By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Expectations are high this year for the Marshfield High School girls’ soccer team.
The Lady Blue Jays, who finished 4-15 overall and 0-4 in the Central Ozark Conference Small Division, basically return their entire starting 11 from a year ago.
“Most our ladies have played since they were freshmen,” Marshfield coach Paul Lewis said. “They are getting better and expect different results this year, but we must keep working hard and improve at all facets of the game.”
One key loss to graduation is Caitlin King, who is playing basketball at Hannibal-LaGrange College. King scored four goals and added two assists in 2017. Her leadership will be missed, Lewis said.
But the Lady Jays have plenty of fire power back on the pitch this season.
The 11 returnees include: seniors – Dallas Hougardy, defender, and Brady VanNest, forward; juniors – Haleigh Clift, goalkeeper; Izzy Harrison, forward; Maddi Gardner, defender; Leiken Barton, midfielder; Kennedy Deckard, defender; Hannah Slavens, midfielder; Payton Lafferty, midfielder; Mayci Huff, midfielder; and Shayden Porter, defender.
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Harrison, an All-COC second-team selection, was the leading scorer with five goals. Harrison and Barton collected four assists apiece, and Clift had one shutout with several 1-0 games. Gardner also was a second-team All-COC pick last season.
To be successful this season, Lewis is looking for Harrison and Barton to get more involved offensively and for his defense to continue to improve with the solid play of his back four – Garner, Deckard, Hougardy and Porter – as well as consistent play from Clift.
“Maybe we can find a diamond in the rough from our younger players,” Lewis said.
A couple of those newcomers include sophomore forwards Lacey Brown and Renee Ryder.
“We hope they can give some much-needed offense, as scoring has been an issue in the past,” Lewis said. “Both players have a nose for the goal and could provide a spark next year up front.
“We have got to score and find a way to get the ball in the back of the net.”
Eight of the Lady Jays’ losses last season were by one goal – one coming in the Class 3 District 10 semifinals to Parkview (1-0) – and two of those coming on penalty kick shootouts.
Marshfield will participate in a jamboree at Lebanon on March 10, which includes Crocker and 2017 Class 3 quarterfinalist, Bolivar. The Lady Jays open their season in the Fair Grove Tournament, which they serve as co-host, on March 16-17.
“We were very young last year, but we have gained valuable experience,” Lewis said.
