By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After tasting postseason success a year ago, the Central Lady Bulldogs are hungry for more in 2020.
And, they have the talent to do it.
Central welcomes back its top three scorers from last year’s district championship squad.
“We want to continue to play as a unit and strengthen our starting 11’s mentality and physicality each game,” said Central’s coach, Dr. Christine Welch. “We want to win districts again, beat some key opponents and advance (farther) in the postseason.”
Senior midfielder and all-state selection Kourtney Tucker leads the Central lineup.
The Drury University signee finished with 24 goals and 16 assists a year ago, earning Class 4 All-State Second-Team, Class 4 Region 3, Class 4 District 10 and All-Ozark Conference First-Team honors along the way.
“She’s a talented and intelligent leader, on or off the ball,” Welch said. “She is always looking at the next play, quick to understand her teammates’ next move and how the team should be progressing throughout a game.
“She’s one of the most talented players to come through our program.”
Sophomore Holland Hawkins was the unofficial rookie of the year locally in 2019. As a freshman, she was a team co-captain and led Central with 27 goals and 21 assists.
Hawkins picked up all-conference, all-region and district MVP honors. Her older sisters, Aspen and Ireland, were also star players for Central.
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“As a freshman, Holland crushed some major goals not only for herself but for the program,” Welch said. “She is talented at any position we put her and is a strong and confident leader on the field. She’s eager to increase her goal count this season as well as help her teammates to be successful.”
Olivia Brinkman was another very productive freshman for Central last season. She tallied 12 goals and nine assists, was an all-district second-team selection and brings advanced experience to the field.
“She’s a smart player who is very aggressive and a quick learner,” Welch said. “She has club experience and understands whatever she needs to do on the field.”
Seniors Addie Pearman and Maggie Courtney anchor the Central defense.
Pearman, named second-team all-district and all-conference last year, can play multiple positions and brings energy to the field.
“She never gives up and is a strength for our backline and a leader for our team,” Welch said.
Courtney, the 2019 district goalie of the year, is a four-year varsity player who had a breakout junior campaign. She was named second-team all-district and all-conference and recorded 124 totals saves to go with four shutouts.
“She is small but mighty,” Welch said. “Her teammates love her confidence, intelligence and aggressiveness in goal.”
Also returning to Central’s back line is senior Grace Chalfant, who earned second-team all-district and all-conference honors.
The Bulldogs won a district championship – their third since 2012 – by defeating Republic 2-1 in the Class 4 District 10 Tournament title game.
Central’s season ended a week later with a 2-1 loss to Kickapoo in the Class 4 sectional round.
The final record (15-7-1) marked Central’s eighth-straight winning season. Welch enters her 19th season as Central’s head coach.
Central graduated just two seniors: midfielder Zoe Young (11 assists, first-team all-district and all-conference) and forward Grace Billionis (first-team all-district).
“Zoe was a strong midfielder and team leader,” Welch said. “Grace was a fun, resilient and happy forward who was always there for her teammates.”
Central could again have multiple freshmen playing varsity minutes. They include: Madelin Diaz (defender), Amelia Billionis (defender) and Catherine Dutton (goalkeeper).
“Madelin’s quiet but intimidating on the field,” Welch said. “Her soccer experience throughout her youth will be an asset for us.”
Amelia Billionis also has club experience and a strong work ethic.
“Like her two older sisters who played for Central, she is tenacious and willing to work in any role for her team to succeed,” Welch said.
Dutton hasn’t played soccer in about a decade, but brings tremendous athleticism and strength to the field. She was a state-ranked wrestler for Central in the winter.
Sophomore Sandra Sanchez played well on the JV last year and saw action in seven varsity games.
“We expect her to advance quickly into the varsity pool of players,” Welch said.
Central starts the regular season March 24 at Parkview.
