By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The goal last season for the Bolivar Lady Liberators was to bring home a fifth-straight district soccer championship, and that is once again the focus for the 2021 team.
But, like every other 2020 spring sports season that was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that goal was put on hold.
“We had a group of seniors who were highly motivated to try and accomplish that,” Bolivar coach Steve Fast said of the district title goal. “Our senior defense, which had multiple multi-year starters, were the leaders and backbone of the group. They played really well as a unit and helped give our offense a lot of opportunity. Our seniors were a fun and outstanding group on and off the field and their leadership will be greatly missed.”
The Class of 2020 included three-year starters Ashtynn Russell, an all-district defender who scored two goals and had four assists in 2019 and is playing soccer and golf at Evangel, Maude Henenberg (all-district defender) and Aurora Fox (defender), as well as Annie vanHoornbeek (midfielder, three goals), Madison Austin (midfielder) and Annabelle Ramirez (defender).
The Lady Liberators finished 16-6 in 2019 and have experience returning, in spite of the interruption to their high school careers, in Lexi Berry, London Wilson, Emmy Presley and Allison Butler.
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• Lexi Berry, senior, midfielder, who will be playing basketball at Evangel next year, was an all-state and all-district selection as a sophomore, with 19 goals and 7 assists. – “(Lexi is) very good at beating opponents 1v1,” Fast said. “Her style of play creates a lot of opportunities for our team to score.”
• London Wilson, junior, forward, scored 12 goals as a freshman. “A dynamic player all over the field who is highly skilled and can do it all; can play any position needed. Thought she might have a breakout year last year, but since we were cancelled, look out for her this year.”
• Emmy Presley, junior, forward, with 6 goals and 4 assists. “Fast and applies a lot of pressure. She does a lot of the dirty work pressuring the ball and giving our other scorers a chance at goal.”
• Allison Butler, junior, goalkeeper – “Full-time starter as a freshman; tough and aggressive keeper who is still learning the position. She has no fear and will do whatever is necessary to try and prevent a goal.”
Fast has several players he was looking to make an impact in 2020 and additional players he feels will also contribute this season.
• Megan Roberts, senior, midfielder, who missed most of her sophomore season with a broken foot, but returned in time for district play in 2019. “Megan is a natural-born leader and will be a great role model for our team and younger players.”
• Cara Larimore, senior, defender, who played soccer for the first time as a sophomore. “Tough player with a knack for making good passes out of the back.”
• Jenna Pastore, senior, defender/midfielder. “An all-around utility player with high energy. She will do anything needed to help the team.”
• Mollie Stimpson, junior, forward, was injured and played sparingly in 2019. “Very aggressive and relentless attack on the goal.”
• Savannah Williamson, sophomore, midfielder. “Highly motivated and a tough, hard-nosed player.”
• Reagan Hunt, sophomore, defender. “Smart and aggressive player that has a strong will to learn and improve.”
• Abby Welch, sophomore, defender. “Fast and aggressive and a good leader in the back.”
• Sophie Vestal, sophomore, midfielder. “Fun and energetic player who loves to pass the ball to open teammates.”
• Camryn Minor, sophomore, midfielder. “Aggressive with a lot of energy and endurance.”
In addition, Bolivar has several freshmen Fast says are strong players with good soccer backgrounds and who will compete for varsity starting spots and playing time. They include: Clair Giglio (forward/midfielder), Sahara Adams (midfielder/defender), Ese Jones (defender), Mady Niven (defender), Ellie Thomas (midfielder) and Jaylee Branderhorst (midfielder/forward).
The Lady Liberators, whose four-straight district titles is the longest active district title streak in the area, will play only Crocker in a jamboree/scrimmage on March 13 at Lebanon in order to limit exposure of the four teams participating.
Bolivar will open the regular season at Camdenton on March 13, and Fast says he is excited for his team to get back on the pitch.
“They are such a fun group of girls who are very coachable and care about each other,” said Fast, who has a 74-15 record with the Bolivar girls’ program and an overall record of 439-249-27 at Bolivar. “We have a lot of skill, particularly at the mid and forward position. After losing our entire defense, we will have to work hard to replace those girls and build some cohesion and confidence with our defenders. I am confident that our team will be competitive and a lot of fun to watch.”
