Having lost several key players from a 2005 season in which a perfect record and Northern 4A championship just eluded the Carson High girls soccer team, coach Randy Roser isn't ready to make any bold predictions just yet.
No matter what happens this season, however, he is willing to make at least one prediction.
"We will be exciting to watch," Roser said. "If nothing else, win or lose, we'll always put on a good show just because of our tremendous speed and ball skills."
Armed with an abundance of speed and skills, the Senators are reloading and looking to make another successful run after going 19-1 in 2005. They won 19 straight games before losing 3-2 against Galena in the regional tournament championship game at Mackay Stadium in Reno.
Such standouts as Samantha Valerius, Cassie Bowman and Kasey Cano - All-Sierra Nevada selections last season - have graduated, leaving the Senators with some new faces on the field for 2005.
"We're a young team, so it will take three or four games to get organized and for some of the newer ones to get our style and system," said Roser, who is entering his fourth season with the girls program and ninth season with Carson High soccer overall. "Other than that, I think we look pretty decent."
If nothing else, the Senators return some pretty decent offensive firepower coming into their season opener Tuesday night at home against Elko. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
There's ample firepower returning from a team that outscored 20 opponents by a combined 95-17 margin last season.
For starters, speedy forward Brandi Vega earned Sierra League Offensive Player of the Year honors as a freshman last season, scoring nine goals to go with 15 assists. Junior midfielder Rebecca Kane had nine goals to go with 12 assists. And junior forward Kayla Sanchez, who has sprinted to gold medals in the 100 and 200 as well as the 300 low hurdles at the state track meet each of the last two years, scored 10 goals for the Senators last season.
Kane scored the go-ahead goal and Sanchez scored the other goal in Carson's 2-1 win over McQueen in the regional semifinals.
"Between Kayla and Brandi, Amanda Osborne and Ann Sinnott ... that's a lot of speed other teams have to cover out there," Roser said.
Sinnott, who played as an outside wing last season, is one of four seniors who are now being counted on to provide leadership, along with defenders Anna Macquarie and Justine Von Rumpf plus transfer student Danielle Moos, who is expected to step in and start as a center midfielder.
On the other hand, a considerable amount of focus so far in practice has been placed on defense.
"We can score, now, if we need to keep other people out of our goal," Roser said, adding with a laugh, "We don't want to be winning 5-3 games."
Once again, the Senators will be up against a traditionally formidable Sierra League.
"I'm sure South Tahoe and Douglas will be as strong as ever, and you always have to expect something from Reno with Rob Moreland coaching over there," Roser said.
"Our focus right now is on training. The winning will take care of itself," Roser said. "We'll try for top four, that'll get us into zone. If you make it to zone and make it all the way through, then you've done well."
Juniors Kristin Rush, Michelle Fleming, Brandy Cantley and Osborne saw action last season. The roster also includes three freshmen: Jennifer Johnson, who is vying for a job as starting goalkeeper, Taylor Musselman and Brenda Luquin.
Roster
Carly Mathat
Jennifer Johnson
Amanda Osborne
Ann Sinnott
Kayla Sanchez
Alli Collier
Lauren Schultz
Brandi Vega
Kristin Rush
Helaine Berris
Danielle Moos
Rebecca Kane
Brandy Cantley
Michelle Fleming
Justine Von Rumpf
Brenda Luquin
Anna Macquarie
Taylor Musselman
Katarina Von Rumpf
Carson girls soccer schedule
Aug. 29 Elko
Sept. 5 at Bishop Manogue
Sept. 9 at Douglas
Sept. 12 at Hug
Sept. 16 Damonte Ranch
Sept. 19 North Valleys
Sept. 23 South Tahoe
Sept. 26 at Wooster
Sept. 30 Reno
Oct. 3 Douglas
Oct. 7 Hug
Oct. 10 at Damonte Ranch
Oct. 14 at North Valleys
Oct. 17 at South Tahoe
Oct. 21 Wooster
Oct. 24 at Reno
Oct. 28 Northern 4A Tournament TBA
Nov. 10 State tournament North