By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Webb City High School Girls soccer team enters the 2018 spring season with a new face at the helm.
First-year head coach Nick Harmon takes over a program that boasted a 7-9 overall record last season, inheriting a team that defeated Carl Junction in the Class 3, District 12 semifinals before falling to a talented Neosho squad in the district title game.
“Last year, the ladies ended the season with some postseason success,” Harmon said. “This year, we expect to build on the successes of last year and win the district championship. “
In a year that featured more valleys than peaks last spring, Webb City jumped out to an early 3-2 start before splitting the next four games, bringing their record to a 5-4 mark about halfway through the season. The Lady Cardinals dropped the next four games, but ended the season on a relatively high note with a 1-0 shutout at Branson as they went into districts.
Webb City does, however, return a strong nucleus from last year’s team with plenty of varsity experience to boot. In fact, they bring back five key seniors in Lauren Bryan, Maggie Johnson, Kim Gamez, Lily Spikereit, and Sydney Dixon.
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Perhaps headlining the strong senior class will be Bryan, who earned first-team All-COC honors as a junior, after contributing at the defender position last spring.
“She is a strong defender who will play a key role for us in the back this year,” Harmon added.
Another key defender/winger will be Johnson, who was a second-team All-COC player this past year and will be an important part of the Lady Cardinals defensive structure again this year.
Webb City also returns second-team All-COC Large player Kim Gamez at the goalie position.
“Kim is our returning senior keeper,” her coach said. “We expect our success to start from the back with her.”
Expected to have a big impact on the offensive end will be Spikereit and Dixon, who round out the key seniors listed.
“Lily is a core midfielder who will be a strong leader for us this year,” Harmon said. “Sydney is a speedy forward who we expect to lead the way for us up front as well.”
With a new coach, the Lady Cardinals may or may not have much of a change in terms of their philosophy, but adjustments will be made accordingly.
“Our style of play will likely change throughout the course of the season,” Harmon said. “I do not have a predetermined formation or attacking or defending strategy. I plan on constantly re-evaluating and adapting our strategy based on what our opponents throw at us, injuries, and strengths and weaknesses of our players.”
Webb City opens the season at Carthage on March 16.
