Sports > Schools
Girls soccer: Hebron cracks national rankings, boys team still unbeaten
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
Ranked No. 24 nationally by the Elite Soccer Report and already out to a 6-0-1 start, Hebron's girls soccer team has the talent to return to the playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons at the Class 5A level
But it won't be easy coming out of District 5-5A, which includes a pair of other teams currently ranked (Coppell at No. 4 and Marcus at No. 7) as well as another that opened the season in the poll (Flower Mound). Factor in an upstart Lewisville squad (5-1-2) and a Ryan club (6-3-3) transitioning from 4A and a quality team or two will be left out of the postseason completely.
"Our goal starts with making the playoffs," said Eric Ramirez, Hebron head coach. "With a core group of experienced players as big as ours, the girls expect to get there and make a run and I think we have the potential to do that. We just have to be consistent from game to game to finish in the top four in a district like this."
Ramirez also believes Hebron's success could come down to its offensive firepower.
"We have the potential to score a lot," he said. "If you look right now, every kid on our roster has at least gotten a shot on goal. And we like to push our defense forward to help out with the attack. So we've been getting chances, we just need to keep finishing."
Hebron's attack starts at the forward position, where junior Reid Sibley and senior Ellen Starnes are back.
Last season, Starnes was named the District 8-5A Forward of the Year, while Sibley was named second team.
"We go with three forwards and Reid and Ellen do a great job," Ramirez said. "They're experienced and have stepped up in the leadership department. Now they just have to come out and prove what they can do each match.
Ramirez added there is currently a rotation at the other forward spot between senior Adrianna Bayles, freshman Stefani Doyle and sophomore Jillian Leinweaver.
"There's good potential and speed in the group," Ramirez said. "It's a matter of gelling and fitting into the system."
Hebron's midfield is led by senior Amanda Doyle, who is coming off a first team all-district season.
"She brings us a ton of experience and versatility," Ramirez said. "But we're still kind of toying with some options at the other midfield spot."
Midfielders on the roster include freshman Chelsee Washington, sophomore Alanna Castaneda and juniors Evan Pipkin and Sarah Rempe.
While the midfield rotation is still figuring itself out, Hebron's strength may very well lie in the back.
"We have all returners back and they're very skilled," Ramirez said.
Senior Rachel Jones (second team) is transitioning after playing in the midfield last season, while seniors Emily Colter, Rachel Gambell (honorable mention), Taylor Gambell (honorable mention) and Jenna Shepard; and juniors Laura Scholz and Megan Kennedy round out the unit.
Goalies for the Lady Hawks include seniors Sarah Ingalls and Melanie Hummert and sophomore Molly Lansford (second team).
"We're looking to narrow it down to a starter by district," Ramirez said. "But they've all played well and are getting a fair chance to compete for that spot."
Hebron opened the season with a strong showing at the International Elite Prep Showcase hosted by Fort Worth Nolan where the Lady Hawks went 4-0. Wins included Allen (5-1), Bishop Lynch (3-0), Justin Northwest (3-0) and Amarillo (2-0). The squad has continued with non-district wins over Grapevine (3-0) and Lake Highlands (7-0) before playing Highland Park to a 1-1 draw on Friday.
In the win against Lake Highlands, six different players scored, including two from Shepard.
"Our first four matches were good but I don't really know a whole lot about the caliber of team we were facing," Ramirez said. "We'll find that out in the next few weeks. But I was pleased with how we came out right away against Allen and scored three times in a 7-minute stretch. We've had some quality goals early and also some points where our defense has been tested."
Hebron continues its preparation for district in the next week with matches at home against Plano Senior (5:30 p.m.) and Tuesday against McKinney Boyd (7 p.m.). The Lady Hawks open 5-5A competition at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Coppell.
Boys soccer: Hawks unbeaten as well
Hebron's girls soccer team isn't the only squad unbeaten thus far as the boys team has gotten out to a 6-0-2 start.
The Hawks played Frisco Wakeland to a 1-1 draw Jan. 22 on the heels of a showing a the Allen Tournament in which they notched wins over Plano Senior (1-0) and Rowlett (2-1) before coming up even against Garland Naaman Forest (2-2).
But it won't be easy coming out of District 5-5A, which includes a pair of other teams currently ranked (Coppell at No. 4 and Marcus at No. 7) as well as another that opened the season in the poll (Flower Mound). Factor in an upstart Lewisville squad (5-1-2) and a Ryan club (6-3-3) transitioning from 4A and a quality team or two will be left out of the postseason completely.
"Our goal starts with making the playoffs," said Eric Ramirez, Hebron head coach. "With a core group of experienced players as big as ours, the girls expect to get there and make a run and I think we have the potential to do that. We just have to be consistent from game to game to finish in the top four in a district like this."
Ramirez also believes Hebron's success could come down to its offensive firepower.
"We have the potential to score a lot," he said. "If you look right now, every kid on our roster has at least gotten a shot on goal. And we like to push our defense forward to help out with the attack. So we've been getting chances, we just need to keep finishing."
Hebron's attack starts at the forward position, where junior Reid Sibley and senior Ellen Starnes are back.
Last season, Starnes was named the District 8-5A Forward of the Year, while Sibley was named second team.
"We go with three forwards and Reid and Ellen do a great job," Ramirez said. "They're experienced and have stepped up in the leadership department. Now they just have to come out and prove what they can do each match.
Ramirez added there is currently a rotation at the other forward spot between senior Adrianna Bayles, freshman Stefani Doyle and sophomore Jillian Leinweaver.
"There's good potential and speed in the group," Ramirez said. "It's a matter of gelling and fitting into the system."
Hebron's midfield is led by senior Amanda Doyle, who is coming off a first team all-district season.
"She brings us a ton of experience and versatility," Ramirez said. "But we're still kind of toying with some options at the other midfield spot."
Midfielders on the roster include freshman Chelsee Washington, sophomore Alanna Castaneda and juniors Evan Pipkin and Sarah Rempe.
While the midfield rotation is still figuring itself out, Hebron's strength may very well lie in the back.
"We have all returners back and they're very skilled," Ramirez said.
Senior Rachel Jones (second team) is transitioning after playing in the midfield last season, while seniors Emily Colter, Rachel Gambell (honorable mention), Taylor Gambell (honorable mention) and Jenna Shepard; and juniors Laura Scholz and Megan Kennedy round out the unit.
Goalies for the Lady Hawks include seniors Sarah Ingalls and Melanie Hummert and sophomore Molly Lansford (second team).
"We're looking to narrow it down to a starter by district," Ramirez said. "But they've all played well and are getting a fair chance to compete for that spot."
Hebron opened the season with a strong showing at the International Elite Prep Showcase hosted by Fort Worth Nolan where the Lady Hawks went 4-0. Wins included Allen (5-1), Bishop Lynch (3-0), Justin Northwest (3-0) and Amarillo (2-0). The squad has continued with non-district wins over Grapevine (3-0) and Lake Highlands (7-0) before playing Highland Park to a 1-1 draw on Friday.
In the win against Lake Highlands, six different players scored, including two from Shepard.
"Our first four matches were good but I don't really know a whole lot about the caliber of team we were facing," Ramirez said. "We'll find that out in the next few weeks. But I was pleased with how we came out right away against Allen and scored three times in a 7-minute stretch. We've had some quality goals early and also some points where our defense has been tested."
Hebron continues its preparation for district in the next week with matches at home against Plano Senior (5:30 p.m.) and Tuesday against McKinney Boyd (7 p.m.). The Lady Hawks open 5-5A competition at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Coppell.
Boys soccer: Hawks unbeaten as well
Hebron's girls soccer team isn't the only squad unbeaten thus far as the boys team has gotten out to a 6-0-2 start.
The Hawks played Frisco Wakeland to a 1-1 draw Jan. 22 on the heels of a showing a the Allen Tournament in which they notched wins over Plano Senior (1-0) and Rowlett (2-1) before coming up even against Garland Naaman Forest (2-2).
Copyright © 2013 - Star Local News