Eastern Promise

Eastern European, that is, and since taking over at the helm of the Lady Eagles soccer team four years ago, Bosnia's Satko Lunja has helped bring two district titles to Eastern High School. Lunja played several years of professional soccer in Europe, coached at Olympico Sarajevo, Hertha BSC, and was the director of sport for Bosnia. And his experience has enabled Eastern High School to progress to the point that they are now plotting regional success. "With wins over Male, South Oldham and Ballard last year, the bar will be set high for this year," says assistant coach Edward Hamilton. "As for season hopes, we have a solid shot at winning district tournament and regions." The nucleus of the team comprises a trio from three-time Kentucky State Open Champion Mockingbird '92, in talented juniors Lizzy Lemons, Chelsea McCarty, and returning All-State forward Alex Hoar (24 goals). These girls have played together since they were 9 years old. Another junior who has impressed early season is Amanda Weber, a defensive midfielder/ sweeper who plays her club soccer with United. Leadership is expected to come from seniors Alex Redmond, Ellie Kohler, Shelbi Ledford and Chela Welch, while new blood comes along with the likes of freshmen Lauren Moats--a state ODP member who plays with Javanon-and Mackenzie Head of Mockingbird. It is usually how the Lady Eagles do against rivals Ballard in District 15 that determines their season's fortunes. For the past four years, the sides have faced each other post--season and have taken turns at beating each other. Eastern went down 3-2 to the Bruins last season, but overcame them in 2006 to win district before losing to Oldham County in regional. Other tough games on the schedule include North Oldham and Christian Academy of Louisville. "At any given time, any of these teams can beat each other," says Hamilton. Eastern is currently in the process of building a brick Walk of Fame to its home field. The intent is to honor past and present players and other key contributors to its soccer program. If the Lady Eagles were to have its best season this year, the bricks on that walkway could very well start filling up pretty fast! TEAMS TO WATCH Sacred Heart You don't need to be Einstein to know the Valkyries are among the teams to keep a keen eye on this year. Last year's KHSAA state champion went 17-4-3 but was unstoppable in Kentucky, as its only three setbacks were to out-of-state squads. Sacred Heart has lost nine experienced seniors but with five starters returning, it will field a young but experienced team. Offensively, the team will be lead by juniors Jenna Price and Nikki Hafele, along with sophomore Lucy Chauvin. On the defensive end are seniors Brittney Eisner and Kayla Duffy, while junior Jackie Hafele will solidify the midfield. Assumption The Rockets will be lead by senior goalkeeper Olivia Hemme, an all-state player last year who recently committed to Murray State, senior forward Erin Storck, and junior center back Michelle Holland, a returning all-state player. Assumption has lost eight starters from last year--seven of whom are now playing college soccer. Coach Kenton Meyers says they are "young but talented" and will improve during the season, hoping to be very competitive by tournament time. duPont Manual The Lady Crimsons, 2007 Region 6 winners, will be determined to make a serious run at State following narrow losses to Elizabethtown last year and Sacred Heart in 2006. They are led by Rick Underwood, who knows what it is like to be a girls' state winner, having guided Male to the title in 1993 and 1994. Oldham County The Lady Colonels are returning six starters and several off the bench that had quality playing time last year. Coach Danny Schulz says he is confident they will be in the running come the end of the season. "We will be one of those teams that no one wants to face come tournament time," he says. Players to watch include Dani Irwin, Sarah Ingle, Bailiegh Frantz and Lauren Boyd. Atherton The Rebels posted a 13-4 record last season and scored a total of 73 goals, which, according to the KHSAA, placed it among the top six teams in Kentucky. Players to keep an eye out for this year include Lucijana Vrebac, who scored 20 and 26 goals her freshman and sophomore years respectively, Tania Avalos (15 goals last season), and goalkeeper Sydney Tock, who posted nine shutouts in 2007. South Oldham/North Oldham South Oldham has won six Kentucky High School Athletic Association Championships under head coach Cy Tucker, the last being in 2001. However, it has not taken district since 2005, thanks primarily to local rival North Oldham. Expect another ding-dong battle between the pair when October comes.