Balanced Bucs Aiming For Final Four

Posted Feb 4, 2009 by Nick Murray

Updated Feb 4, 2009 at 05:46 PM

When comparing this season’s squad to the one that reached the state final four in 2005, Berkeley girls soccer coach Ken Roberts says there are a lot of similarities. The difference, however, is this season’s team has greater balance.

The team’s statistics bear him out.

While Taylor Richardson has 27 goals for the Buccaneers, three other players, Whitney Hang, Samanthan Newhaller and Taylor Batye have reached double-figures this season.

“We have a lot of different players who have a lot of goals,” Richardson said. “It’s not like we’re relying on one player to come out and play well, we have a bunch of people that can always come out and play their best.”

Back in 2005, the Bucs relied on standout Chelsea Hatcher to provide their scoring punch up front. They also had a standout goalkeeper in Callie Raymond. That role for this year’s team is being filled by Bryane Heaberlin, a U.S. Under-15 team goalkeeper. Richardson says her influence on the team as a freshman has been important.

“She’s unbelievable,” Richardson said. “Everyone has a lot of respect for her. Everyone listens to what she says, and she organizes everyone, and always comes out and plays very well.”

Berkeley travels to play Boca Raton St. Andrew’s on Friday in the region final. Richardson thinks if the Bucs come out the way they have in the past two region games, they can advance to Pepin Stadium.

“It would be nice, it would be really fun, and I think we can do it,” Richardson said. “If we come out and play well on Friday I think we’ll definitely have a shot.”