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Adapted soccer's aspiring champs

By DAVID La VAQUE, Star Tribune, 11/15/11, 3:53PM CST

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The adapted soccer state tournament is Friday and Saturday at Stillwater High School.


Anoka-Hennepin goalie Jeff Shogren, left made a save of a shot- by Minneapolis Edison's Joseph Kollie, right, in a recent match in the adapted soccer state tournament cognitively impaired division.

The adapted soccer state tournament takes place Friday and Saturday at Stillwater High School. Here is an inside look at two teams from the cognitively impaired (CI) and physically impaired (PI) divisions that enter the tournament with unbeaten records and championship aspirations.

PI DIVISION

SOUTH SUBURBAN FLYERS (7-0-1)

Players to watch: The Flyers, consisting of athletes from Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina and Richfield, are led by four players with similar scoring prowess: Karen Kreidler, Alexei Dickenson, Andrew Mortinson and Dequan Williams. The Flyers' stingy defense allows 2.5 goals per game thanks to the efforts of goalkeeper Nick Nieson, defenders Dan Schmitz and Chris Reichel and tenacious midfielder Jessi Bean.

Did you know? The Flyers won the consolation title in 2007 and 2009, took third place in 2008 and lost in the consolation championship game last year.

ROBBINSDALE/HOPKINS/ MOUND-WESTONKA ROBINS (7-0-1)

Players to watch: Junior goalkeeper Charlie Wittmer (.929 saves percentage and 1.71 goals-against average) served as the linchpin of a tough defense. Offensively, the three-time defending state champions lack their typical scoring punch. The Robins tallied 69 goals this season after averaging about 115 the past four seasons. Two players scored at least 30 goals last season. This fall, three players broke the 10-goal mark: seventh-grader Chaun Johnson (12), junior Mike Madson and sophomore Joe Dubisar (10 each).

"Our team became very used to running out to a big lead early, and then coasting home in previous years," coach Marcus Onsum wrote in an e-mail. "But this year, they had to fight through almost every minute of every game."

Did you know? The Robins count 12 players who are sophomores or younger out of 18 players overall. Losing several experienced players to graduation forced Onsum to simply his approach to teaching the game.

CI DIVISION

CHANHASSEN/CHASKA/PRIOR LAKE/SHAKOPEE SOUTHERN STARS (9-0)

Players to watch: Leading scorer Josh Haller pumped 25 goals into the offense during the regular season. Nick Bratrud added 21 and Aaron Brennan chipped in 11. Goaltender Dylan Drapp allowed just 15 goals in nine games.

Did you know? The Stars never have won a state tournament quarterfinal game. They have suffered one-goal losses in each of the past two tournaments.

ANOKA-HENNEPIN MUSTANGS (9-0)

Players to watch: The defending champion Mustangs boast Tyler Kurkowski and Zach Theroux, two of the most dynamic athletes in all of adapted sports. Kurkowski led the team with 18 goals, followed by Theroux (15). But the Mustangs enjoy contributions from other players. Solidifying the forward positions are veterans Dillon Domeier and Joe VonMende and newcomers Rodney Crawford and Cole Denny. The defense is anchored by Patrick Lawrence and goalkeeper Jeff Shogren.

Did you know? The Mustangs wear No. 16 on their jersey sleeves in memory of former teammate Lacie Bickford, who died unexpectedly last summer. "She was well-liked by everyone and definitely lit up the room when she was around," coach Ted Johnson wrote in an e-mail.

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574