Girls' soccer teams, players to watch in 2016

Area girls' soccer teams and players to watch this spring.

Teams

Iowa City West (20-2, 13-0 MVC) — Defending 3A champions did not start a senior last season and return three first-team all-staters: juniors Regan Steigleder and Emma Cooper at the top of the attack and Payton Pottratz (ISU recruit) at defensive mid. Senior Tia Saunders, who also runs track, had an exceptional state tournament on defense and senior Caitlyn Ryan (Wartburg) was the all-tournament goalie. Midfielder Anna Zimmerman and center back Katie Olson (UNI) were both first team all-MVC.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy (16-4, 11-2) — Cougars followed up their championship season with another state tournament appearance, bowing out in the quarterfinals to Johnston. This team is loaded with Carly Langhurst (ISU) back from injury and all-staters Sydney Hayden (UNI) and Anna Frerichs (ISU) back along with goalie Olivia Weigel (13 goals against). All-MVC pick Morgan Petsche has been Ms. Versatility for the Cougars.

Cedar Rapids Xavier (9-8, 7-6) — Saints lost top two players in Lizzie Bailey and Katie Ives off a state tournament qualifier but had eight underclassmen starters led by all-stater Grace McDermott and second-team all-MVC pick Addy Hoffman. Keeper Melody Snow is also back. Replacing Ives' scoring and Bailey's all-over-the-field leadership will be key. Saints should be more comfortable with Coach Beth Samek's system in her second year.

Iowa City Regina (16-4) — Regals fell in the state semifinals and return eight starters including Lauren Ronnfeldt (Butler) and all-staters Jenny Wick (UNI) and Lizzy DePrenger (Luther). Ann Larew has taken over the coaching of the girls' team, the fifth coach in five years, and she'll have plenty to work with. Regina is loaded with multisport participants and all-around athletes as it seeks its fifth consecutive state trip.

Center Point-Urbana (13-6, 11-2 Wamac) and Clear Creek Amana (16-2, 10-0) — These teams should battle for the West Division of the Wamac. The 2A Clippers lost Megan and Kelsey Hall and their 35 goals but return seven starters, including all-stater Hannah Bormann (38 goals, 18 assists). Defense will be the Clippers' strength after giving up only 10 goals a year ago. The 1A Stormin' Pointers are loaded, returning their top six scorers among 11 starters, led by seniors Tessa Kohl (22 goals, 4 assists) and Grayson Gifford (13 goals, 6 assists), both all-conference. Also all-conference Courtney Jones, Arika Wooldridge and Rachel Liercke are back.

IGHSAU Rankings

(Last year's record in parentheses)

CLASS 3A: 1. Iowa City West (19-2), 2. Ankeny Centennial (14-5), 3. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (16-3), 4. Johnston (14-6), 5. West Des Moines Dowling (17-3), 6. Dubuque Hempstead (15-4), 7. Bettendorf (14-6), 8. West Des Moines Valley (13-7), 9. Muscatine (12-4), 10. Waukee (12-4), 11. Pleasant Valley (17-5), 12. Sioux City East (12-5), 13. Ankeny (15-5), 14. Linn-Mar (15-5), 15. Iowa City High (10-7)

CLASS 2A: 1. Sioux City Heelan (20-2), 2. Pella (12-4), 3. Cedar Rapids Xavier (9-8), 4. North Scott (15-6), 5. Spencer (17-2), 6. Council Bluffs Lewis Central (13-4), 7. La Porte City Union (15-6), 8. Waverly-Shell Rock (12-5), 9. Dallas Center-Grimes (16-3), 10. Clear Creek-Amana (16-2), 11. Newton (13-5), 12. Burlington Notre Dame (18-2), 13. Grinnell (11-7), 14. Adel ADM (13-5), 15. DeWitt Central (15-1)

CLASS 1A: 1. Nevada (19-2), 2. Waterloo Columbus (13-5), 3. Iowa City Regina (16-4), 4. Davenport Assumption (11-9), 5. Council Bluffs St. Albert (15-7), 6. Center Point-Urbana (13-6), 7. Denver (16-3), 8. Gilbert (13-4), 9. Tri-Center (15-5), 10. Solon (13-6), 11. Underwood (15-3), 12. Nodaway Valley/WCF/AC (13-3), 13. Bondurant-Farrar (9-12), 14. Fairfield (13-5), 15. North Polk (14-3)

Players

Regan Steigleder and Emma Cooper, jrs., Iowa City West — Might be the best one-two punch in the state and still just juniors. Both scored 24 goals for the state champs and they combined for 16 assists. Mobile, versatile, skilled and quick, they are a headache for opposing defenses. Both have played a lot of soccer and their experience and knowledge of the game shows on the field.

Josie Durr, jr., Solon — A two-time all-state midfielder, Durr committed to play at Iowa after scoring 39 goals with 14 assists. She was the second-leading goal scorer in the state last year. She has 66 goals in two seasons. She is a big reason the Spartans are optimistic about challenging for a conference title and postseason run.

Hannah Bormann, jr., Clear Creek-Amana — Two-time all-stater was third in the state in goals with 38. She also had 18 assists. Her career totals include 68 goals and 26 assists. Hard to believe but she might be even more prolific with the graduation of the Hall sisters, who combined for 35 goals.

Jenny Wick, sr., Iowa City Regina — A multisport star for the Regals, Wick missed her sophomore season with an ACL injury but bounced back to score 30 goals with 14 assists. Strong, athletic player with great knowledge of the game. Has signed with UNI.

Sydney Hayden, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — First team all-state selection after scoring a team-leading 16 goals and 24 assists for a state-tournament qualifier. Hayden's mobility and vision create chances for herself and teammates. Just finished an outstanding basketball season as team's 3-point specialist and second-leading scorer. Has signed with UNI for soccer.