Monday, November 2, 2009

TAVERNIER - The Coral Shores girls' soccer team has a huge but very achievable goal this season - take down Gulliver Prep every time they face the Miami-based school.

The Lady Hurricanes beat Gulliver during the regular season and were seeded number one heading into the postseason but lost to the Raiders in the District 16-3A finals and got knocked out of the Region 4-3A semifinals, 2-1, by - who else - Gulliver.

Second-year coach Arthur Paterson has an excellent squad of returning and new players led by his daughter Jasmine Paterson who is a member of the U.S. Under-15 Girls' National Team.

Although she spends a lot of time playing for the Kendall Soccer Coalition, a club team in Arizona and the U.S. U-15 teams, her father said her heart still belong to playing for the Hurricanes.

"We have to win that district title," coach Paterson said. "The goal for this year is to get by them."

With the experience on the 'Canes team, they could very well achieve that goal.

Starting in the net is junior Michelle Sexton, who played on an AYSO National Championship squad according to Paterson, but gave up soccer for softball. Although she has not played been on the turf for three years, he is confident with her skills and ability.

"Michelle is back and ecstatic about it," said the coach. "That will give Amber Spaulding at an attacking forward and midfield position where she is most dangerous."

Seniors Andrea Cockerham, who was named by the Miami Herald as second team All-Dade County as well as the Citizen's All County squad, Holly Givens and Chelsea Russell will provide leadership in the midfield and on defense.

Juniors Cerene Arsenault and Shelby Ragan and sophomore Cami Lopez will provide a strong presence in the midfield and junior, Vee Lopez, Cami's older sister, will start at right defender.

Newcomer Iris Dunn, daughter of Gary Dunn former University of Miami and Pittsburg Steelers football player, will start on top with Paterson.

In Coral Shores' preseason opener Friday against the South Florida Heat, Paterson scored three of their goals and Dunn added a pair. In addition to Dunn, fellow freshmen Samantha Score, Cheyenne Minaldi and Heather Doyle will be impact players on the very experienced squad.

"I think Iris is going to be a big impact player as a freshman," Paterson exclaimed. "She is becoming a very, very good soccer player. She will be something to be reckoned with in the future. With Iris and Jasmine up front they can really run."

Last season, Jasmine Paterson was not only the Citizen's Player of the Year, but was honored by Miami-Dade coaches as their player of the year. Her latest venture with the U-15 national team was training camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CAL under the tutelage of Coach Mike Dempsey. If she stays with the national squad, she will be eligible to play for the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago. She will spend her Thanksgiving break with the U.S. team at the Thanksgiving Interregional Tournament in Sunrise.

But for now, she is set to play for the 'Canes in their campaign to get further into the Class 3A State Tournament. Last season for Coral Shores, she scored 43 goals and with a more experienced squad, she should easily break that mark.

"Jasmine is very happy playing with Coral Shores and wants to bring something for Coral Shores," Paterson said. "She's working harder this year to be a better player but is not a vocal person so she wants to lead by example."

Overall, the coach says he like what he sees but knows they have a lot of work to do if they hope to attain their mark.

"I think we have a good team but have some work to do defensively. They played very well on Friday but it will take some time to bond," Paterson summarized. "I think we'll be alright. We are going to be very strong offensively but we will have to put in the work. I'm optimistic about this year. If we gel and play to our ability we're going to be all right."

rcooke@keysnews.com