Morton ready to run

The Morton girls soccer team has the mind set that eight is not enough.

The Potters this spring will seek their ninth consecutive Mid-Illini Conference title.

Morton was 13-6-1 overall in 2009 and 10-1-1 in the league.

Although Pekin snapped the Potters’ 68-match streak without an M-I loss last year, the girls are 88-2-4 over the last eight campaigns.

Like many teams, Morton was aided in the preseason by the nice weather.

“We’re probably ahead of where we’ve ever been as far as tactical preparation,” MHS head coach Brian Deters said.

The Potters are young, but they possess ample experience. Of the team’s five seniors, two probably will start.

“We have a lot of underclassmen who have to pull their weight,” said Deters.

Elizabeth Kennell gets to take over the goalkeeper duties this year.

The quick, athletic senior has improved every season, and Deters said he hopes she will provide leadership.

Kennel replaces Brooke Bisping, who, before playing Division I women’s basketball at Bradley University, was a first-team all-league and Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association all-sectional keeper in ’09.

Backing her up in the net is sophomore Ally Shafer.

The potential keeper of the future, Shafer also will perform at the frosh/soph level.

In a 4-4-2 system, junior Lauren Wirth is making the transition to an outside back slot.

A varsity player since her freshman year, Wirth has a good soccer IQ, can run and keep the defensive shape and use her mental awareness to communicate well.

Also at outside back is sophomore Tori Vance.

She is athletic, has a good pace and provides an emotional edge. Vance has the ability to rise to the occasion.

Center backs Kathryn Hess and Erika Payne, both juniors, are formidable defenders.

Hess was a first-team all-league and all-sectional player a year ago. She is technical, offers great on-the-ball speed and understands her position well.

Payne converted to center back with her ability to distribute the ball and be a member of the Potter attack.

“I see those two working out well together,” Deters said of the Hess/Payne combination.

Sophomore Alexa Wharram brings versatility.

An athletic, speedy player with a good attitude, she can play outside back and offensive or defensive center midfielder.

Andrea Schoen is a senior who can handle a lot of positions as well.

She can play in the middle or outside in any area of the field. Schoen is especially strong striking with her left foot.

Sophomores Macaela Bennett and Kirsten Klawer are potential defensive contributors.

Bennett is a technical player, while Klawer is a hard-nosed, relentless athlete with skills as an on-the-ball defender.

Improved junior Taylor Harrison has good speed and a tremendous attitude.

Sarah Abraham, a freshman, contributes quickness and a natural understanding of how to defend.

At outside midfielder, senior Lauren Simpson has emerged as a team leader. She serves the ball well, can pass effectively and make runs off the ball.

Sophomore Erin Tisdale, who is working on her second varsity letter in the sport after doing the same in girls basketball, understands the competitive nature of playing at that level.

In her natural spot, Tisdale can take a defender one-on-one and serve from the outside with the increased confidence she has shown.

Junior Jordan Powley, who also could get minutes up top, is very athletic and speedy. She is a natural left-side player.

Freshman Alyssa Reitz cuts back well, makes good runs and, with her versatility, is capable of being in the attack.

First-year player Anna Dryden, a senior, is mature, has a terrific attitude and supplies speed and endurance.

Chelsey Funk is back out this season for Morton. She brings a senior edge to the fold and could get minutes at outside midfielder or forward.

The Potter center midfielders — junior Holly Bennett and sophomore Kayla Campbell — will be a focal point of every opponent’s game plan.

Bennett was a first-team all-conference and all-sectional choice last year.

A complete player with an aspiration to play at the next level, Deters said Bennett is a great leader who is coachable and works hard. She will score goals, distribute and defend while navigating the entire field.

Campbell, a second-team all-M-I recipient as a freshman, has an explosive first step and nice shot from the middle position that is most comfortable for her. Deters said Campbell is one of the more talented attacking players of the last 15 years.

As Morton builds through the middle, it will try to get Bennett and Campbell a lot of touches.

At forward, junior Kayla Mueller contributes strength and confidence. She was one of the Potters’ scoring leaders in a first-team all-league season in ’09.

Freshman Ashli Voeller has a nose for the goal. As a forward, she has a lot of velocity on her strike, gets good position for shots and is deceptively quick. Voeller also appears to be a player who can elevate for games.

Junior Emily Ogden could get minutes in a variety of capacities. She is athletic, brings energy to practice and helps with team chemistry.

“We’re very skilled,” Deters said. “What I want to see the first four games is how does that translate.”

Morton has a daunting first four contests with road games at East Moline (Thursday) and Dunlap (Tuesday) before Pekin and Notre Dame come to Rotary Field.

There are four other conference challengers it appears.

Pekin was 9-1-2 in the M-I last year and has a slew of potential returnees.

Dunlap always is solid, and Metamora has highly-regarded coach Danny Driscoll. Washington’s discipline and work ethic are taking shape.

Morton will return to the late-season Chatham Glenwood and Quincy Notre Dame invitationals, where every match is competitive.

Among the other Potter personnel losses to graduation were Kristin Dierker, Tess Overcash and Rachael Payne, all of whom were first- or second-team all-conference honorees. Dierker earned all-state merit.