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North Reading Girls Soccer Preview

2006 record: 10-6-4, lost in Division 3 North quarterfinals

Returning starters (9): Alexis Cappozi, Sr., forward; Shannon Conway, Sr., midfield/defense; Ashley Kern, Jr., midfield; Claire Kuehnel, Sr., defense; Alex Moise, Soph., defense; Christine O'Leary, Sr., midfield; Lauren Pawlowski, Soph., forward; Marie Pescatore, Sr., midfield; Amanda Poplaski, Sr., defense

Returning lettermen: Laura Bellino, Jr., midfield/defense; Brittni Coppola, Jr., defense; Amber Hodgkins, Jr., forward; Alessandra LeFort, Jr., midfield; Jill Melanson, Soph., forward/midfield; Kate Walsh, Jr., midfield

Newcomers: Brittany Angiolillo, Frosh., forward/midfield; Mary Batalis, Soph., midfield/defense; Erin Brooks, Frosh., goalkeeper; Jaci DiMare, Sr., forward; Erica Riccardi, Sr., forward; Sarah Schipelliti, Sr., midfield; Jen Shields, Soph., goalkeeper

Candidates in all grades: 52

Captains: Claire Kuehnel, Marie Pescatore, Amanda Poplaski

Returning leaders: None

Returning honorees: None

Assistants: Karla Sullivan, varsity assistant; Katelyn Carrette, JV

Opener: Sept. 10, hosts Hamilton-Wenham, 5 p.m.

Odds and ends: Ann Brophy, who also is an assistant girls basketball coach and head girls lacrosse coach at North Reading, is the new girls soccer coach. She takes over for Sean Killeen, who stepped down due to time constraints related to his principal's job. Killeen went 104-42-20 in eight years as head coach. ... The injury bug has hit the Hornets as goalie candidate Jen Shields (broken ankle suffered in first scrimmage), forward Lauren Pawlowski (hip flexor tendinitis) and defender Amanda Poplaski (softball ankle injury that she played through) will miss early action.

Coach Ann Brophy (1st year): "We play a very quick style. Our speed up top is one of our strengths. Jen Shields was probably a contender for goalie before her injury but freshman Erin Brooks played goal in youth soccer, has a great attitude and is confident. We're lucky to have her. It's good to have Claire Kuehnel back from an ACL tear to strengthen the defense."