By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Another season. Another district title for the Catholic Lady Irish.
The Lady Irish captured their 10th district championship in 11 years before falling to Pleasant Hill (the No. 1 team in Class 2), 2-0, in the sectional round, and ended last season with a 16-6-3 overall record, 6-0 in the Big 8 Conference and a No. 9 ranking in Class 2.
Heading into the 2020 season, Catholic will field a young roster and will need to find a way to fill several large shoes in order to keep the title train rolling.
“Expectations are always high at Catholic because of the success we have had over the years,” said Ben Timson, Catholic’s coach for 22 years. “This season, we will be rebuilding to a degree after graduating three consecutive strong classes.”
Last year’s senior class featured Class 2 Goalkeeper of the Year, Kaitlin Knetzke, who also earned Class 2 Region 3 Goalkeeper of the Year, Class 2 District 11 and Big 8 Conference first-team honors, as well as being named Big 8 Player of the Year. Knetzke played in 22 games, allowed just 18 goals for a 0.86 goals-against average and recorded 12 shutouts. She currently is playing at Drury University.
“Kaitlin Knetzke will be very difficult to replace,” Timson said. “She was the best keeper we have ever had at Catholic and the best keeper in Class 2, and possibly all classes.”
In addition to Knetzke, the Lady Irish also lose Ashley Andrews, Olivia Wilson, Kaleia Huttenlocher, Sophia Sanders and Isabella Sanders.
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Ashley Andrews was named to the all-state second team, all-region, all-district and all-conference first teams; Olivia Wilson earned all-region, all-district and all-conference first-team honors; and Kaleia Huttenlocher was an all-district selection.
“We have a good group of returning players who have not been expected to play leadership roles in the past,” said Timson, who has a record of 405-147-19 and was named Big 8 Co-Coach of the Year. “We will need them to step into leadership roles for us to be successful again this season. If they do, I like our chances. I expect they will.”
• Taylor Collins, sophomore, forward – Scored 14 goals, had 2 assists; all-district, all-conference second-team. “Taylor has tremendous speed and has developed a nose for the goal, which will help us tremendously this coming season.”
• Harper Collins, senior, defender – Scored 1 goal, had 2 assists; all-district, all-conference second-team. “Harper is a very technical player with a high soccer IQ. She has been a starting defender for us since her freshman year, and this year I’m hoping to be able to move her into the midfield to take advantage of her ability to distribute the ball.”
• Taylor Rae Russell, junior, defender – Had 3 assists; all-district, all-conference honorable mention. “We will look to Taylor Rae to be the heart of our central defense.”
• Mary Miller, junior, forward – Scored 7 goals, had 3 assists. “Mary was a big part of our attack last year and I expect her to be so again this year. She has a sense for the game and is always instinctively well-positioned to give herself opportunities to score.”
• Gabby Giovanni, junior, midfielder – Scored 5 goals, with 7 assists. “Gabby will have a significant impact in our midfield this year. She is technically solid and has a good feel for the game.”
• Mia Page, junior, defender – Had 1 assist. “Mia is a scrappy defender who will be counted on to contribute many minutes to our back line again this year.”
• Hayley Singleton, junior, midfielder – Scored 3 goals, had 1 assist. “Hayley will be counted on to control the middle of the field for us.”
• Kaitlyn Stickney, junior, midfielder – Scored 3 goals, had 1 assist. “Kaitlyn has great potential as a goal scorer. She fought injuries last season, but we are hoping for a breakout season from her this spring.”
• Abbi Murphy, sophomore, midfielder – Scored 1 goal. “Abbi had a very productive season as a freshman last spring and we are looking for an expanded role for her in our midfield this spring.”
And, who the Lady Irish will have in goal this spring is to be determined.
“We will have an open competition for the task of replacing Knetzke,” Timson said. “Emily Pazera (senior) filled in for three games last year when Knetzke was injured and recorded three shutouts, so she will be a strong candidate for the position.
“Incoming freshmen have always contributed to our varsity team at Catholic, and I expect there will be several who do so again this year. I never know who they will be until we get through the first few weeks of practice.”
Catholic will participate in a jamboree at Republic with Ozark and Rogersville on March 13 before opening the regular season in the Rolla Tournament on March 20-21.
“We will play a strong schedule again this year that includes many Class 3 and 4 teams including, Kickapoo, Nixa and Ozark in Class 4, and Glendale and Rolla in Class 3,” Timson said. “We will also see strong competition in the Rolla and Kickapoo tournaments. We will be challenged in the Big 8 Conference this year by Logan-Rogersville, who took us to penalty kicks last season.”
