Dulles District Soccer Tournament Preview

By Paul Tenorio

Friday, May 16, 2008

BOYS' SOCCER

2008 Dulles District Soccer Tournament Bracket

No. 1 Heritage (10-1-3) vs. No. 8 Briar Woods (0-12-2) Saturday, noon, at Heritage

What to Watch: Heritage surprised all with its run to the top of the Dulles District title under new coach Betsy Munson. The Pride knocked off all comers this season behind the steady play of forward Ivan Callejas and the control in the middle of Amadu Bangaru. They'll look to those two to once again come through as they face off with the winless Falcons.

Players to Watch: Heritage: Ivan Callejas, Sr., F; Amadu Bangaru, Sr., MF. Briar Woods; Jas Sanghera, Sr., F.

Keys to the Game: Heritage will lean on the things that have taken it this far: strong defense and timely scoring. The Falcons key to pulling off an upset will be to stop Callejas up top and to stay close as long as possible. Because the longer the score is tied, the more the pressure rises.

No. 4 Broad Run (7-3-4) vs. No. 5 Dominion (5-6-3) Saturday, 2 p.m., at Park View

What to Watch: Broad Run dropped to the fourth seed with a loss to Potomac Falls but still boasts one of the top defenses in the area. They will depend on that defense against a Titans team that has shown it can hang with all the top teams in the district.

Players to Watch: Broad Run: Shane Johnson, Sr., D; Onari Tariah, Jr., MF. Dominion: Tony Hasper, Sr., F.; Rigoberto Fuentes, So., F.

Keys to the Game: Broad Run must stay disciplined in the back, which has been a strength. Dominion meanwhile will look to break through the Johnson-run backline and get on the board as early as possible, forcing Broad Run to play more aggressive and perhaps open up the Spartans' defense a little bit more.

No. 3 Potomac Falls (9-4-1) vs. No. 6 Loudoun County (5-8-1) Saturday, 2 p.m., at Heritage

What to Watch: Potomac Falls has struggled this season compared to recent years, but they're still dangerous because of Uche Onyeador, who broke the VHSL record for career goals against Broad Run this week. They leapfrogged Broad Run in that game and what's the reward? A matchup with a very dangerous Loudoun County team that gave the Panthers fits earlier this year. This could be the best game of the first round.

Players to Watch: Potomac Falls: Uche Onyeador, Sr., F; Asa Fox, Sr., MF. Loudoun County: Matt Backenstoss, Sr., F; Calle Brown, So., GK.

Keys to the Game: Backenstoss has to find his space for the Raiders, as he caused problems for Potomac Falls playing on the outside defense. He is the key offensively. Potomac Falls knows they must find a way to shore up their defensive problems and not just hope Onyeador scores enough to lead them through.

No. 2 Park View (9-2-3) vs. No. 7 Freedom-South Riding (2-11-1) Saturday, noon, at Park View

What to Watch: The Patriots play a pretty brand of possession soccer and have several talented players throughout their midfield. They'll be matched up with a Freedom team that upset Loudoun County and nearly beat Park View earlier this season, so the Patriots can't go into this game with any sense of overconfidence.

Players to Watch: Park View: Andres Contreras, Sr., F; Alex Velasco, Sr., MF.

Keys to the Game: Park View must control the midfield and not slack off and give Freedom any breathing room. As a favorite playing against a team that has kept things close before, it's integral to get out to an early lead. Freedom meanwhile, will look to keep things close for as long as possible, as the Eagles have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

GIRLS' SOCCER

No. 1 Broad Run (14-0) vs. No. 8 Park View (1-13) Saturday, noon, at Broad Run

What to Watch: The Spartans are a force, ranked third in The Washington Post top 10 area rankings. Led by Florida-bound Holly King (11 goals, 7 assists) and Old Dominion-bound Kelly Evans (21 goals, 9 assists), they play a controlled game and are talented up and down the roster. It'll be difficult for the rebuilding Patriots to challenge such a talent-laden team.

Players to Watch: Broad Run: Holly King, Jr., MF; Kelly Evans, Jr., F. Park View: Sarah Jones, Jr., GK; Carleigh Snead, Fr., MF.

Keys to the Game: Broad Run will look to continue doing what they've done all season. That means King will run the midfield and distribute to Evans and the dangerous Valerie Powell. Park View must be near-perfect in the defense and put pressure on early.

No. 4 Potomac Falls (5-7-1) vs. No. 5 Heritage (4-8-2) Saturday, noon, at Loudoun County

What to Watch: The Panthers have suffered through an injury- and illness-plagued season but are nearest to full strength than they've been all year long and will look to their senior leaders to push them through in this game. Heritage meanwhile is a young team whose top three goal scorers are freshmen.

Players to Watch: Potomac Falls: Sarah Fisher, Sr., F; Amanda Rumsey, So., F. Heritage: Caitlin Kick, Fr., D; Jessica Haley, Fr., MF.

Keys to the Game: The Panthers will look to play good team defense and take advantage of any chances they get when they have them. Heritage, meanwhile, will rely on its strong defense and hope its aggressive attacking play pays off without hurting them too much in the back.

No. 3 Briar Woods (10-4) vs. No. 6 Freedom (3-7-4) Saturday, 2 p.m., at Broad Run

What to Watch: Briar Woods has made steady progress throughout the progam's history and its only four losses this season came to the two top seeds. The Falcons are bolstered by George Mason-bound keeper Melissa Mailley and Boston University-bound Brea Hewitt. Freedom suffered through a major injury when Chelsea Walter tore her ACL prior to the season, but with a talented player like Aly Gazarek (South Florida) on the field, the young Eagles are always a threat.

Players to Watch: Freedom: Aly Gazarek, Sr., MF; Sam Scolarici, Fr., MF. Briar Woods: Melissa Mailley, Sr., GK Brea Hewitt, Jr., MF.

Keys to the Game: In a rivalry game, Freedom must stay organized defensively and in the attack, as inexperience can sometimes hit you harder when it gets to the postseason. Gazarek's ability to guide the younger team is crucial. The Falcons will rely on steady play in defense and between the pipes to open things up more offensively and catch the young Eagles off balance.

No. 2 Loudoun County (12-2) vs. No. 7 Dominion (3-10-1) Saturday, 2 p.m., at Loudoun County

What to Watch: County's only two losses came to dominant Broad Run, and the Raiders have a talented squad led by Julianne Rickers (University of Miami). The Raiders have speed with Doyle, and Rickers is a target player in the mold of U.S. national star Abby Wambach. Dominion meanwhile is an intense team that will not go down without a fight, they are led by Kelly Jones (Northeastern) in the middle of the park.

Players to Watch: Loudoun County: Julianne Rickers, Sr., F. Mary Grace Doyle, Jr., MF. Dominion: Lauren Gaffney, Sr., F. Kelly Jones, Sr., MF.

Keys to the Game: Loudoun County must dictate the tempo of the game and look to find Rickers up top and let her cause damage in the back. Dominion is known as a team with lots of spirit, and the key for them will be to stay active and energetic throughout the game to challenge the favored Raiders.

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