By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Fair Grove Lady Eagles finished the 2017 season with a 10-7 record, falling in the Class 1 District 6 final to MV-BT/Liberty.
While head coach Joseph Florez feels his team is more than capable of making a return trip to the district finals, the Lady Eagles have a lot of work to do in order to reach that goal.
First and foremost, Fair Grove will need to replace a host of departed seniors, including Autumn Wilson, Leah Wahlquist, Maegan Holland, Macy Lumley and Sadie Renata. Wilson, Fair Grove’s starting goalkeeper last season, now plays for Neosho Community College.
Despite the statistical losses, last year’s leadership may prove to be Fair Grove’s most immediate need moving into the season.
“We have graduated some fantastic leaders out of our program over the last few years,” Florez said. “We will need to find leaders this year. After graduating seven seniors from last year, we will look to our large group of 13 juniors to step up and take on some of that responsibility.”
Shyanne McBroom, Macey Stallings and Madi Psyhos represent a trio of returning juniors who will play key roles on the Fair Grove pitch this season.
McBroom and Stallings combined for 20 goals last season and will help spearhead Fair Grove’s attack.
“Shy is a tough player who brings a defensive mindset to the midfield, but also has the ability to get into the attack when necessary,” Florez said. “[Macey] has speed and skill, and as worked on her endurance and mental toughness in the offseason, running cross country to prepare for soccer, even while playing volleyball at the same time.”
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Psyhos will change positions for Fair Grove this season.
“Madi is a skilled and fast defender who will anchor our back line,” Florez said. “Although she will be new to defense, she has two years of varsity soccer experience and will be changing spots to help the team maximize our current roster.”
Newcomers to the varsity roster include senior Sierra Anderjaska and freshman Emma Sandford.
“Sierra is a four year athlete that understands hard work and competitive sports,” Florez said. “Emma is a dual sport track/soccer athlete that will give us a ton of speed, and unlike most freshmen, she’s not afraid of contact. She’s got good size and we think she’ll contribute to the varsity team right away.”
Florez feels his team’s speed and mental toughness will prove to be definite strengths this season and open up all sorts of possibilities on the pitch.
“We feel like we’ve got more options this year, rather than relying just one or two girls,” Florez said. “Macey Stallings, Shyanne McBroom, Cydney Fullerton and Ashley Gallinger should all be double digit goal scorers for us this year if all goes as planned, and Maddie Lair, Liz Holland and Emma Sanford should be able to give defenses fits at times as well.”
“Our district is always very tight, and it’s hard to predict year to year who will finish at the top,” Florez said. “That being said, we think it’s a realistic goal to get back to the district final again if things fall right for us, but we’re going to need some of our juniors to be ready for a ton more play-time and to really step up this Spring.”
The Lady Eagles begin play this season in the Fair Grove Invitational, which takes place March 16-17.
