Tribune Article by Erlendsson 11-15-99

11/15/99 -- 7:03 PM

Berkeley striker's goals aren't personal

ERIK ERLENDSSON Tampa Tribune correspondent

TAMPA - Alyssa Riess could become one of Hillsborough County's most prolific scorers, but the team comes first.

Don't let the blonde hair and braces fool you, Alyssa Riess will strike fear into your heart.

Just ask players at Orangewood Maitland Christian, who triple-teamed her in last year's region semifinal. Or players for Academy of the Holy Names, who were victimized by Riess five times in the district semifinal.

Or the countless number of defenders who have been burned by Riess 35 times in a year plus five games.

Now fear this - Riess has not begun her sophomore season.

``Her potential is unlimited,'' Berkeley Prep coach Ken Roberts said. ``I have been told by a number of people that college is not going to be her final steppingstone in her career if she maintains her work ethic and stays on top of her game. We have not seen how complete of a player she can be.''

Riess was called up to Berkeley's varsity team as an eighth-grader late in the season and helped lead the Buccaneers to an improbable district title. Coming off back-to-back final four appearances, Berkeley had only two wins before the district tournament. Riess was the player that made a difference as she scored three goals in the two district games. After losing a lot of close games, Roberts found a source of offense.

``We felt all year long that we were one player away from giving us some stability as a team,'' he said. ``With her presence, she made us better as a team.

``I didn't think she would have that much of an impact so early.''

After playing just one game at the middle school division - she was out with a knee injury - Riess wasn't even supposed to start. She scored a goal in her first game and hasn't looked back since.

As a freshman she established herself as one of the top players in the county with 30 goals. By graduation, she may be one of the best players ever from this area.

But don't expect her to talk about the possibility of attaining any kind of county records; she said she would rather see her assist total rise instead of her goals.

``I don't think about whose records I can break or this or that,'' she said. ``I just want to see my skill level rise and I want to see my team succeed, to me that is more important than breaking any kind of records.

``Establishing a scoring record, that's not my goal and I won't be disappointed if I don't make that mark.''

Roberts said Riess could reach some of those lofty records if she played the entire game against every opponent.

``If we let her loose every game, she could probably reach some of those marks,'' he said, ``but if she doesn't then it is because of coaching, not because of her.''

Roberts said it is heart, desire and inner drive that makes Riess such a scoring threat. A tenacious attitude is displayed every time she steps on the field.

Chart
Hillsborough County players to watch

Boys

Name School Pos Yr Comment

Dustin Beach Sickles Fwd Sr. Led county with 63 points last year

Brandon Streicher Sickles MF Sr. 16 gls, 16 asst, good vision

Drew Emery Bloomingdale D Sr. 3-year starter for tradition-rich Jared Rose Gaither MF/F So. Stong year for 6A semifinalist

Peter Young Chamberlain GK Jr. When healthy one of best around

Rob Daly Jesuit Fwd Sr. 2-time All-State, 129 career points

Jamin Hollingsworth Durant Fwd Sr. Led county with 28 goals last year Blake Dickenson Durant GK Sr. All-Tribune as a junior

Dean Arnaoutakis Berkeley Prep GK Jr. Quick reflexes and team leader

Gerard Palacios Berkeley Prep Fwd Sr. Prolific scoring threat for Bucs Girls

Player School Pos Yr. Comment

Janessa Taddei Plant MF Jr. One of top scoring threats in county

Sasha Barnes Plant D Sr. Solid sweeper for experienced team

Kellie Evans Durant MF Sr. Two-time county scoring leader

Pam Matthues Durant MF Sr. Play-maker who can also score

Stephanie Fowler Brandon GK Jr. Could be top keeper in county

Kelly Owen King MF Jr. Play-maker, 47 asst in 2 years

Juliesse Maya Tampa Catholic MF Jr. 12 goals for 3A semifinalist

Jessica Kmiotek Gaither MF Sr. 23 gls, 26 asst for region finalist

Michelle Kmiotek Gaither GK So. 20 shutouts, ODP player

Tara Escribano Bloomingdale MF Jr. Speed, skill make her top threat