All-star soccer games showcase talent to college coaches
The futures of 90 Savannah-area boys and girls soccer players could be affected Saturday as Savannah Country Day hosts four all-star contests to be played in front of 23 college coaches.
The three girls teams will play in a round-robin format of two 40-minute halves against the other two teams as part of the third annual Coastal Empire All-Star Invitational.
According to Windsor Forest soccer coach Cam Turner, 18 seniors have the opportunity to play in front of 11 coaches, including coaches from the Savannah College of Art and Design and Armstrong Atlantic State.
"I created these games three years ago when I realized that many of our top soccer players were not receiving the necessary exposure to help continue their soccer careers," Turner said. "These games offer players in Southeast Georgia the opportunity to be scouted by college coaches who normally would not see them play."
St. Vincent's Academy coach Andy Kaplan can attest. Two former Saints, Hannah Burnsed and Erin Fogarty, were able to continue their careers for Brewton-Parker College after their performances in the game.
"It's a nice honor for those kids," Kaplan said. "It's a good thing for soccer in our area.
"We're happy when any of our girls achieves that goal, if that is one of their goals. We've had 14 players since I've been coaching who have gone on to play in college. We're absolutely thrilled for them when one of our players are able to achieve that goal."
The sophomore and junior boys game is scheduled for 5 p.m., and the game featuring the senior boys area all-stars is slated for 7. The girls games start at 2 p.m.
Per Turner, 33 senior boys will play in front of 12 college coaches, including one from SCAD.
Southern Conference member Georgia Southern University will have their goalkeepers coach in attendance as well, Turner said.
Thirty-six sophomores and juniors will have the opportunity to give the coaches something to think about for the next two recruiting classes.
For the seniors, Turner said, this game is a matter of closure.
"Many of these seniors, this will be their chance to be seen by college coaches," he said. "Many of the college coaches that are attending this weekend are coming specifically looking for players."
He added that coaches will be looking for anywhere from 10-15 girls and about 10 boys.
Turner said these games feature the best talent from all of Southeast Georgia.
"Twenty-two different schools (are) sending their best players," he said. "If you've never had the chance to go and watch the top-level soccer be played, this is the day to do it."
ROSTERS
GIRLS
White
Collin Buttimer, St. Vincent's
Katie Massey, St. Vincent's
Carrie West, St. Vincent's
Rachel Connell, Calvary
Callie Smith, Calvary
Victoria Lee, Savannah Arts
Colleen Guetherman, Savannah Arts
Laikin Dooley, Savannah Arts
Camden Stoval, Savannah Arts
Marissa Ham, Effingham
Brianna Stewart, Effingham
Sarah Wells, Bradwell
Brennan Lindsey, Bradwell
Kaylie Durham, Bradwell
Ashley Riles, Bradwell
Tori Thompson, Statesboro
Marley Burke, Statesboro
Red
Emily Drown, St. Vincent's
Megan Weeks, St. Vincent's
Blake Willoughby, St. Vincent's
Baley Jackson, St. Vincent's
Caroline Groover, Sav. Country Day
Elise Brannen, Sav. Country Day
Rachel Usher, Sav. Country Day
Kayla Taylor, Richmond Hill
Kaitlynn Martinson, Richmond Hill
Marjan Mustafa, Richmond Hill
Cassie Dardeno, Windsor Forest
Abbey Darnell, Windsor Forest
Bianca Baarh, Windsor Forest
Katherine Bonds, Glynn Academy
Lizzie Glenn, Glynn Academy
Sarah Geer, Glynn Academy
Jennifer Saunders, Glynn Academy
Teal
Sarah Mac Bowman, Sav. Country Day
Sarah DeVaro, Sav. Country Day
Catherine Kimball, Calvary
Teta Alexander, Calvary
Taylor Hockensmith, Wayne Co.
Hannah Lawson, Wayne Co.
Taylor Herron, Camden Co.
Carly Heatherly, Camden Co.
Savannah McCaskill, Camden Co.
Lindsey Morton, Ware Co.
Jade Skinner, Ware Co.
Chandler Ewaldsen, Savannah Christian
Erica Judy, Savannah Christian
Leigh Hancock, Savannah Christian
Hayley Goodman, Islands HS
Christian Schley, Islands HS
Green Keepers
Elyse Gowen, Camden
Shelby Howard, Calvary
Caroline Smith, Richmond Hill
Morgan Smith, Effingham
SENIOR BOYS
White
Joe Thompson, Effingham
Jacob Iten, Effingham
Colby Pearce, Effingham
Okechukwu Ezeh, Windsor
Francisco Moyer, Windsor
Ignacio Aguilar, Windsor
P.J. Barcomb, Windsor
Arman Knowles, Johnson
Jamaal Hill, Johnson
Zach Naspinski, SAA
Patrick Worsham, SAA
Colin Roozbehi, SAA
Caleb Lawson, Wayne Co.
Jose' Mendez, Wayne Co.
Kris Lewis, Bradwell
Alberto Llavona, Bradwell
Red
Darion Mallette, LCHS
James Duddleston, Camden
Cameron Bennett, Camden
Keith Pecko, Camden
Aaron Lang, Camden
Jack Edward, SCD
Jordan Carter, IHS
Kyle Williams, BC
Tyler Heebner, IHS
Brandon Ford, Calvary
Josh Shepherd, Calvary
Mac Miller, SCPS
Zac McLendon, Statesboro
Cody Francis, Statesboro
Blake McKinnon, Glynn Academy
Muang Tlang, Glynn Academy
Luke Love, Glynn Academy
JUNIOR
White
Thomas McCarthy, BC
Joseph Ireland, BC
Chazmin Willis, Jenkins
Will Fox, SCPS
Bradley Morgan, SCPS
Bryce Wolverton, SCPS
Ethan Ewing, Bradwell
Luke Stroud, Calvary
Corbin Howard, Calvary
Jim Johnson, Glynn Academy
Logan Gleaton, Glynn Academy
McKinley Mercer, Glynn Academy
Chris Ogden, Glynn Academy
Dalton Collins, Glynn Academy
Emerson Ham, SCD
Landon Walls, SCD
Trey Ellis, SCD
Hector Angeles, Statesboro
Red
Seth Starling, Ware Co.
Ali'l Mitchell, Ware Co.
Neel Enriquez, Ware Co.
Ricco Francisco, Windsor
Isaac Avila, Wayne Co.
Jonathan Hatala, Rich. Hill
Kenneth Adams, Rich. Hill
Joel Heiser, Rich. Hill
Tyler Riha, Effingham
Miles Young, SAA
Torin Melville, SAA
Chris O'Hayer, SAA
Richmond Amponsah, IHS
Ryan Tatusko, IHS
Paul Smoak, IHS
Alessandro Marra, IHS
Grant Gabriel, Camden
Jeremy Beam, Camden