By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
New Covenant Academy was in great shape heading into the 2020 season after a highly successful 2019 campaign that saw the Lady Warriors knock off back-to-back champion Mountain View-Birch Tree Liberty in the district finals and ride that momentum all the way to the Class 1 semifinals.
“I really felt last year’s team was going to be better than the 2019 team because of what we were returning and gaining from the freshman class; nine of the starters were returning,” said New Covenant coach Eric Crain, who is 36-60 with the girls’ program and 138-163-8 with the boys’ at NCA.
The Lady Warriors’ Class of 2020 included what would have been four, four-year starters in goalkeeper Hannah Isbell (all-state first team, region goalkeeper of the year, all-district first team, 73 saves), forward Alicia Batten (7 goals, 6 assists), defenders Sarah Seibert and Aidyn Sikes.
Despite the loss of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lady Warriors have plenty of experience returning to lead them into 2021.
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• Whitley Farquhar, junior, defender – “She missed the last month of the (2019) season due to an illness,” Crain said. “She was selected as team MVP her ninth-grade year. Very intelligent player as a defender. She did all the little things to help the defense play with confidence. I am excited to see her leadership out on the field again.”
• Anna Crain, junior, forward – 18 goals, 4 assists; still weighing her college options. “She is a great player with an outstanding understanding of the game. I’m excited to see her help develop the younger players as the season goes on. She has a lot of experience on the field through high school and club.”
• Aubrey Klemish, senior, midfielder – “Will be a big contributor again this season. She has been a starter since her ninth-grade year. She is a hard worker and understands what needs to be done out on the field.”
• Lillie Bodeen, senior, defender – “A great pickup her sophomore year for us. She worked beside Whitley in the backfield and did a great job taking over the leadership role when we lost Whitley at the end of the season. She is an athlete that loves to compete.”
• Madi Seevers, senior, defender – “She was a big contributor to the success we had in 2019. She received a lot of playing time. Her main sport is volleyball. She is a competitor and will play a big role for us.”
• Macy Seevers, senior, defender – “Another player that was a big contributor to the success we had in 2019. Main sport is also volleyball. She is also a competitor and will play a big role for us either as a defender or as keeper.”
The Lady Warriors, who finished 13-9 in 2019, were expecting big things from Katelyn Barstead as a freshman and are eager to see the impact she will have as a sophomore, in addition to how a handful of freshmen will help this season.
• Katelyn Barstead, sophomore, midfielder – “She was one of newcomers from last year that was going to be a starter as an outside mid. She didn’t take it easy in the offseason. She was able to get a lot of soccer in with her club team.”
• Josie Van Riessen, freshman, midfielder – “She is a soccer player, understands the game, with a great touch on the ball. I am excited to have her on the team because she will compete.”
• Jocelyn Feola, freshman, midfielder/forward – “Another good pickup for us. She is a soccer player that has experience through club.”
• Mallori McBurnie, freshman, forward – “Her main sport is volleyball. She played for our junior high soccer team and was fun to watch. She works hard and will work well with Anna Crain up top.”
The Lady Warriors will open the 2021 season at home on March 23 against McDonald County.
“I know the girls are excited to get out and play,” Crain said. “I know it will be a constant reminder not to take the season for granted. We all have protocols in place to make sure we can get through the season.”
