Laker girls experienced and ready to make a run
MATTHEW SHERMAN / lake oswego review
Lake Oswego’s Gabbie Lindeman looks to fend off a Sunset player for a loose ball in a non-league game last week. The Lakers lost two early games but beat Oregon City 2-0 on Thursday in its first league game.
Once the Lake Oswego girls soccer team starts scoring goals, the Lakers should prove to be extremely formidable again this year.
In the preseason, the offense had yet to show up albeit against extremely strong competition. In a pair of games and a jamboree, the Lakers couldn’t find the net. But the silver lining is that, Lake Oswego was played on par with two very strong opponents.
“It’s not like we’re being outplayed. We’re just not in sync yet,” coach Dominic Yambasu said.
The Lakers fell 1-0 to both Tualatin and Sunset as the talented and experienced team tunes up for another challenging year in the Three Rivers League.
As such, Lake Oswego has been working on finishing in practices and Yambasu believes that things will come together soon and, when they do, the Lakers should be very strong.
“We haven’t quite gelled yet. Losing Mady (Johnson) was big because she created a lot of things but once we find the net we will be very competitive,” Yambasu said.
Lake Oswego has plenty of talent and experience all over the field.
Up front Lake Oswego returns speedster Jacqui Wallis along with Melinda Madden. Both players were goal-scoring threats last season.
Also adding depth up front throughout the season will be Ally Rumpakis and Isobel Richmond, a transfer from the Chicago area and a pair of freshman in Libby Johnson and Grayson Williams.
The midfield may be Lake Oswego’s biggest strong suit this year.
Yambasu has made an effort to shore up the midfield line and the Lakers are loaded with experience there.
Cali Reis and Gabbie Lindeman, two of the team’s strongest and most versatile players will see significant time at midfield. Both have scoring potential as well as a strong defensive background.
“It’s nice to have players who can be put at multiple positions. You know they will be viable and productive and you’re not gambling with where you put them,” Yambasu said.
Also seeing time at midfield will be Megan Hoss and Julianne Parker who are both experienced players, along with Megan Swindells.
“We are shuffling people around and finding combinations that work well,” Yambasu said.
Defensively, the Lakers have been very strong in the early going.
The back line is anchored by Tori Gray and Amy Schlesinger, both seniors and they are flanked by Sara Edmondson and Megan Ellis.
In goal for the Lakers this year is junior Ashleigh Anderson who split time with Kat Colson last year.
Lake Oswego boasts one of its most experienced teams in recent years as it is senior heavy. Many of those seniors have been playing together for years on various club teams as well.
In the team’s first league game the Lakers knocked off Oregon City 2-0. The Pioneers have traditionally been one of the league’s strongest teams. Lake Oswego figures to contend for the league this year and hopes to make a long postseason run as well.
“I’m confident that we’ll be right up there. We’ve been fortunate not to have any major injuries and the girls are ready to go,” Yambasu said.
Lake Oswego takes on Lakeridge next Tuesday.