By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Fresh off their best season in terms of wins and losses, the Monett High School girls’ soccer team took a large step forward this past spring, especially as they enter their sixth season against varsity competition.
Despite ending the 2017 campaign on a disappointed note with a 10-0 loss to Logan-Rogersville, Monett finished with a 10-10 overall record last season, marking not only its most single-season wins but surpassing its combined win total from their previous five seasons.
“We had a rough go in our first district game against Logan- Rogersville last year,” Monett head coach Neal Bluel said. “We played a tough game the week before and had a plan on how to give them even more of a challenge. Injuries and other factors out of our control gave us only six of our normal starters for that game and during the match we lost two more.
“It was a hard lesson to learn after having so much success during the regular season. However, one that good programs have to go through in order to achieve their goals.”
That said, the Lady Cubs will be tested early on this spring with the difficult task of replacing the key leadership and production from graduated seniors Emily Krueger (forward), Alexis Brannon (goalie), and Sarah Childress (forward).
Monett does, however, return more lettermen (nine) than lettermen lost (four) from last year’s record-setting season highlighted by one returning junior and a trio of sophomores.
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The junior class will be headlined by Tyleigh Allcock (defender) while the returning sophomores features Teagan Johnson (midfielders), Naiam Perez (midfielder), and Victoria Gutierrez (forward).
Not only that, the Lady Cubs will also have two top newcomers expected to break into varsity action this spring, featuring juniors Cassidy Abramovitz (midfielder) and Kristen Abramovitz (midfielder).
Monett has its sights set even higher following their most successful season in program history.
“Overall, we look to reach a district championship match this season,” Bluel said. “We havemany players coming back that have experience playing the game. We also have new girls coming to the team that are new to the game of soccer but will contribute from day one as athletes.
“Our program is growing so we also have many freshman in the ranks. This is due to our wonderful community program that a few parent coaches have really taken on as a project. Without them, our success would be limited.
“Our style of play will be fast this season. We will shoot to be at our best during district tournament time.”
Bluel pinned down Monett’s playing Big 8 Conference rival Aurora as a key matchup to watch for going into the season. The Cubs will face off against the Houn Dawgs at least two times this spring.
“We always look forward to playing Aurora during the season,” Bluel said. “The girls get pumped up to play against them.”
Monett opens the season in the Fair Grove Tournament on March 16.
