European girls soccer roundup

Defending champions all reach finals

All three defending girls champions will get a chance to win those crowns again Thursday, when the Divisions I, II and III girls title games are scheduled to be played at Ramstein high school.

D-II European soccer

Vicenza upends Hohenfels in pool play

The Vicenza Cougars got the 2012 DODDS European Soccer Championships Division II play started with a bang Monday by toppling the top-seeded Hohenfels Tigers 3-2 on a pair of goals in the game’s final two minutes.

Boys European soccer preview

Champs will have tough time winning again

The defending Division I, II and III boys’ high school soccer champions are in peril of one-and-done seasons in the throne-room, based on seeds for the three events released Wednesday.

Girls soccer

Naples takes title; AFNORTH clinches share

With a week to go in the regular season, the Naples girls wrapped up a regional soccer title, and the AFNORTH girls clinched at least a tie for one with Saturday victories. Naples claimed Region IV with a 5-0 blanking of visiting International School of Florence to improve to an uncatchable 6-0, and AFNORTH improved to 1-0-1 against Region I big schools by downing International School of Brussels 2-1.

Loney, Owens head All-Europe selections

Two-time Stars and Stripes players of the year Janelle Loney and Tre’von Owens headline the All-Europe boys’ and girls’ basketball teams selected in late March by panels of coaches chaired by DODDS-Europe athletic coordinator Karen Seadore.

Boys soccer preview

New stars will emerge in wide-open field

If you find change unsettling, you might want to skip the boys’ 2012 high-school soccer season which kicks off Saturday at nine venues across Europe. Continuity’s going to be in short supply.

Girls soccer preview

Defending champions will be tough to beat again

Any team wishing to mount a challenge to the three defending European girls’ soccer champions would be well-advised to bring their A-games, beginning with Saturday’s season-openers.

Boys basketball roundup

Vilseck hands Panthers first defeat

Defense made the difference Saturday as the Vilseck Falcons toppled the Patch Panthers from the ranks of the unbeaten.