Redmond High School returning all-league soccer players Jill Westendorf, left, Sydney Tucker, middle, and Bev Schlegel will try to lead the Panthers to the state playoffs.

Do any area girls soccer teams have a shot at making the state playoffs?

A quick glance at records from 2007 reveals four squads that finished third or higher in their league. All four of those teams look to build on last season’s success. And in the world of Class 6A soccer, Redmond hopes to lead the charge.

“The faster we come along, the greater chance we’ll have to win the league championship,” says Redmond head coach Ken Marshall. The Panthers have greater depth this season than last and are “more balanced top to bottom,” observes Marshall. That depth and balance could help Redmond topple league rival South Salem, the Panthers’ biggest threat in the Central Valley Conference, according to Marshall.

Redmond fields three players who earned all-league distinction in 2007. Seniors Bev Schlegel and Jill Westendorf return to lead the Panthers, and they will be supported by junior Sydney Tucker and sophomore Ayla Placios. Marshall adds that returning junior Rae Keener will add further depth and experience to the team.

“They’re a good cohesive group with good leadership ability,” Marshall says.

The veteran coach notes that this season’s Panthers are decidedly more athletic than in years past, though the girls lack true soccer experience, as few of them play year-round for area club teams.

In the Class 5A Intermountain Conference, the fierce rivalry between area powers Bend, Summit and Mountain View should make for some exciting soccer.

Last season, Bend won the IMC crown but faced tough competition from Summit, which finished second, and Mountain View, which finished third.

“The IMC is tougher than ever — the state champ could very well come out of our league,” states Bob Welch, coach of the reigning IMC champs. “The teams in Bend are as good as any other team in the state at the 5A level.”

Returning Bend all-leaguers include seniors Ali Friesen and Callie Greenleaf, and juniors Cori Ervin, Emily Miller and Amelia Salazar. Much of the Lava Bears’ offense and midfield remains intact, and the team also enjoys the security of Miller, their veteran goalkeeper.

One area of concern may be defense, as the Lava Bears graduated most of their key stoppers. Of particular concern is filling the shoes of defensive anchor Jen Hilts, the IMC’s 2007 player of the year. Welch believes that adequately rebuilding last year’s stellar defense will be the key to Bend’s success.

“If we can do that (replace the defense),” he says, “we can challenge for the championship.”

Would that be the league championship or the state championship, coach?

“Both,” Welch replies confidently.

Welch predicts that the Lava Bears could find themselves competing with Summit or Mountain View again in the state playoffs.

Summit coach Jamie Brock echoes Welch’s forecast.

“All three (Bend, Summit and Mountain View),” says Brock, “are pretty equally matched.”

So what will decide which team comes out on top?

Brock believes it will come down to mental toughness — an attribute that can be difficult to coach.

“Some kids have it, and you just have to hope they pass it on to the others,” says the Summit coach.

Brock says she tries to keep the intensity level in practice high in anticipation of tough league competition ahead.

The Storm has a long list of returning all-league players, among them: seniors Sam Bennett, Allison Flaherty, Alicia Haynes and Michaela Tobey, juniors Francy Grater and Emily Strome, and sophomores Eve Hess and Monica McEntee. Stacy Patterson is a junior transfer from Washington who could play a key role on offense for the Storm, according to Brock.

“Barring some disaster, we could go 1, 2, 3,” says Brock of Bend’s three IMC programs.

“No one team is unbeatable.”

Though this season is her first as Mountain View’s head coach, Lindsey Peterson has known most of the Cougar players for two years. Peterson was the program’s junior varsity coach in 2006, and she was the assistant coach for the varsity squad last season.

Like Bend High’s Welch and Summit’s Brock, Peterson believes the IMC is “totally up for grabs.”

The key to the Cougars’ success, says Peterson, will be peaking at the right time. She notes that last season Mountain View may have peaked too early — playing well in the early season but fading off in league play.

Back this year for Mountain View are four 2007 all-leaguers: senior Robyn Neimann, juniors Sam Cant and Jordyn Blackwell, and sophomore Molly McCool. Five freshmen balance out the Cougars’ varsity squad, two of whom, Madison Shore and Allie Cummins, are members of the state Olympic Development Program team.

In 2006, Mountain View reached the 5A state semifinals before being eliminated. Last season, the Cougars lost in the quarterfinals at state.

“We want to make it to that final game,” Peterson says.

Both Madras (which finished sixth in the IMC last season) and Crook County (which finished seventh) hope to build on last season’s gains in hopes of creating more competitive teams for the future.

Likewise, Sisters expects to move up from last year’s fourth-place finish in the Sky-Em League, while La Pine looks to finish “mid-pack,” says Hawks coach Scott Winslow, after ending last season seventh in the Sky-Em. Winslow notes that to improve in the standings, the Hawks will need to play up to their ability level every day.

Girls soccer outlook

Redmond Panthers

Head coach: Ken Marshall (fourth season)

2007 record: 9-6-1 overall, 7-4-1 CVC (third); advanced to the Class 6A state quarterfinals

Returning all-league players: Sydney Tucker, jr., forward; Bev Schlegel, jr., midfielder; Jill Westendorf, sr., goalkeeper

Season opener: Redmond at Crook County, Sept. 4

Central Valley Conference opener: McNary at Redmond, Sept. 9

Bend High Lava Bears

Head coach: Bob Welch (second season)

2007 record: 13-3-1 overall, 7-0 IMC (first); advanced to the Class 5A state final

Returning all-league players: Cori Ervin, jr., midfielder; Ali Friesen, sr., midfielder; Devinne Fagen, sr., defender; Emily Miller, jr., goalkeeper; Callie Greenleaf, sr., defender; Amelia Salazar, jr., defender

Season opener: South Medford at Bend, Sept. 5

Intermountain Conference opener: Madras at Bend, Sept. 30

Mountain View Cougars

Head coach: Lindsey Peterson (first year)

2007 record: 12-4 overall, 4-2 IMC (third); advanced to the Class 5A state quarterfinals

Returning all-league players: Sam Cant, jr., midfielder; Robyn Neimann, sr., defender; Molly McCool, so., midfielder; Kendyl Wilcox, jr., forward; Jordyn Blackwell, jr., midfielder

Season opener: North Medford at Mountain View, Sept. 5

Intermountain Conference opener: Hermiston at Mountain View, Oct. 3

Summit Storm

Head coach: Jamie Brock (fourth season)

2007 record: 11-5 overall, 6-1 IMC (second); advanced to the Class 5A state quarterfinals

Returning all-league players: Sam Bennett, sr., midfielder; Allison Flaherty, sr., defender; Alicia Haynes, sr., goalkeeper; Francy Grater, jr., defender; Michaela Tobey, sr., defender; Eve Hess, so., defender; Monica McEntee, so., defender; Emily Strome, jr., defender

Season opener: Summit defeated Roseburg 3-1 on Tuesday

Intermountain Conference opener: Pendleton at Summit, Oct. 3

Crook County Cowgirls

Head coach: Libby Rodgers (third season)

2007 record: 1-10-1 overall, 0-6-1 IMC (seventh)

Returning all-league players: Shandie Curtis, jr., defender; Ashlyn Hanson, jr., forward; Korey Hehn, jr., midfielder; Necole Ontko, sr., goalkeeper

Season opener: Springfield defeated Crook County 9-1 on Tuesday

Intermountain Conference opener: Crook County at The Dalles-Wahtonka, Sept. 30

Madras White Buffaloes

Head coach: Debby Taylor (second season)

2007 record: 3-9-2 overall, 1-4-2 IMC (sixth)

Returning all-league players: Megan Fine, sr., defender; Hillary Alire, jr., midfielder; Ali Aguilar, sr., midfielder

Season opener: Madras at Hood River (late), Tuesday

Intermountain Conference opener: Madras at Bend, Sept. 30

Sisters Outlaws

Head coach: Nik Goertzen (second season)

2007 record: 8-6-1 overall, 8-5-1 Sky-Em (fourth)

Returning all-league players: Mindy Marr, jr., midfielder; Jenna Sneva, sr., goalkeeper

Season opener: Sisters at Cascade, Sept. 4

Sky-Em League opener: La Pine at Sisters, Sept. 11

La Pine Hawks

Head coach: Scott Winslow (fourth season)

2007 record: 2-11-1 overall, 2-11-1 Sky-Em (seventh)

Returning all-league players: Maria Ramirez, sr., midfielder; Megan Glenn, sr., defender

Season opener: Creswell at La Pine, Sept. 9

Sky-Em League opener: Creswell at La Pine, Sept. 9