VC girls will battle again in District 1

By Miles Vance

The Beaverton Valley Times, Sep 24, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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BEAVERTON – Valley Catholic’s girls soccer team broke new ground in 2008, advancing all the way to the state championship game for the first time in school history.

Now, with nine players back (five of them all-leaguers) from last year’s season-opening roster and a ton of experience on hand, the Valiants appear well-heeled to give the rest of District 1 — not to mention the rest of the state’s Class 4A/3A/2A/1A teams — a run for their money.

“We have phenomenal leadership, after returning all of our captains, and I have all the faith in the world that they will bring this team together to achieve great things,” said Valley Catholic coach Tudor Flintham, who took over the head coaching role at VC early last season.

The team’s returning all-leaguers include senior Megan Gabourel (the ’08 District 1 co-Player of the Year), senior Maggie Hastreiter (a District 1 first-teamer in ’08), sophomore Celia Alvarez (second team), goalkeeper Hana Wright (second team), senior Elizabeth Emery (honorable mention) and senior Ashton Ross (honorable mention).

Also back are senior Chelsea Lambert, juniors Amy Vuylsteke and junior Erin Gibbs, and sophomores Katie Ford and Allie Lambert.

“I look at our roster and really don’t see any weak links,” Flintham said. “Any one of the girls could have a breakout year, so I think we are just going to wait and see what happens.”

The rest of the roster includes freshman Emily Gabourel, senior Carly Verboort, freshman Meg Rapp, sophomore Linda Nguyen, sophomore Allie Lambert, junior Gloria Davis, freshman Claire McLoughlin, junior Anna Harris and freshman Tori Johnson.

“The key to our success this year will be the fact that we are solid in all positions and through all grades,” Flintham said. “Our philosophy here is that we do not discriminate on the basis of seniority. If you are good enough, you play.”

Flintham added that his team would likely be challenged by Oregon Episcopal, Scappoose, and Seaside in the District 1 race.