There was a tone of excitement in Doug Desmarteau’s voice as the head coach talked about the 2011 version of the Allen County Community College women’s soccer team.
“We have 19 girls. This is the biggest women’s squad we’ve had and they are soccer players. We are better technically this year than we have been to start a season,” Desmarteau said.
The Red Devil women have eight returning sophomores — seven were starters last year. The ACCC women open the 2011 season on a three-game road trip starting Wednesday at McPherson.
The Red Devil women were 4-9 in Region VI play last year finishing 10th. They had a 5-12 overall mark.
Allen County’s home opener is Aug. 30 against Northwest Technical College of Goodland. It has three straight home games starting with NWTC.
Back for the Red Devils are Kayla Besmer, Mo Shaffer, Caroline DeMague, Crystal Jerome, Sarah Seymour, Jenna Wells and Aria Huguenin. Katie King is a red-shirt freshman.
“Kayla was our leading scorer last year and will lead us up top. Mo scored several goals for us last year and is a good midfielder. Caroline is our workhorse playing midfield. She’s our driving force,” Desmarteau said.
“Crystal plays wide for us and we expect her to have a lot assists this year plus help with scoring.”
Besmer, DeMague and Jerome are the team captains.
Helping defend the goal for ACCC as the anchors of the defense are Seymore and Wells. King was injured last year and Desmarteau expects her to be a big part of the ACCC offense.
“Katie does a great job of finishing balls. Combining the sophomores and the good job of freshmen we have this year, we should be able to possess the ball much better,” he said.
“Being able to do that turns into more scoring opportunities. We have dangerous forwards to put the ball away into the net.”
Speaking of the net, the Red Devils have a new goalkeeper, Cheace Mahaulu, one of four freshman players from Hiawai on the squad. Besmer can also play in goal for ACCC.
The other three girls from Hiawai are Amanda Larson, Malia Talbert and Ajah Valdez. They join freshmen Danielle Wilber of Kansas City, Mo., Susie Jimenez of Manhattan, Kelsey Estep of Manhattan, Sylvan Barnes of Topeka, Autumn Ferrel of Mannford, Okla., Marissa Manzo of Kansas City, Mo., and SaHayla Griggs of Moran on the squad.
Desmarteau said Talbert is very techincially sound She is very good with the ball up top and a scoring threat as a midfielder and forward. Wilbur and Manzo are expected to bolster the defensive back.
“We have a lot of girls who are going to contribute to the team. Our team chemistry is very good this season,” Desmarteau said.
“We’ve been competitive in the region and we think this year we can close the gap even further with the top programs in the region with this year’s team.”
Allen County Community College
2011 Women’s Soccer Roster
No. Name Hometown Position Height Class
GK Cheace Mahaulu Waianae, HI GK 5-5 Fr.
1 Caroline Demague Junction City MF 5-5 So.
2 Ajah Valdez Waianae, HI MF 5-1 Fr.
3 Amanda Larson Waianae, HI D 5-5 Fr.
4 Crystal Jerome Miami, Fla. MF 5-3 So.
5 Malia Talbert Waianae, HI F 5-4 Fr.
8 Danielle Wilber Kansas City, Mo. MF/F 5-5 Fr.
9 Susie Jimenez Manhattan F 5-2 Fr.
10 Sarah Seymour Ottawa D 5-5 So.
11 Kelsey Estep Manhattan MF/F 5-4 Fr.
12 Sylvan Barnes Topeka F 5-4 Fr.
13 Autumn Ferrell Mannford, Okla. D 5-2 Fr.
14 Kayla Besmer Leavenworth F/GK 5-5 So.
15 Jenna Wells Mill Valley D 5-5 So.
16 SaHayla Griggs Moran MF/D 5-9 Fr.
17 Katie King Kansas City, Mo. F 5-10 So.
18 Marissa Manzo Kansas City, Mo. MF/F 5-5 Fr.
19 Aria Huguenin Pittsburg MF 5-4 So.
Head coach: Doug Desmarteau
Assistant coaches: Chas Frisco, Jordan Knowles
Allen County Community College
2011 Women’s Soccer Schedule
Aug. 24 — McPherson, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 — Merimac, St. Louis, 4 p.m.
Aug. 28 — St. Charles CC, St. Louis, 1 p.m.
Aug. 31 — NWTC, 2 p.m.
Sept. 7 — Hesston, 2 p.m.
Sept. 10 — Hutchinson, 3 p.m.
Sept. 13 — Independence, 2 p.m.
Sept. 17 — Pratt, 2 p.m
Sept. 20 — Cowley County, 5 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Johnson County, 2 p.m
Sept. 28 — Butler County, 4 p.m.
Oct. 1 — Neosho County, 5 p.m.
Oct. 5 — Cloud County, 2 p.m
Oct. 8 — Garden City, 5 p.m.
Oct. 9 — Dodge City, 2 p.m.
Oct. 12 — Barton County, 2 p.m.
Oct. 15 — Coffeyville, 2 p.m.
Oct. 18 — Northern Oklahoma, 2 p.m
Oct. 20 — Northeastern Oklahoma, 2 p.m.
Oct. 24-29 — Region VI playoffs
