Trinity, Bell girls soccer teams gear up for gauntlet of district

The Trinity Lady Trojans have been to the soccer playoffs five straight seasons and 10 of the past 11.

And though they slipped in as the fourth team from District 7-6A a year ago, that was quite the achievement, given who they share the league with.

Defending state champion Coppell is once again the favorite, while regional finalist Southlake Carroll is right behind. From there, Colleyville Heritage is the likely choice for third, but Trinity coach Kurt Clawson said the race for fourth is wide open.

“This district is hard,” Clawson said. “Who gets fourth is the only real race besides the one between Coppell and Southlake Carroll.”

Five starters return for the Lady Trojans – senior forward and captain Michele Manceaux, junior midfielder Kaycee West, junior defender Hannah Holder, junior midfielder Lauren Loza, and junior goalkeeper Kaylee Knights.

Manceauz and Loza were second-team All-District 7-6A selections last season. Holder was an honorable mention.

Key reserves who might earn a starting spot this season include senior defenders and captains Maura Mangan and Autumn Brocher, Clawson said.

As for players to watch in district, Clawson said to pick anyone from Coppell or Carroll’s starting lineups. Among those at his own school, he lists freshman Belerica Oquendo, who he said plays for the No. 1 club team in her age group in the nation.

“We have more non-lettermen than lettermen this year, so getting good experience in pre-district is key,” Clawson said.

L.D. Bell Lady Raiders

Last season, the Lady Raiders watched while Trinity slipped into the fourth and final playoff berth from District 7-6A.

This season, with six returning starters and 11 other returning lettermen, coach Corey Rolf’s team would like to think it has a shot at returning to the postseason.

Bell was last in the playoffs in 2014, and getting back will again be a challenge, Rolf said, but one his team is ready to take on.

“It’s going to be tough again this year,” he said. “Keys to contending are going to be down to our senior leadership and playing good defense.”

Four of the six returning starters are seniors – goalkeeper Shelby Franco, defender Savannah Trevino, defender Jordan Gilbert, and midfielder Jennifer Nesbitt. They are joined by junior forward Savannah McGill and sophomore midfielder Erin Keohane.

Franco and Nesbitt were first-team all-district last season, while Trevino and McGill earned second-team honors, and Keohane was honorable mention.

Rolf also mentioned goalkeeper Sadie McGill as a key reserve who could see some starting time.

When assessing the district, Rolf, like Clawson, noted that it starts with taking on two of the top programs in the state in Coppell and Southlake Carroll.

“[Colleyville] Heritage and Trinity are always really good. I think Richland is going to be pretty good this year,” he said.

And, when asked to list the top players in the district, just like Clawson, he said, “All of the Southlake and Coppell girls.”

This story was originally published January 4, 2016 at 9:04 AM with the headline "Trinity, Bell girls soccer teams gear up for gauntlet of district."