By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Lebanon High School boys’ soccer team had a season unlike any other in 2019.
The Yellowjackets set multiple program records and accomplished things no previous LHS team had done, including:
• Most wins (17)
• Most shutouts (nine)
• First-ever win over Kickapoo
• First-ever appearance in a district title game
“We had great leadership from our seniors last year and I really believe that is why we were able to (win) some tight games,” said Lebanon coach Matt Jernigan. “We are going to need players to step into those leadership roles this year. We’re excited to see which players fill that void.”
Expectations are high heading into 2020, as the Yellowjackets bring back talent all over the field.
Senior forward Zach Richards leads the way. He’s one of the best players Lebanon’s ever had.
Last year, the all-state honoree set Lebanon’s single-season record for goals (35) while adding 11 assists. Entering his senior season, he owns the program record for career goals (70) and career assists (23).
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The Yellowjackets welcome back a pair of starting midfielders in senior Luis Pedroza and junior Ryder Rhoades.
Pedroza earned all-conference honorable mention after tallying eight goals and eight assists.
“He is a playmaker in the middle of the field,” Jernigan said. “He has great vision and works well with our forwards to get into the attack.”
Rhoades added five assists and could be poised for a breakout season as a junior.
“Ryder is a smart player in the midfield,” Jernigan said. “He controls the game and has a great ability to get stops one-on-one. We are looking for him to be a leader as well.”
Lebanon’s backline features three experienced seniors in Evan Rogers, Austin Barber and Cameron Fisher.
Rogers and Fisher are three-year starters.
“(Rogers) is able to make great runs out of the defense and get us into the attack,” Jernigan said. “(Fisher) has been a rock in our defense for three years. He will be playing center back and will need to have a big year in order for us to achieve our goals.”
Barber adds more experience to Lebanon’s defense. He’ll play on the outside.
“He is a strong player and will be a big part of our defense,” Jernigan said.
Senior Angel Pedroza, who played midfield his first three seasons and scored three goals in 2019, will play more on defense this year.
“He has been outstanding (on defense) this summer,” Jernigan said. “We are really looking for Angel to be a force in the midfield and also solidify our defense in games as well.”
Junior Quinton Doughty, who had one goal and three assists last year, will move up top alongside Richards.
“Quinton has great speed and will give us a second threat to take some pressure off of Zach,” Jernigan said.
The Yellowjackets finished 17-9 overall in 2019. Lebanon also won its own tournament for the first time.
Lebanon picked up a district win over West Plains, before falling to Glendale in the finals. Lebanon hadn’t finished with double-digit wins since 2013.
This year’s seniors could go down as one of the winningest groups in program history.
“We have all of our midfield and forwards returning, so I think our scoring ability will be there,” Jernigan said. “We just have to be able to defend as a team.”
Lebanon graduated a nine-player senior class that featured all-conference selections Zach Jamieson (goalkeeper, second team) and Ethan Murray (defender, honorable mention). Jamieson, who was all-region and district goalkeeper of the year, is now playing at nearby Southwest Baptist University.
“A lot of (our success) was due to the leadership of our seniors,” Jernigan said. “They will be greatly missed.”
Lebanon will also be without junior defender Austin Durden and sophomore midfielder Micah Veanes. Durden broke his ankle in an offseason game over the summer.
Veanes was seriously injured in a fishing accident in May. After multiple surgeries, he was still recovering in a Texas hospital as of late July.
“Micah is a strong young man and has been fighting for his life,” Jernigan said. “We can’t wait until Micah is able to come home and be with his team.”
New names pushing into the fold include Clayton Frazier and juniors Matthew Hilton and Austin Westerlund.
Frazier, a sophomore with promising athleticism, will battle Jace West for the starting goalkeeper spot.
Hilton is a midfielder who will likely see more varsity action this season.
“He is a very hard worker and will continue to develop his skill this year,” Jernigan said.
Westerlund brings great versatility to the team. He’ll switch from midfield to defense this season.
“We’ll look to Austin to be strong on defense this year and anchor our defense next year,’ Jernigan said.
Lebanon will play Bolivar, Camdenton and host Branson in a jamboree on August 24. The Yellowjackets start the regular season August 28-29 in their home tournament.
“We are excited to get going after all the craziness that has been going on,” Jernigan said. “Between the pandemic and the accident with Micah, our team knows that you are not promised tomorrow, so we are excited to get out there and push every day.”
