By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Carthage Lady Tigers struggled to a 4-13 season last year, but things are looking up this year with more lettermen returning (eight) than lettermen lost (seven) from last spring.
Although, the Lady Tigers will look to replace five key starters. Of the five starters, Carthage loses midfielders Anna Christianson (two-year captain; four-year letter winner) and Karen Gomez (one-year captain; four-year letter winner) along with their defenders Jessica Kaup (four-year letter winner) and Hania Hernandez (three-year letter winner) from last season. They also lose winger Eymi Mendez (three-year letter winner) as well.
On a positive note, Carthage will be headlined by second team All-COC Large recipient Brianna Marquez, who will settle in as the forward once again entering her junior season.
“95% of our offense came through her,” the Lady Tigers head coach Caleb Bayless said. “She is a workhorse. I’m looking for her to fill in a leadership role this year. I’m hoping her work ethic and hunger becomes contagious.”
At goalkeeper, Sydney Peters returns after boasting 200 or more saves, per her coach.
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“She has great hands,” Bayless said. “I’m hoping her soccer IQ kicks in and she starts to learn some of the finer points of goalkeeping. This is just her third year playing.”
Among the other two key returnees listed, senior Alexis Paynter looks to bring in experience and offensive support for Marquez at the forward position as well. To round out the key returnees is sophomore defender Jenari Lopez to lead the defensive attack for Carthage.
Bayless said Paynter is only in her second year of playing soccer. She has a great sports mindset and loves to work hard while Lopez has good speed and is a strong ball winner, but needs to be more vocal.
“We have a big gap in the midfield,” Bayless added. “Both center mids graduated and I’m not sure who will fill that role. We have a big class coming it with a lot of athleticism. I hope that translates to the soccer field.”
As for early-season expectations, the Lady Tigers will look to push the tempo of the game thanks to their athleticism.
“What we lack in soccer ability we make up for with athleticism,” Bayless said. “One of the most important factors for us being successful is to let our horses run.”
Carthage is set to open the season at home against Webb City on Friday, March 16.
