By Denise Tucker (For the OzarksSportsZone.com)
After 22 years under the leadership of Hall-of-Fame coach and program founder Ben Timson, the Springfield Catholic Lady Irish enter the 2021 season with a new leader at the helm.
Mike Hines, who has been the Catholic boys’ coach since 2015 and a head coach for 30 years, takes over a program that has won 17 district titles, made 13 final four appearances and captured two state titles.
“Taking the program from someone who has had such great success can be stressful, but if we have learned anything from Timson, it is that our buckets are always half-full,” said former Catholic standout and current assistant Lydia Holtmann. “If willing to work, this young group of girls has an opportunity to create something new and truly incredible for themselves.
“With our history, our standard of excellence and now working towards a constantly competitive environment, Timson’s impact on the program will last for seasons moving forward as we grow.”
In addition to losing the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lady Irish lost Harper Collins, who was an all-district and all-conference second-team selection at defender. Collins scored one goal and had two assists as a junior in 2019.
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In 2019, the Lady Irish captured their 10th district championship in 11 years before falling to Pleasant Hill in the sectional round, ending the season with a 16-6-3 overall record, 6-0 in the Big 8 Conference and a No. 9 ranking in Class 2.
The 2020 campaign was going to be somewhat of a development season as far as players being new to leadership roles. But Hines says several of those players, who are now seniors, are expected to be productive this year.
• Taylor Rae Russell, senior, defender – Had 3 assists and was an all-district and all-conference honorable mention in 2019.
• Gabby Giovanni, senior, midfielder – Scored 5 goals, with 7 assists in 2019.
• Mia Page, senior, defender – Had 1 assist.
• Hayley Singleton, senior, midfielder – Scored 3 goals, had 1 assist.
• Kaitlyn Stickney, senior, midfielder – Scored 3 goals, had 1 assist.
• Mary Miller, senior, forward – Scored 7 goals, had 3 assists.
• Seniors Emma George and Elizabeth Killion also are expected to contribute this season.
“I am super excited to see a new team family and physique emerge this season because of how much lost time we had from last year,” Page said. “The girls have a fresh outlook with our new coaches this year and I think this could be very beneficial for the incoming freshmen and sophomores with so much talent. A few seniors are also joining us who tried out for the team last year. Not only does everyone hold potential physically, I think our mental strength as a team could get us far this year.”
Juniors Taylor Collins, Celia Stiltner and Abbi Murphy had significant playing time as freshmen and will be crucial this season, Hines said. Collins scored 14 goals, had 2 assists and was an all-district and all-conference second-team pick in 2019. Murphy added one goal for the Lady Irish during her freshman year.
Sophomores who were vying for varsity minutes as freshmen in 2020 were: Sophia Cardin, Avery Bowler and Jayden Waters. And, incoming freshmen Kennedi Roubal, Olivia Swisshelm, Mary Sharp, Haley Brown and Maddie Meyer all will have an opportunity to make a strong impact, Hines said.
“This season has a different feel for the Irish coaches because (we) have not seen the current freshmen and sophomores, half of the expected players on the roster, play in a game,” Hines said because of the loss of the 2020 season.
With the new MSHSAA classification guidelines, the Lady Irish will not know which class they will be assigned to until about the end of March. In the meantime, they will start the spring by hosting a jamboree with Ozark, Republic and Rogersville on March 12 before opening the season in the Rolla Tournament on March 19-20.
“Our goals are always the same – be competitive in every game and compete for a district title,” Hines said. “If both goals are accomplished, then it is a successful season.”
