn Mountainview and Enumclaw, to battle for the four playoffs berths.

Bonney Lake opens the season against 4A powerhorse Bellarmine Prep Sept. 11 in Tacoma.