Girls soccer capsules
Coach: Tony Kuster
Last year: 17-8, (4-2 in Jefferson County Conference)Returning players: Seniors - Morgan Milfeld (MF/F); Candice Evans (MF); Lisa Drennan (F); Alanna Ott (F); Kayla Hunter (D); Maddie Smith (MF/D); Bree Lewis (GK); Sara Tucker (D); Brandi Walker (MF); juniors - Chastity Pashia (D); Jessica Pope (MF); Shelby Roberts (MF); Cearra Williams (D); sophomores - Miranda Ott (D); Brittani Walker (MF/F);
Newcomers: Seniors - Bridgette Kuster (MF); Kayla Stephan (MF); freshmen - Molly DeClue (F); Katie Maples (D)
Outlook: Despite the loss of Sam Carder, De Soto still is counting on being an offensive power this spring. Last year, all-state and JCC most valuable player Carder seemed a one-player offensive juggernaut. She led the metro area with 42 goals and 105 points, both eye-popping totals. There was more to De Soto's attack, however, than Carder. The Dragons got plenty of production from Morgan Milfeld and Alanna Ott, both returning for their senior seasons. Milfeld finished last season with 18 goals and 17 assisits while Ott chipped in with 17 goals and 16 assists. Adding to the attack is Candice Evans who finished with 14 goals.
"Milfeld, Alanna Ott, Candice Evans and Lisa Drennan - each one of those girls are capable of scoring 20 goals, which will help make up the deficit (of losing Carder)," Dragons Coach Tony Kuster said.
FESTUS TIGERS
Coach: Jason Williams
Last year: 3-16-1, (0-5-1 in Jefferson County Conference)
Returning players: Seniors - Amanda Krus (D); Abby Bequette (F); Stephanie Horrell (MF); Jackie Huffman (D); Rachel Kappler (MF); Erin Moses (D); Kortney Stevenson (MF); juniors - Kaniz Abbas (GK); Michelle Hogenmiller (MF); Brittany Lammert (GK); Michelle Lammert (F); Sarah Wade (F); sophomores - Krysta Bradford (D); Amanda Hahn (D); Rachel Oxenfeld (F)
Newcomers: Senior - Brianne Frey (D); Jessie Ware (D); juniors - Kristi Butler (D); Sidney Hill (F); sophomore - Felicia Juarez (F); freshman - Katie Lanciault (MF)
Outlook: Festus took its lumps in its first season of varsity play, winning only three games. However, with no seniors last year and everyone returning, there's reason for optimism. The Tigers return their two leading scorers - Amanda Krus, who scored 11 goals, and Krysta Bradford, who popped in seven scores - though both will shift to defense as part of Jason Williams's new spread zone defensive scheme.
Williams said the new scheme will hopefully allow the Tigers to steup their offense from their defense. The scheme is also tailored to Kaniz Abbas - a goalkeeper he calls "phenomenal."
"The defensive scheme I've moved to will allow her to play instinctually, the way I think will be successful for her," Williams said.
FOX WARRIORS
Coach: Stacey Johnston
Last year: 10-6-1, (3-4 in Suburban West Conference)
Returning players: Seniors - Amber Hensley (D); Lindsay Krull (MF); juniors - Grace Andress (MF); Chelsea Suter (MF/F); Libby Brengle (GK); Kristin Voege (D); Chelsey Farris (MF/F); Val Dohm (F); Julie Heilich (D/MF)
Newcomers: Sophomore - Stefanie Winkeler; Freshman Jara Olsen (MF)
Outlook: The junior-laden Warriors are led by Grace Andress - who led the team last season with seven goals and 18 points - and Chelsea Suter, who her coach calls, "a great distributor."
Warriors Coach Stacey Johnston hopes last year's experience - in which a large portion of the team were sophomores - will translate to this season.
"That group that we have - most of them have played together for most of their lives - so that's definitely a huge advantage because they're so used to each other," Johnston said.
Injuries have been a problem for the Warriors in early-season workouts. Among others, Andress and Krull have been slowed during the preseason. Johnston said she will take the injuries day-by-day and hopes the players won't have to miss much time.
HILLSBORO HAWKS
Coach: Chris Schacht
Last year: 2-21-1, (0-5-1 in Jefferson County Conference)
Returning players: Seniors - Justine Hohmann (F/MF); Nicole Ludwig (MF); Angela MacKenzie (GK); Missy Leonard (MF/D); Kim Andert (D); Jessica Holloway (MF); Katie Poliette (F); juniors - Grace Bay (MF); Jamie Endebrock (MF); Shelby Kelley (D); Jessica Scott (MF)
Newcomers: Senior - Rebecca Kock (F)
Outlook: After a two-year break following seven years as the girls' varsity soccer coach, Chris Schacht returns to lead the Hawks.
"I missed it a little bit," Schacht said. "I'm not returning for me. Just talking with the girls, they were trying to get me to come back in whatever capacity - not necessarily head coach. The seat came open and I jumped the chance."
The Hawks are led by Justine Hohmann, who was the team's leading scorer last season and has signed to play next fall with St. Ambrose.
Schacht said he's trying to build the Hillsboro program back up, starting with changing the team's approach.
"Hillsboro has never been a powerhouse, but we're trying to get to the point where we can compete with anyone on our schedule," Schacht said.
NORTHWEST LIONS
Coach: Stacey Gottman
Last year: 7-14-1, (1-8 in Suburban West Conference)
Returning players: Seniors - Stasha Siers (F); Amy Rives (F); Katie Jolliff (GK); Lauren Lakin (F); Brandi Roskowske (MF); Amy Lippmann (F); juniors - Hannah Wittrock (F); Kelly Kline (D); Michelle Fandl (MF); Jamie Cooley (D); Ashley Brown (D); sophomore - Andrea Enloe (D)
Newcomers: Senior - Shaina Smith (D); freshmen - Lauren Enloe (MF); Kayla Fortner (D); Sam Mayer (MF)
Outlook: With a new coach and one of the area's best players returning, the Lions hope to improve on last year's seven-win season.
Stacey Gottman is "very excited" to take over as coach for the Lions after formerly coaching track at Northwest and acting as an assistant varsity soccer coach at Pattonville. The key for Northwest is Stasha Siers, the top goal scorer in the Suburban West each of the last two seasons. Gottman said her senior captains - Siers, Katie Jolliff and Amy Rives - will all play a big role, not only with the talent they bring to the table, but with motivating the team and creating team unity.
"That's going to play a big part this season," the Lions coach said, referring to the team unity. "Everyone gets along very well and everyone motivates each other."
SECKMAN JAGUARS
Coach: Cheri Nahlik
Last year: 10-7-2, (2-4-1 in Suburban South Conference)
Returning players: Seniors - Brittni Henderson (GK); Andi Llewellyn (MF); Kristin McLean (MF); juniors - Katie McKenzie (F); Megan Nash (MF); Hannah Paradise (MF); Danielle Thomas (F/MF); Joni Weigers (D/GK)
Newcomers: Senior - Jessie Larkin (D); juniors - Alli Erickson (MF); Samm Larkin (D); Katie Rayburn (D); Chelsea Skaggs (F); sophomores - Courtney Keim (MF); Marissa Lehnig - (MF); freshmen - Cadney McDonald (D); Jessica Maledy (F)
Outlook: The Jaguars return most of their roster from last season including their top three leading scorers - Andi Llewellyn, Danielle Thomas and Megan Nash. Injuries, however, have slowed the Jaguars in the preseason. Hannah Paradise, who would have been a starter at midfield, broke her hand last week at a school event and will miss 3-6 weeks. Nahlik hopes that the Jaguars will be able to overcome the loss of a key player.
"I would say we'll be similar to better than what we did last year," Coach Cheri Nahlik said. "We have a lot of returning players and we have a lot of younger talent that's come into the program. We're looking forward to a good season."
ST. PIUS X LANCERS
Coach: Dan Bokern
Last year: 8-13-1, (4-2 in Jefferson County Conference)
Returning players: Seniors - Megan Burke (MF); Ashley Becker (D); Alex Mooney (MF); Jennifer Brotherton (F); Corinne Knobbe (MF); Cayla Alsbach (D); juniors - Carrie Stone (F); Kelsey Kneff (MF); sophomore - Taylor Russell (GK)
Newcomers: Juniors - Becca Staely (MF); Andrea Kountzman (MF); Morgan Smith (D); freshmen - Kortney Luaders (F); Zoey Norrenbems (D); Emily Bax (MF); Gabby Regan (D); Melissa Collins (D)
Outlook: After a long run of success, St. Pius hit a bump last spring, finishing with a below .500 record. Offense has been a St. Pius strong suite for years, and that should be the case again this spring with the return of Carrie Stone. Stone scored 14 goals last year and has been one of the top offensive players in the JCC since stepping into the lineup as a freshman.
St. Pius will count on a burst of energy - and talent - from a strong class of freshmen. With five freshmen already ticketed for varsity playing time, the future looks bright for the Lancers. St. Pius Coach Dan Bokern understands that this year's team is young, but he hopes they'll come together this season.
"We have a strong freshman class coming in that will help both teams," he said. "But we'll have to see what everybody else has, too."
WINDSOR OWLS
Coach: Mike Hutchison
Last year: 10-11, (2-4 in Jefferson County Conference)
Returning players: Seniors - Kelli Courtois (D); Heather Webb (MF); Meghan O'Sullivan (F); Maggie Willis (F); Alicia Eubanks (D); juniors - Tonya Zugmaier (MF); Brittny Radley (F); Nicole King (MF); Sarah Trumbo (D); Becky Clifton (D); Mary Patton (GK); sophomores - Brittney Cortinas (F); Ashley Webb (MF); Megan Burtnett (MF); Jessica King (MF); Taryn Zugmaier (D/GK)
Newcomers: None
Outlook: The Owls return most of last year's team including Brittny Radley, who led Windsor with 11 goals and 28 points last season. Coach Mike Hutchison expects Meghan O'Sullivan to be one of the main scoring threats along with with help from midfielders Megan Burnett and Ashley Webb. Mary Patton is expected to anchor the defense in goal while Nicole King will be counted on to be the link between the offense and the defense for the Owls.
With every player on the roster with some form of varsity experience, Hutchison said he expects to see improvement.
"I expect us to get better every game and to challenge for a district championship," he said.
