By Kerek Shore
Head coach Jake Forste only needed four words to describe this upcoming season for Cassville soccer.
“The sky is the limit,” Forste said of his 2017-18 squad.
On one hand, the Wildcats have certainly taken their share of lumps in recent memory, including a 3-19 season and -94 goal differential in 2015.
On the other, last year looked to be the turn of the tide for Cassville’s soccer program that finished with a much-improved 11-13 record as they tightened up their defense to the tune of a -3 goal differential last fall.
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“We snuck up on several teams expecting an easy win and competed closely in most of our losses,” Forste added, who dropped a pair of double-overtime games to College Heights and Fair Grove.
Not only that, Cassville lost to the eventual Class 2 state runner-up in 2016, Monett, 6-2 which was a team that posted two double-digit shutouts on them twice two years ago.
Unfortunately, the Wildcats lost five starters and eight lettermen from last year’s team, but welcome back six returning starters and eight lettermen along with three newcomers expected to see varsity time.
Headlining the returnees are juniors Noah Parsons (All-Regional center back) and Carter Fletcher (All-District honoree).
A returning captain, Forste said Parsons anchored Cassville’s defense last year as a sophomore thanks to his 2.46 goals against average (up from 5.6 in 2015).
“Noah’s team-first attitude, defensive intensity, and ability to shut down some of the area’s best scorers has provided a bedrock for our defense,” Forste said.
Fletcher was one of the most improved players last year for the Wildcats, and his coach envisions an expanded role this fall.
“This year, he will move from a do-it-all role to a full-time left back,” Forste said. “He is a selfless player who is part of an improved back line with great chemistry.”
A now sophomore, Michael Sommers started 23 of 24 games in his freshman season as a right back last year.
“He has tremendous speed and vision who can beat his man and push the ball into space at a moment’s notice,” his coach said.
To round out the returnees, senior Kory Harvey and juniors Vance Supulver and Andrew Berndt.
Harvey came on late in the season last year after an injury as the goalie and started the final ten games before tallying five shutouts. Another goalie, Supulver moved into the midfield due to an arm injury last year. Forste says he has settled in as the top striker on the team and is a candidate for 20 or more goals this season.
“Andrew is a box-to-box midfielder, who is quality in all areas of the game,” Forste said. “He can score, defend, hold up play, or distribute based on team need and game situation.”
Forste also listed three newcomers in juniors JJ Okel (midfielder) and Luis Lara (cornerback) as well as freshman Eder Aguirre (defensive midfielder).
The second-year head coach described Okel as a strong, hard-nosed and intimidating player, who is “great in the air.” He is expected to be a force in the midfield capable of bodying smaller players off the ball. Lara is a classic spark plug type player. His energy and enthusiasm, as well as his nose for the ball, will allow the Wildcats to take another step forward defensively in 2017.
“Eder is a true freshman who will be a four-year starter,” Forste said. “He has settled in as a defensive midfielder for us. He is capable of shielding the back four, winning challenges in space, and leading the attack from the backfield.”
Ultimately, Forste says the team prides itself on defensive excellence while consistent goal scoring will be a work in progress.
“Although we lost our top-two goal scorers from 2016, we have made dramatic improvements defensively,” he said. “Our tenacious back four, quality goalkeeping, and speed in the midfield will keep us in every game all season long. We have made strides with team conditioning and ball movement as well as improved understanding of the game and field awareness.
“Teams on our schedule can expect to see a team with relentless energy and pursuit of the ball. Our game speed and ball possession improved with each game last season. This year, we will look to continue our improved pace of play and wear teams down with our speed and timely passing.”
Cassville opens the season on the road at Fair Grove on September 5.
“Looking ahead, we will take another step forward in 2017,” Forste said. “We will field the most complete team Cassville has had in quite some time. We will look to blow past last year’s 11 wins and continue to be a program on the rise.”
