By Eric Frantz for the Dayton Daily New

TIPP CITY | It's hard to believe that after scoring 55 goals in two years and being named first team Division II All-Ohio as a sophomore, Tippecanoe junior Lauren Sharpe has much to prove.

Leading Tippecanoe in a jump from D-II to D-I this season, Sharpe and the Red Devils are aiming for their third straight district title. Reaching the round of 16 in D-I won't be easy.

"It's going to be tough, and it will definitely test us," Sharpe said, "but no one expects us to do anything, so we have something to prove."

Over the past two years, Tipp and Sharpe have proved their worth.

The Red Devils have been the area's hottest D-II team, going 33-7-2. Last season Tipp made the regional final before losing to state runner-up Indian Hill. In the regional semis the Red Devils beat traditional power Alter (2-1) for the first time in history. Tipp reached the D-II state semis in 2001.

Sharpe, who tallied 25 goals and 10 assists as a freshman, had 30 and 15, respectively, last year en route to D-II area player of the year honors. A standout basketball player as well, Sharpe spent her summer bouncing back and forth between AAU basketball (Dayton Lady HoopStars) and select soccer (Starfire Premiere). Her select soccer team, made up of mostly players from Beavercreek, Carroll, Centerville and Wayne, allowed Sharpe the chance to rub elbows with D-I opponents. Her message?

"I told them to watch out," Sharpe said.

In addition to Sharpe, Tipp returns a solid nucleus in senior defender Stacey Barnhart, junior goalie Rachel Galemmo and sophomore goalie Jessica Pierre. Tipp coach Doug Rabe is also excited by the return of junior sweeper Courtney Brown who missed last year with an ACL injury. The loss of eight seniors, including seven starters, is a hurdle.

"We pretty much just need to work as a team more," Rabe said. "Last year we counted on individual strengths and this year we need to rely on the team. We have experience back at three key areas, but how we do in the district tournament and beyond depends on how we pool our experience."

A lot will depend on Sharpe, too.

"I don't want to say she can score at will, but she can score on her own," Rabe said. "What really stood out last year was her increased ability to assist. When she's distributing the ball like she did last year our team gets even better."

"I'd like to have a decent amount of assists this year so I don't look like a ballhog," Sharpe said. "I don't have a certain number of goals I'm looking for, because the biggest key is getting the win. I don't care who scores and how, just as long as someone does and we win."

Tipp opens the regular season Monday at Northmont.

Take notice

One team poised to have a breakout season is Xenia. The Buccaneers are 27-6-4 the last two years and finished third in the final D-I area coaches poll last season. The Bucs return a deep and experienced group led by five players who earned GWOC East honors last year.

The glaring hurdle for Xenia is getting off to a good start. Two years ago the Bucs were 1-2-3 after six games and last season dropped their first two. Xenia does have a knack for finishing with a flurry though. In 2003 the Bucs won 14 straight en route to the D-I regional semifinals and last season went 13-1-2 in their final 15 games. Xenia lost to state semifinalist Beavercreek in the district semis last season 1-0.

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