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Soccer coaching smarts step in at Spring Lake Park/St. Anthony Village

By David La Vaque, Star Tribune, 08/27/13, 8:50PM CDT

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The Spring Lake Park/St. Anthony Village boys’ soccer program lost 10 starters from last season and welcomes a new coaching staff. While the players must prove themselves, the coaches are proven.

Coach Ryan Manning spent the past three years as an assistant coach for the White Bear Lake boys’ soccer team. Before that, he served as an assistant coach with the Stillwater girls’ soccer team.

His wife, Jennifer Manning (McElmury) is an assistant coach. A three-time All-America with the Gophers women’s soccer team, she was inducted into the University of Minnesota Hall of Fame. She coached Stillwater’s girls’ program for eight years until suffering a stroke in 2008.

Andy Lorei (junior varsity coach) and Peter McKeown (B-squad) played professional soccer locally with the Minnesota Stars and United FC. Also assisting will be Matt St. Martin, Spring Lake Park’s activities director and a former Division I college soccer player.

“We could not have asked for a better staff,” Manning said. “With the team being as young as it is, we expect to have some struggles mixed in with our successes as the players mature throughout the season and get comfortable with the high school level. That being said, we have a lot to look forward to in the future with some very talented freshmen and sophomores joining the program.”

 

North newsmakers

Mounds View senior Summer Brills returns to defend her Class 2A singles title in tennis. … Champlin Park welcomes 5-10 freshman setter Sydney Hiller, who coach John Yunker said is “considered one of the top setters in the country in her age group and one of the top-2 to top-4 in the state without every playing a varsity rally. … The Totino-Grace girls’ swimming and diving program set seven school records last season. Returning swimmers Josie Sticha holds three and Marissa Stacy holds two. … Irondale girls’ soccer welcomes Samantha Donovan, a high-scoring forward in hockey, to the field this fall.

Pumpkin Bowl set

One of the metro area’s longest running traditions — the 66th annual Pumpkin Bowl — pits host Anoka against Blaine at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16 at Goodrich Field.

The game started in 1948 to create additional pageantry for the “Halloween Capital of the World.” The winner claims bragging rights and possession of a traveling trophy.

 

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574