The Lakers were the TRL’s best in ’21 and just may be again this season.
The Lake Oswego girls soccer team was the Three Rivers League’s best in 2021.
The Lakers went unbeaten on the way to winning the TRL title, earned the second seed to the Class 6A state playoffs, then played their way into the 6A quarterfinals and finished with a sterling 14-1-2 overall record.
As it turns out, LO liked being on top and is planning for more of the same in 2022.
“I am fairly confident we will do well,” said Lake Oswego coach Foday Kabba (he was named TRL Coach of the Year in ‘21). “(But) I think our position in league will depend on how quickly we can adapt to our formation and style of play and keeping everyone healthy.”
The 2022 version of the Lakers will be led by a trio of returning all-TRL players and another three strong seniors. The all-leaguers include senior midfielder Megan Ko (she was a first-team all-TRL pick in ‘21), senior midfielder Natalie Redpath (another first-team pick) and junior defender/midfielder Alix Shipton (an honorable mention selection), while the additional senior leaders include senior defender Maja Hunter, senior defender Sofia Anissian and senior forward Megan Voss.
“We have our two team captains (Redpath and Ko) along with three incredible seniors leading the way for us,” Kabba said. “They are driven to do well and set a great example for the rest of the team to follow.”
Other returners from last year’s varsity roster are: sophomore defender/midfielder Julia Joseph; junior forward Anjali Cherian; junior midfielder Lia Komitor; junior midfielder Ella Oliva; sophomore midfielder Parker Von Allmen; and junior midfielder Annabelle Baggio.
Also ready for varsity playing time are: junior goalkeeper Sadie Gardner; freshman defender/midfielder Blake Francis; junior defender/midfielder/forward Mairin Kelly; senior forward Kaitlyn Sasadeusz; junior forward Natalie Foss; and sophomore defender Parker Lemm.
“I envision all our players playing a part throughout the season. Playing time will be earned based on quality, work rate and performance at training and games,” Kabba said. “We are a team in every sense of the word. We do not rely on one player to make things happen — we defend and attack as a unit. Everyone has a job and responsibility within the team concept.”
As to the coming Three Rivers League race — the Lakers host St. Mary’s at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, in their TRL opener — Kabba said his team will need to be ready every time it hits the pitch.
“(Who is favored to win the TRL) is a tough question to answer without knowing what adjustments and additions each team has made,” he said. “I think every team has the chance to be competitive and fight for that top spot.”
You can see the West Linn team preview here.
You can see the Lakeridge team preview here.
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