By John Miller (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Graduating talented players is nothing out of the norm for the Kickapoo girls soccer program.
After finishing with a 21-4-2 mark last year, including an 8-1 run through the Ozark Conference and second place finish in its district, the Lady Chiefs saw the graduation of three players to college programs: Alyson Goodale (Columbia College), Hannah Sweaney (John Brown) and Rachel Williams (Evangel).
“Alyson was a captain and consistent center-mid for us last season,” Kickapoo coach Phil Hodge said. “Hannah was also a captain. She gave us some speed and athleticism as an outside-mid. Rachel was a captain, too, and played more of a defensive role for us. All three ladies contributed significantly to their respective teams.”
For a lot of programs, graduating three players to the college ranks might mean a rebuilding year is in store. That doesn’t seem to be the case for Kickapoo. The Lady Chiefs return nine players, four of which have made college commitments to play soccer.
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Headlining the returners is Evangel signee Alyson Reinold, who scored 17 goals last year. Skylr Houzenga (SBU), Annalee Arbeitman (William Jewell), Sarah Holman (Evangel), and Jessica Weedin (SBU) also return and have committed to play soccer at the next level. Maddie Burton, Edyn King, and Kennedy Heeren are also back and should play a big impact for Kickapoo this spring. King scored 16 goals last season. Also returning is goalkeeper Ari Acuff after a 15-shutout season last year. Acuff, who also plays basketball and golf, has committed to golf for the US Naval Academy.
Kickapoo also welcomes in newcomer Maddie McClain, who played every position last year (including keeper when Acuff was with the Kickapoo basketball team at the Final Four in Columbia, Mo.).
“Maddie is a versatile player for us that looks to get some consistent minutes as a center-mid,” Hodge said. “We bring back a great deal of varsity experience, coupled with a very strong strength of schedule.”
Along with competing in the Ozark Conference, the Lady Chiefs will face Harrison, Ar., Rock Bridge, Oakville, Holt, Incarnate Word Academy, St. Joseph’s Academy, Rockwood Summit, Nixa, and Central in non-conference action. They’ll also compete in the Kickapoo Shootout in mid-April.
“Our schedule is the toughest it has been in 10 years,” Hodge said.
Hodge hopes the tough schedule will help prepare his team for postseason play. With a tough schedule a lot of talented returners, the Lady Chiefs have put themselves in position for a great 2017 season.
