By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The New Covenant Academy Warriors cleared two elusive hurdles last season.
NCA won its first district championship in more than a decade.
Not satisfied, the Warriors won their opening playoff game to reach the state final four for the first time in program history.
For a repeat to occur this fall, the Warriors must retool their lineup.
While it may look like a work-in-progress at times, coach Eric Crain said the Springfield private school should be playing its best soccer when it matters most.
“We will still be able to possess the ball, move it side to side and (wait) patiently for the right time to attack,” he said. “It will take us some time to get used to playing with each other again, but hopefully we will be at the top of our game at the end of the season.”
Three seniors lead the way for NCA: Josiah Barstead, Wade Van Riessen and Spencer Chevalier.
Chevalier will shift from goal scorer to offensive orchestrator this season. He tallied 18 goals and five assists in 2020.
“He will be asked to change his role this year. We want him to lead the team in assists and not just look to score,” Crain said. “He has great touch on the ball and understands the style we play.”
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Barstead (seven goals, three assists in 2020) and Van Riessen will anchor a rebuilt NCA defense. Both are four-year starters.
“They understand the game and work well with each other,” Crain said. “The question will be who will be back there with them.”
Crain’s counting upon the senior trio for leadership. NCA graduated four seniors from its 2020 starting lineup, three of which earned all-state honors.
“Josiah, Wade and Spencer will do a great job of leading our team,” Crain said. “They have started since their freshman year, so they know what to expect. It will be hard to fill the four players we graduated.”
The Warriors return a solid junior class, most of which were varsity starters or contributors as sophomores.
Seth Smothers had 12 goals and 12 assists at forward last season. Smothers’ versatility could move him to a defensive role this fall.
“Seth did a great job (last season) scoring and finding other open players,” Crain said. “He’s also a great defender, so there is a possibility that he will back since we have those positions open. We will see what’s best for the team.”
Midfielder Landon Cummings (four goals, two assists) shined in a supporting role last season.
“His role will change to being more of a leader in that center mid position,” Crain said.
NCA returns another starting midfielder in Levi Nichols (five goals, two assists).
“He did a great job spreading the field for us and keeping possession,” Crain said. “He understands the game well.”
Eli Davis and Logan Dille played multiple positions last year and will look to make bigger contributions this fall, along with classmate Paxson Krug.
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NCA’s sophomore class features Jackson McRoberts and Ayden Meadows. McRoberts is a multi-sport athlete (basketball, golf) who finished with six goals and three assists last season.
“He’s strong on the ball, fast and has a (powerful) shot,” Crain said.
NCA comes off a historic season. The Warriors finished 16-5 overall and won their first district title since 2007.
NCA beat Fatima 2-0 in the Class 1 quarterfinals before falling to Southern Boone in the semifinals.
The Warriors must replace a senior class that had three all-state players: forward Dake Winslow, defender Kaden Moore and goalkeeper Dillon Dougherty. NCA also graduated a fourth starter in defender Ethan Davis.
Winslow earned regional player of the year honors; Dougherty was regional goalkeeper of the year.
NCA adds two freshmen who should be immediate contributors: Dalton Anderson and Zane Winslow. Both players have a soccer background.
“I’m excited to have Dalton on the team; I’ve been able to watch him grow up,” Crain said. “He’s a leader, smart player and has great touch and speed.
“Zane’s a great kid, always smiling out on the field, but he has a competitive side and wants to win. He has a great understanding of the game and sees the field with great control.”
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The Warriors will play Greenwood, Marshfield and Logan-Rogersville in a jamboree scrimmage on August 20 at Cooper Soccer Complex in Springfield.
NCA begins the regular season August 27 at Bolivar.
NCA then heads into a busy September schedule.
The Warriors will participate in three tournaments over a four-week stretch: the Cassville Classic (August 31-September 4), the NCA Warrior Soccer Classic (September 9-11) and the Springfield Catholic Showcase (September 17-18).
