KEY WEST -- The Key West High School girls soccer team has captured its district championship the past six years under the tutelage of Coach Scott Paul. This year they expect nothing less than taking it all again.

After a split in their Preseason Classic on Friday, the Lady Conchs begin their 2009-10 campaign at 4 p.m. today against the Royal Lions of LaSalle in Miami.

It's not a question of if they can make it to the state tournament, the biggest question is can they get past a pair of nemesis in District 15-4A Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop McCarthy both of which have not allowed the Lady Conchs to get past the regional semifinals since 2005. That year, Key West advanced to the final eight beating Gibbons only to run into eventual state champion American Heritage Plantation.

But for now, they must concentrate on getting their young squad past LaSalle and county rival Coral Shores on Friday.

Coach Paul is very excited about his squad of tough players led by juniors Jennifer Barcenas, Jasmine Jones and Jennifer Bodmer and senior Chloe DeVelasco.

Paul said he is looking for DeVelasco to lead the defense by example and will switch with Barcenas in midfield to make runs on offense.

"I'm looking not only for her to lead in the back but to teach from the back," Paul said. "She and Jennifer can switch off from defender and right side mid. They've worked together and know each other. Chloe knows that position and can make overlapping runs for a more dynamic game. She was able to do that against Marathon in the preseason classic.

"Until we get rolling into the season, Jennifer will probably run out of gas far earlier than we hoped for so she will be able to drop back to defender and Chloe will be there at outside mid."

Paul described Barcenas as his most skilled player but will need to get into midseason condition early in the year.

"Jennifer is comfortable using her right and left foot and can send the ball downfield. She has moves that no one else has and she can place the ball where she wants it to go," the coach said.

Paul said Jones has gone from a soft player to an extremely tough player.

"She can take punishment and she can deal out punishment," said Paul. "I'm going to put her into midfield to work with Kendall Galvan once Kendall returns from cross country. When Jasmine comes back to play defense she solidifies everything with her speed and with her willingness to hit. She is developing what could be a very strong shot."

Galvan a three-sport athlete excels in softball, soccer and most recently has stepped up to be the Conchs number two girls' runner on the cross country team.

"Kendall will be an impact player both offensively and defensively. She will be our center mid and at times and will play a single center mid sending Jasmine up into the offense," Paul said. "We're looking for big things from her as a sophomore."

Sophomore Robyn DeRoche, who scored the Conchs second goal against Marathon, has plenty of speed, has a good left foot and a willingness to cross and shoot.

"She is much tougher taking people out working hard during both games on Friday," he said. "She got over the lack of confidence as a freshman but will also be a factor this year."

Junior sweeper Eva Hooten has the speed to track down fast opponents and is athletic, coachable and intelligent.

"Her skills have grown dramatically. In the next two years she can become a dominant sweeper. She has great catch-up speed and is very tough. I think she is a full package."

Second year goalie Jessica Bodmer just finished volleyball season last week and was on the soccer field the following day. Although she has lost a little of her step in goal, Coach Paul says she is already picking up where she left off last year.

"Her confidence level has stepped back a little bit but it is already five steps ahead of where it was last year," the coach explained. "The time she put in during the off season is tremendous. I think she is one of those players that is going to get her game back fast. Her command of the field and of coaching and directing is tremendous. I told her to expect to take a lot of shots on goal from good teams and I think she is going to be able to help that."

Three freshmen really stand out according to Paul especially the Schoneck twins.

"They both like to hit, they like to learn new things and to try them out on the field," the coach said. "We're going to switch them from stopper to forward so they can relive each other. They will dog you down on the field. Also Adrian Garcia is back into soccer. She has grown and will play defensive stopper and played sweeper in club. She can use both feet and will have a nice calming influence in the backfield."

With only 12 players on the roster, the Conchs do not have much depth so will have to rely on youth and their fresh legs and hope they have not serious injuries along the way.

Although the district schedule is soft, Paul said they have gone outside their conference to play teams like Westminster Christian, Marathon who gives them a tough game each time they play as well as a very good Coral Shores squad.

"We get Marathon and Coral Shores twice a year, we play Hernando, Bishop Verot and Ransom Everglades. Each week we will have a tough game. We look to have our Christmas tournament at home but if that falls through we will travel to Sarasota and play three good teams. We might go to a Thanksgiving tournament also for games against three tough squads. I think we're going to have a nice balanced schedule."

Although Paul does not want to look past this year, he said they are planning for the future.

With a record of playing for the district championship 10 out of 10 years under Coach Paul, he said they are on task with fitness but must be able to score goals which was a downfall last year.

"We've got a very competitive team that is athletic and have the desire only to get better. I think this team can be quite competitive as the years roll on," Coach Paul said. "This team is going to be young and exciting."

rcooke@keysnews.com