By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The level of soccer experience the Branson Lady Pirates have heading into the 2021 season gives head coach Brandon Scott a reason to be excited for this spring.
“This season, we will be housing the most club soccer players we have ever had,” Scott said. “This experience in the game is something we have lacked in the past seasons. There used to be only three or four players who grew up playing soccer versus now we are looking at double-digit players who play competitively outside of high school season.
“As Branson players continue to be around the game more and have experience with it, it raises our level of competitiveness.”
The Lady Pirates, who finished 7-14-1 in 2019, did lose some experience with the graduation of the Class of 2020, as well as the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lost to graduation are: Katie Jaeger, a forward, who was a Class 4 District 9 second-team selection and who is playing soccer at Jefferson College; Grace Dean, goalkeeper, who is playing volleyball at Hendrix College; Alexis Hawkins, goalkeeper/defender, who is playing volleyball at Bluefield College; Maggie Bartell, a forward, who was unable to play due to an injury suffered during her junior year; and defenders Chloe Lampe and Elly Ashlock.
“It has certainly opened our eyes to realize never to take anything for granted and cherish each moment as it happens,” Scott said. “We lost some incredible leaders and players to graduation, but we have a new and fresh group ready to step up and take on whatever challenges 2021 brings and make the most of each opportunity.
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“Losing the 2020 season can never really be put into words and what that means to those young players who lose a senior season or one more bus ride with friends and teammates. The closure was just not there for them. Those players who were juniors and below thankfully get another season, but it doesn’t make up for the lost time.”
Branson has nine players returning who have experience on the varsity level.
“It will be very valuable to have this large number after not having played for two seasons now,” Scott said.
• Elaina Knipple, senior, defender – Class 4 District 9 and All-Central Ozark Conference second-team selection.
• Tenley Wilkerson, senior, defender – Receiving college interest. “Elaina and Tenley were full-time starters as sophomores in our backline, so bringing back two out of four of your starters from two years ago will be a huge asset and give us a great advantage of experience defensively this season,” Scott said. “Tenley brings an ability to attack from the backline, and she is very good at pushing forward and creating chances for us.”
• Maya Costello, senior, defender – “Maya Costello got some varsity experience her sophomore season, and with her speed, she is a game-changer for us in the back, as well as Elaina and her very consistent lockdown defense.”
• McKenzie Furr, senior, forward, receiving college interest; Chloe Grimm, junior, forward; Ava Marti, junior, midfielder; Allyssa Marti, junior, midfielder/forward; Lexi Zabel, senior, midfielder, Graceland soccer commit; and Kayla Brenner, junior, midfielder, are the only other returnees who have scored on the varsity level.
“In the 2019 season, (Grimm, Ava and Allyssa Marti) contributed as freshmen offensively at the varsity level, so we are looking for them to carry that experience in their junior year and help us as leaders in the offensive attack,” Scott said. “Kayla Brenner and Lexi Zabel both had experience in their freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively, in the midfield for us at the varsity level. As this is a tough position to play, we will look to them to distribute and coordinate play out of the midfield.”
Scott has several newcomers with extensive club soccer experience.
• Courtney Poe, junior, defender – “Courtney will be coming in as a junior and be looking to make a huge impact for us defensively,” Scott said. “Like some of our other players, she is very versatile and athletic, which allows us to utilize her skills in various ways.”
• Kloey Alms and Avery Webber, sophomore, forwards – “(Kloey and Avery) look to join in our attack this spring and help us push forward. Both players are great in the midfield and also forward while goal-scoring. They come in with a great deal of experience from the club level.
• Briley Effird, sophomore – “Briley is another player we will be looking to contribute a lot at the varsity level this spring. She can play all over the field and really make it tough on opposing teams to keep track of her as we move her around this season.
Other players on the varsity radar this spring will be Madyson Reinke, a junior defender, and Tatum Worth, a freshman goalkeeper.
“We are really looking to make a big push this season,” Scott said. “We feel having some varsity experience in key positions coming back from 2019 will be something not many teams have. Having that, combined with our talented young players who are eager for their opportunities finally, will really give us an edge this season.”
Branson will participate in a jamboree at Hillcrest on March 13 before opening the regular season in the Cassville Tournament on March 19-20.
“It means a lot to get these players back on the high school field,” Scott said. “For many of them, these will be some of their best high school memories and friendships, and losing those opportunities they worked so hard for last season is tough. So, I know they are more than ready to get out there and make up for the lost time.”
