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Co-champs South, North head all-stars By Kevin Goff Success wasn�t supposed to be in the cards this season for the youthful North Medford girls soccer team. The Black Tornado, picked by some to finish as low as sixth in the Southern Oregon Conference, capped off its SOC-title-sharing season with three members earning first team all-conference honors. South Medford, which was on the other end of the tie with North, also placed three on the first team. North�s Dick Darcy was named coach of the year, and Klamath Union senior Sam Gilbert earned player-of-the-year accolades. "I expected them to do well," said Darcy of his players. "Every year we set goals, and winning the league title is one of them. Although this year that may have seemed unrealistic because of how young we are, it (SOC title) was still something we were shooting for. "It�s (coach of the year) a direct result of what the kids did this year." Junior midfielder McKenzie Weiler was a co-captain for North and, according to Darcy, set the work standards for her teammates, earning first-team honors in the process. "McKenzie is a very skilled, very strong player," said Darcy. "She�s certainly a Division I-caliber of player, and I�m looking forward to having her back." Denali Tice, also a junior, used her speed and aggressiveness to shore up a defender position and joined Weiler on the first team. Sophomore Lisa Munyon took home first-team honors as a midfielder. "Lisa blossomed more than anyone on the team," said Darcy. "She did a fantastic job in her role." South Medford senior defender Kathleen Narus and senior midfielder Emily Perttu both were named to the first team, as was junior forward Colleen Salisbury. Narus was a captain for South Medford and was voted MVP of her team. "Kathleen�s one of the most skilled players I have seen," said South coach Buzz Thielemann. "She was in charge of all the set plays, and was just dynamite for us." Salisbury led South with 15 goals, and Perttu chipped in seven. Ashland seniors Jessica Bullen (midfielder) and Jennifer Spears (defender) also earned first-team honors, while Alicia Pilcher (goalie) and Jeanelle Thompson (defender) represented Grants Pass. Senior forward Sara Schaaf joined Gilbert on the first team for the Pelicans. Roseburg placed three to the first squad in seniors Erin Goodell and Rachel Stribling and junior Morgan Downie. Junior Julia Clark was the lone second-teamer for North Medford, while South senior Noelle Reed and juniors Lindsey Hawk and Erin Reno made the second team. Reno was second on the Panthers with 13 goals, while Hawk tallied seven on the season. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.