Having advanced to the City Section finals for the first time in school history last season, the goal for the Palisades High girls’ varsity soccer team this year is simple: get back to the championship game and win it. Of course, that’s easier said than done for a squad that lost five key seniors to graduation. Still, the Dolphins do have top scorer Lucy Miller back and she knows providing senior leadership will be just as vital to the Dolphins’ success as the balls she puts in the back of the net. “It’s definitely a different feeling this year,” said Miller, an All-City selection in each of her first three seasons. “We’re a younger team and it’s going to be a lot harder without some of the players we lost but I’d like to think [getting back to the finals] is realistic.” Miller was in top form in the Dolphins’ home opener on Monday, scoring her first goal of the season with 10 minutes remaining as Palisades salvaged a 1-1 tie against Marymount. When the Sailors failed to clear a free kick by junior defender Sarah McNees out of their penalty area, Miller controlled the bouncing ball, deked a defender, and beat goalie Vivian Sitzel one-on-one. “Lucy’s a good player,” said Sailors’ forward Daryn Towle, who gave Marymount the lead with a goal 15 minutes into the game. “I used to play club with her on the Westside Breakers. We have a lot of respect for Pali. They’re definitely better than half the teams in our league.” Palisadian Jane Alt was the only senior the Sailors brought with them. All the rest were enjoying senior day at Disneyland. Still, Marymount controlled play for most of the first half and it took several point-blank saves by Palisades goalie Allison Kappeyne to keep the Dolphins close. Kim Smith, now in her third season as Palisades’ head coach, has a talented team to work with, but also one with far less experience. Senior Danielle Rochlin and sophomore Evanne Gordon will try to fill the cleats of All-City midfielders Alex Michael and Post Cup winner Diana Grubb, both of whom graduated along with Jennifer Wong and captains Tia Lebherz and Kirsten Schluter. “I knew beating Marymount was going to be a challenge,” said Miller, whose new club team, South Bay Force, finished first in the Silver Elite Division. “They are always a strong team. I think we did surprisingly well.” Palisades (0-0-2), which battled Santa Monica to a scoreless tie in its first game last week, stepped up the pressure in the second half against Marymount. Sophomore Kelly Mickel hit the goal post in the 55th minute and freshman Laura Goldsmith’s long shot into the goalmouth was headed away by Sailors’ sweeper Maria Grosso seven minutes later. “This could be one of my strongest teams,” said Marymount coach Tony Green, who led the Sailors to the Sunshine League title and the quarterfinals of the CIF Division V playoffs last season. “This is a good rivalry because most of the girls have played with or against each other before.” Pali sophomores Jazmyn Anderson and Evanne Gordon will contribute at midfield and forward while Sara Newman and Teal Foster return as strikers with Miller. Palisades meets the host school in the first round of the Crossroads Tournament Friday at 3 p.m. and plays Village Christian in the second round Saturday at 4 p.m. The Dolphins host Chatsworth next Tuesday and the Crossroads Tournament resumes with the first of two games Saturday, December 10, beginning at 2 p.m.
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