Hampshire primed for another run at state

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Jeff Knox/jknox@dailyherald.com

Kelly Plichta (23) and her Hampshire girls soccer teammates hope they're holding a state championship trophy at the end of the season.

By definition, a legacy is something handed down, or received from an ancestor or predecessor of the past.

In the Hampshire girls soccer program, legends have been born and legacies live on.

After a trip to the IHSA Class A Final Four last year, the Whip-Purs welcome back 16 athletes looking to honor their legacies with a return trip -- and perhaps a state title -- behind lessons learned from 2005 graduate Amanda Walker, 2006 graduate Amanda Markham and 2007 graduate Joy Van Eck.

While many thought that the Hampshire halls were hallowed when one of the greatest athletes to walk them, Walker, took her final steps off of the soccer field, the Hampshire girls team proved them wrong.

The post-Walker era began with a trip to the Elite Eight behind a 27-goal season from Markham backed by a core freshmen group that had been playing together for years. They lost 2-0 to Columbia in the Class A state quarterfinals.

Last year's campaign concluded with a heartbreaking 2-0 loss to Rochester in the third-place game. ending Hampshire's season with a 15-5-2 overall record.

Those freshmen were a year older, a year wiser and their experience was matched only by senior sweeper Van Eck, who worked as a second goalkeeper and yet another strong team leader.

Their success despite adversity has made believers out of everyone, and this year, those same freshmen now make up a core group of juniors backed by a splash of two seniors, a couple of sophomores and a few freshmen.

The Hampshire plan is to unite as a team and take it to the next level.

Back-to-back sectional titles rewarded by state bids certainly triggers opponents to come to the field fully loaded which makes success both more difficult and much sweeter.

The Whip-Purs come into 2008 gunning for the challenge.

"I try early to address the fact that expectations will be high and that is fine," said Hampshire coach Patrick O'Brien. "It is a privilege really.

"As for the girls expectations, I prefer that we take it day to day rather than to look at the big picture."

For spectators, it's hard not to jump the gun.

After all, Hampshire welcomes back 2007's leading scorers in forward Christine Schumacher (11 goals) and midfielder Kelly Plichta (8 goals, 8 assists) partied with a barrage of other hidden talents.

And remember, they learned from the best.

"Walker was just a tremendous physical talent," said O'Brien. "Markham learned a lot from her, and as freshmen, these girls were able to follow Markham's lead.

"Joy was a vacuum cleaner in the back winning balls 98 percent of the time. These were the three different players and our core players now got to see that balance which has helped them to know their roles on the field today."

On this particular roster, everybody has a role.

Plichta anchors the midfield.

"Walker, Markham and Van Eck were each a tremendous influence on us," Plichta said. "That being said, those of us here now are going to do what we can to take it further.

"It's always going to be difficult to replace those who have graduated, but we have a group here that has been together forever."

While that cohesiveness differs from having one or two outstanding players, it is equally as effective.

"It's two different things entirely having star players as opposed to having a complete team," said O'Brien. "These girls are young but very mature. They have been together so long that they know one another remarkably well both on and off the field.

"As a coach, I then know where and when to push the buttons. I think that having the overwhelming core back and older, we're in great shape."

Plichta is joined in the midfield by senior Devon Murphy, who brought the Whips a state berth last year with a game-winning goal in overtime versus Elgin Academy, Gianina Estocado, Kayla Meyer, Cynthia Brigham, Allison Lattanzio, Kristy Paffinger and Alex Field which is good because she doesn't like to work alone.

"I hope to bring some offense and ball movement," Plichta said. "I'm looking to help the team so I want to get girls the ball whenever and wherever I can. I would also like to motivate all of these girls.

"We're younger this year, but I feel very good about our new girls. They are part of the team now."

Newcomers include basketball standouts and sisters Cassie and Alex Dumoulin as well as freshman Kelsey Anderson. Cassie Dumoulin will play up top, while Alex Dumoulin, Stephanie Toufexis and Anderson will add to an already solid defensive core.

Defenders include senior Lauren Schumacher, goalkeeper Alex Heinrich, Lauren Baliseri, Funmi Makinde, Kelsey Burke, Samantha Anderson and Kendall Kurilla.

"Depth will definitely be key," said O'Brien. "I'm in a really nice situation because I can pull off key players and plug in players very similar in skill.

"Our skill levels are solid across the board and continually improving."

Christine Schumacher will return to the top joined by Cassie Dumoulin and Field, who will alternate between midfield and forward.

It will be a triumphant return for Schumacher, who is coming off of ACL surgery following an injury sustained at state last year.

"It's a little scary because I haven't played a game in so long, but I am excited to get back into things," Schumacher said. "It is just fun to play with this team. We have big goals because every team is going to be after us, but I am looking forward to playing again and being challenged by opponents.

"Walker was a great athlete that we all looked up to, and Markham was excellent. We will definitely miss Joy. She was like a second goalkeeper. We learned a lot from them, but now it is up to us to take it to the next level."

While the next level would mean an appearance in the 2008 Class A state final, there is work to be done, and the Whips refuse to look past that.

"It is one day at a time for us," Schumacher said. "We need to have a great season to set up for the post-season. We cannot just think about state."

O'Brien's coaching mantra, which has brought Hampshire great success remains.

"We are serious yet fun, and we create a family atmosphere here," he said. "I come from a big family and this program has only extended that family. You come out with a different team every year, and you always have to find a new motivation.

"We lost Walker, and went to state. We lost Markham, and placed at state. This team has proven that they are good, and now it is time to be great. That starts with baby steps."

With the entire season ahead of them, the Whip-Purs guarantee 110 percent in every match.

"It is great having state experience," said Plichta. "The question is, can we live up to that? We are confident, and we do hope to take things a step further and win state baby!"