By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Lebanon finished 12-10-1 last season, falling in the district semifinal to Kickapoo.
Lady Yellowjackets head coach Matt Jernigan, entering his sixth season, was pleased with the team’s competitiveness.
“Last year was a pretty good year for us,” Jernigan said. “We thought we might have been able to finish a little higher in conference, but let a couple of close games get away from us. The season didn’t end like we would have hoped, but we were in a solid district and fell to a really good Kickapoo team.”
Three key graduated seniors depart the program in Abbey Schmidt, Alyssa Long and Britny Baker.
Schmidt now plays college soccer at Evangel University. She leaves behind a trio of school records at Lebanon, including saves in a game, saves in a career and per-game in a career. Schmidt was top 10 in the state in those categories, as well.
Baker has continued her soccer career, as well, at William Woods University.
“We graduated six seniors who had played all four years for us,” Jernigan said. “It was a very good all around class for us and they are going to be hard to replace.”
Despite the losses to graduation, the Yellowjackets return a host of players with both talent and experience at the varsity level, led by senior defender Skyler Hough.
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“Skyler was second-team all-conference last year, and is going to be one of the keys to our team this year,” Jernigan said. “She is a versatile athlete who can play anywhere on the field.”
Other returnees include senior outside mid Baylei Palmer, sophomore defender Alyson Johnson, senior outside mid Katie Brandon, junior outside back Ashlynn Leochner and senior midfielder Zephanie White.
In addition, Lebanon will feature a trio of varsity newcomers who will compete for playing time this season in junior Katie Merrit, senior Leslee Weddle and sophomore Amanda DeWitt.
With a roster full of versatile players, Jernigan has high expectations for his team.
“We are going to be a very athletic and versatile team this year,” Jernigan said. “We will be lacking experience in some key spots, but we believe we have some players ready to step in and fill those roles well.
Jernigan believes the Lady Jackets’ offense could be a question mark initially, as players adjust to new roles and develop early in the season.
“We graduated both of our forwards from last year, so scoring is going to be a question mark for us this year,” Jernigan said. “We have girls who we believe will step into that role with no problem, but it will be a new look for us. We have the speed and athleticism to score goals it will just take that finishing ability. Hopefully we can find that early in the year.”
While the offense might get off to a slow start, Jernigan believes Lebanon’s defense has the potential to be something special this season.
“I believe this will be one of the best defensive teams we have had in a long time,” Jernigan said. “Alyson Johnson is making a name for herself in the area as one of the better defenders around. With Ashlynn Leochner, Katie Merrit and Lydia Long joining with Alyson, I think our defensive line is going to be solid.”
Sophomore Riley McKinney is the leading candidate to replace the departed Schmidt, a position Jernigan feels will determine Lebanon’s long-term success.
“If we can find a keeper that can step in and do well, we will have a good year,” Jernigan said. “I think all the other facets of the game, we will be ready in, but we need to have that key player between the goal posts.”
Lebanon opens its season hosting the Heritage Bank Kickoff Tournament March 15 and 16. Participating teams include Southern Boone, Crocker, MV-BT Liberty, Webb City and McDonald County.
