Alleman Pioneers Coach: Randy Bollman (3rd season) 2012: 8-12-1, 1-3-1 Western Big 6; lost to Princeton, 5-0, in Class 1A regional final Season opener: Friday vs. Quincy, 6 p.m. Returning starters: Srs.: Emma Taylor (D), Jessica Tucker (D); Jrs.: Sydney Johnson (D), Maggie Murphy (M), Kevan O'Hanlon (M), Mary Kim Tadda (M); Sophs.: Olivia Gonzalez (M), Ellie Mitton (D), Andria Sierra (F) Other notables: Sr.: Macy Hoskins (GK); Fr.: Megan Erickson (D), Jordan Polito (M/F), Katie Lohse (D), Emily Bollman (M/F) Bollman's view: "We are bringing back a lot of experience from last year while adding several quality players to the mix. We will show improvement again this year during regular season and postseason."
Geneseo Maple Leafs Coach: Ian Kline (5th season) 2012: 19-2-1, 9-1 Northern Illinois Big 12; lost to Morton, 2-1, in Class 2A sectional semifinal Season opener: March 19 vs. Galesburg, 6 p.m. Returning starters: Srs.: Mallory Wirth (M), Danni Manna (M), Kylie Lembke (D), Rachel Morton (F); Jrs.: Heather Setser (M), Kylie Gerhardt (M), Darci Dietrich (GK); Soph.: Abby Wilebski (D) Other notables: Jr.: Kaylie Piekos (M); Soph.: Hannah Pace (F) Kline's view: "Our players are eager to learn and play at their highest level. They will gain experience with the understanding that with each game, they will learn to play as a cohesive group with a high soccer IQ."
Moline Maroons Coach: Rick Sanchez (17th season) 2012: 15-7, 4-1 Big 6; lost to Normal Community, 3-1, in Class 3A regional final Season opener: Saturday at Normal Community, 12:30 p.m. Returning starters: Srs.: Kelsi Smith (F), Aubrey Foulk (M), Rachel McGuire (M), Bri Hughes (M/F), Alison Linden (M/F), Emily Knight (D); Jrs.: Rachel Holt (GK), Tara Wright (GK), Megan Geever (D); Sophs.: Jordin Wilson (D), Amber Maland (M/D), Sarah Hillbloom (F), Kaliah Dothard (D) Other notables: Jrs.: Hannah Navarette (M/F), Cassie Shetler (M); Soph.: Madison Lindbloom (D/M); Fr.: Jamie Althiser (F/M), Katie Stewart (F/M) Sanchez's view: "We feel pretty comfortable with the group we have coming back. We have a pretty good blend of experienced players as well as newcomers that we feel will be contributors this season."
Orion-Sherrard Coach: Rick Cline (8th season) 2012: 14-4-2; lost to Princeton, 7-0, in Class 1A regional semifinal Season opener: Saturday vs. Spring Valley Hall, 2:30 p.m. Returning starters: Srs.: Cassidy Clark (GK), Alex Driscoll (D), Becky Kosek (M/F), Sydney Early (D), Laura Hamilton (M), Malerie West (F/M), Alicia Sierer (F), Katie Garrity (D); Jrs.: Lexy Larson (M), Baillie McCunn (M), Molly Adams (M) Other notables: Jr.: Rachel Newman (M); Sophs.: Sarah Hanson (D/M), Emily Ferry (M), Tara Gambon (M), Madison Goodley (F/M), Isabelle Ausdal (M) Cline's view: "This group has the potential to be very good. This is a real nice group of girls who are really growing in the game, and I'm looking forward to a fun and successful season."
Rock Island Rocks Coach: Conan Dalton (6th season) 2012: 3-14-1, 0-4-1; lost to Dunlap, 3-1, in Class 2A regional semifinal Season opener: March 25 vs. Princeton, 6:30 p.m. Returning starters: Srs.: Maggie Williams (GK); Jrs.: Krissy Francis (D), Abbi Wieland (D), Izzi Wieland (M), Isabel Vallejo (M), Kaylee Lindburg (M) Other notables: Sr.: Taylor Thornton (M); Jrs.: Kaitlyn Young (M), Mackenzie Leatherman (F), Adriana Blanco (D); Fr.: Annika Knudsen (M) Dalton's view: "We're going to be better this year because this is a very hard-working group with great attitudes. They spent a lot of the time in the offseason working at getting better."
United Township Panthers Coach: Phil Weaver (18th season) 2012: 13-10, 3-2 Big 6; lost to Geneseo, 3-0, in Class 2A regional final Season opener: Tuesday at Machesney Park Harlem, 6 p.m. Returning starters: Srs.: Laura Burrill (GK), Mariela Esparza (D), Alora Esparza (M), Katie Johnson (D), Kyleigh McLaughlin (F) Other notables: Srs.: Jessi Tapia (D), Tajia Coleman (F), Miranda Fallon (M); Sophs.: Merriyah Myers (M), Fatima Munos (M) Weaver's view: "I'd like to see us challenge for Western Big 6, regional and sectional championships this season. There's a lot of talent on the squad. How quickly they come together will be the determining factor."
Today is Saturday, May 25, the 145th day of 2013. There are 220 days left in the year. 1863 -- 150 years ago: The annual review of the fire department of this city took placeyesterday and made a fine showing with machines and hose carts in tip-top order. 1888 -- 125 years ago: Last night's prayer meeting at Central Presbyterian Church wascalled off due to water in the basement, residue of last week's flood. 1913 -- 100 years ago: The junior class of Rock Island High School will hold a riverexcursion on the steamer St. Paul next Tuesday. 1938 -- 75 years ago: The 75th Anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal today finds thenation's largest ordinance manufacturing plant filling many important orders for the army. 1963 -- 50 years ago: Miss Patrice Daly, Rock Island, a senior at Rock Island HighSchool, won second place in the recent state public speaking contest held in Peoria underthe auspices of the Knights of Pythias. 1988 -- 25 years ago: Hampton's sesquicentennial committee and the Hampton HistoricalSociety have scheduled a full slate of activities, which will be held throughout the year, to celebrate the village's 150th birthday. The first celebration will be the Memorial Dayprogram at 10 a.m. May 30, at the Brettun and Black Store Museum on River Road. Therewill be a sesquicentennial display.
Strawberry Onion Salad
