Division I

Kadena Panthers2017 season record — 19-3, third at Far East Division I Tournament.Coach — Abe Summers, fifth season.Key performers — Pam Barrett, Sr., MF (12 goals, team-leading 18 assists); Korina Macato, Jr., GK-MF (11 goals); Adrianna Gomez, Sr., MF (Japanese club ball last year; 23 goals, 9 assists as a sophomore); Phoebe Bills, Sr., MF (10 goals); Isabel Tayag, Sr., def.; Sakura Wilson, Jr., GK.Outlook — Contending. A team of underclassmen with plenty of potential a year ago surpassed all expectations and is clearly in the running for Far East D-I honors. Many seniors dot the lineup.

Nile C. Kinnick Red Devils2017 season record — 14-6-3, Far East D-I Tournament champion.Coach — Nicolas Hindie, 15th season.Key performers — Allee Vincent, Sr., GK; Ella Eisenhardt, Jr., MF (17 goals, 8 assists); Annalicia Santos, Sr., def.; Riassa Guenther, Sr., MF-def.; Juleesa Taylor, Sr., MF-F; Cassie Medel, Jr., MF-F; Maryana Castro, So., def.; Jenna Lynch, So., MF; Emily Zeller, So., MF; Margaret Donnelly, Fr., MF-F.Outlook — Contending once more, only this time defending a school-first Far East D-I title. Fewest numbers ever to try out for a Hindie-coached team, many players lost to graduation and PCS, but a strong core remains. Replacing Far East MVP Kiralyn Kawachi and her career 91 goals and 54 assists will be the biggest chore.

Kubasaki Dragons2017 season record — 6-6-1, fifth at Far East D-I Tournament.Coach — Lizet Mandriota, first season.Key performers — Lexi Klimek, Sr., GK; Tasher Odom, Sr., def.; Jenna Smith, Sr., MF; Brooke Davis, Sr., F; Hanna Ervasti, Sr.; Audrey Kerr, So.Outlook — Rebuilding, trying to get past the nightmare of the 2017 season that saw the Dragons finish last at D-I and lose goalkeeper Klimek with a facial injury that required surgery. Under Mandriota, the team’s sixth coach in four seasons, the Dragons possess a much more “fresh, optimistic outlook.”

Seoul American Falcons2017 season record — 13-8-1, fifth at Far East Division I.Coach — Jonathan Brooks, second season (assisted last season).Key performers — Ashley Clifton, Jr., MF (returns to Seoul after playing sophomore year at Daegu); Fabiola Nigaglioni, Sr., def./MF; Lizzy Schuck, Fr., MF; Sabrina Kim, Jr., MF; MacKenzie Barden, Fr., GK.Outlook — Rebuilding. Seoul American’s shrinking numbers due to the transformation to Humphreys leaves the Falcons with the fewest numbers they’ve had trying out. Many players new to the game. Brooks is thrilled to have Clifton back; losing top scoring option Natalie Cargill (58 goals last two years) to transfer will hurt.

Division II

Daegu Warriors2017 season record — 3-11-1.Coach — Kevin Anglim, first season (transferred from Vilseck, Germany).Key performers — Natalie Garrido, Jr., F; Mary Sarantakes, Jr., MF; Neena Ibit, Sr., GK; Yasmin Guilfoyle, Jr., MF; Avery Schimpf, Jr; Chloe Pence, Jr.; Abel Trevino, Fr.Outlook — Rebuilding. Pretty much a new team with small numbers; only 15 tried out. Losing Ashley Clifton, who returned to Seoul American, will hurt in the middle.

Robert D. Edgren Eagles2017 season record — 4-17-2.Coach — Justin Edmonds, fifth season (took last three seasons off).Key performers — Taina Marsh, So.; Ariel Moncrief, Fr.; Amber Eldridge, Sr.; Abigail Gomez, Sr.Outlook — Rebuilding. Hampered, as always, by Misawa Air Base’s lengthy winters and limited outdoor practice until April. The last time Edmonds coached, the Eagles won the Far East D-II Tournament, but four years have passed since.

Humphreys Blackhawks2017 season record — 1-12-2.Coach — Spencer Walton, first season.Key performers — Elayna Snyder, Sr., GK; Abbie Chipps, Jr., stopper, GK; Mia Heckenlaible, So., MF; Pauline Coronel, So., def.; Elizabeth Puskas, Sr., F.Outlook — Still experiencing growing pains, in its fifth season as a program. Smaller numbers out for soccer this year, but the overall student pool is growing thanks to the transformation from Seoul American. Walton also comes from Seoul American and becomes the team’s fourth coach in five seasons. At the very least, the Blackhawks are strong in the back with all-league and All-Far East D-II goalkeeper Snyder, who’s been playing the game since she could walk.

E.J. King Cobras2017 season record — 11-10-5.Coach — Kylee Venetsanakos, third season (assisted by Yvonne Long).Key performers — Aisha Rogers, Sr., F; Natalie Shultz, Sr., def.; Gabi Shultz, So., MF (team-record 18 goals, 5 assists).Outlook — Reloading-contending. Cobras are coming off their sixth and most successful season, improving by nine wins for a school-record 11. The sisters Shultz return, along with the firepower of Rogers up front. A championship, be it DODEA-Japan or D-II, is just a matter of time now.

Osan Cougars2017 season record — 13-3-2, fourth at Far East D-II tournament.Coach — Sung Plourde, 17th season.Key performers — Elizabeth White, Jr., F-GK (11 goals); Maja Inthavixay, Jr., F; Jana Rafi, Sr., MF (8 goals); Ana Rasch, Sr., MF-F; Kelly Kenyon, So., MF-def.; Cecilia Weaver, Fr., MF (transferred from Florida); Vinnie Wengert, Fr., def. (transferred from Las Vegas); Mikayla Guilory, Fr., def.Outlook — Rebuilding. After a season in which the Cougars made school history by winning both the Korea Blue regular-season and tournament titles in the same season, they’re starting over, with nine freshmen on the roster. White, Inthavixay and Rafi bring plenty of experience back to the pitch, but this is a young team.

Matthew C. Perry Samurai2017 season record — 18-2-2, Far East Division II.Coach — George “Tige” Tarleton, third season.Key performers — Micayla Feltner, Jr., F (transferred from Naples, Italy); Keyda Feltner, So., def. (transferred from Naples); Hazel Bolduc, Jr., MF (9 goals); Maddie Swieczkowski, So., MF (6 goals); Sarah Saiki, Jr., def.; Taniya Smith, So., MF (15 goals).Outlook — Contending. Starting keeper Angel Cadavos will miss the season after ACL surgery. Good thing the transfer transport was good to the Samurai, bringing from Naples the Feltner sisters. They and some holdovers from the title team could ensure the Samurai will keep competing and contending.

Yokota Panthers2017 season record — 13-11-1.Coach — Matt Whipple, 13th season.Key performers — Regina Dukat, Sr., MF (13 goals, 5 assists; 58 goals in three seasons; two times All-Far East); Jamia Bailey, Sr., F (22 goals; 56 in three seasons; two times All-Far East); Ai Robbins, Sr., F (10 goals, 10 assists; 27 goals in three seasons); Kendall Boone, Sr., def.; Hana Peterson, Sr., def.; Emily Taynton, So., GK; Caleigh Garcia, Jr., F.Outlook — Contending. After something of a down year for the Panthers, plus the graduation of most of his defense, Whipple brings back his entire three high-scoring seniors, known as his “strike force.” Taynton returns in net, while plenty of underclassmen not new to the game fill out the roster.

Zama Trojans2017 season record — 15-6-2, third in Far East Tournament.Coach — Manuel Duarte, fifth season.Key performers — Siobhan Grabski, Jr., MF. (13 goals, 16 assists); Kayesha McNeill, So., F.Outlook — Rebuilding. The transfer-graduation transport has not been kind to the Trojans the past couple of years. Grabski will serve as the primary playmaker; McNeill is showing promise as a finisher. But replacing Amanda Stephens’ 40 goals and the playmaking of senior Rachel Norton (15 goals, 6 assists), who’s not playing this season, will be tough.

Migrated