By Brennan Stebbins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Head coach Joshua Thompson knew last spring would be a rebuilding season for Joplin’s girls soccer team. But then the Eagles had injuries to some really important players going into the year, and that meant even more young players had to step up.
“It was more transitional than what we thought going into it,” Thompson said. “We did have a lot of young girls that were able to get some experience at the varsity level so we’re looking forward to seeing what we have this year.”
Joplin finished with an 8-12 record and must replace graduated seniors like Mya Johnson, a forward and goalkeeper who was a second team All-Conference player in the COC and a first team All-District pick in Class 4 District 11. Defender Addison Saunders was a second team All-District player and started every game along with Karen Maturino.
“Those were pretty much our main fixtures we lost,” Thompson said. “We are returning everybody else.”
The list of returners includes junior Paisley Parker, who was an honorable mention All-Conference player in the COC and earned first team All-District honors as a midfielder; and senior Emily Delman, a second team All-District selection as a defender. Parker was the team’s most consistent offensive threat, scoring nearly every one of the team’s goals and assisting on others while also playing as a defender. She’ll primarily be in the midfield this year, and Delman will play in the midfield or along the back line and has been a solid contributor since her freshman year, mostly as a starter.
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Senior Ella Hafer is another key returner who had a “stellar” freshman season but missed her sophomore year due to the pandemic and last season due to injury. She was a second team All-COC player her freshman year. Other senior contributors will be Kayla Talbot, who provided consistent play all over the field last year but mainly plays as a forward; Sophia Schwartz, who played for the first time last year and will help out in goal this season; and Madison Corl, who will help out more this year in the midfield.
The list of returning juniors includes Serafina Auberry, who filled in as keeper last year when Johnson was injured and has been “really great” in offseason workouts. Brynn Driver started every game last year in her first year playing and will contribute as a forward. Jayla Hunter grew a lot as a defender and will help anchor the team’s defense. Jensen Vowels was injured right after last year’s jamboree and will play forward this year; she was slated to start as a freshman.
At the sophomore level the team has Masyn Briggs, who started several games as a midfielder last year; Adeline Dunn, who played a lot as a freshman and will play on the wing; Morgan Ferro, who was “extremely capable” as a freshman; and Ashley Philips, who started the second half last season as a defender in her first year with the sport.
The Eagles also have some freshmen and some incoming transfers who could be a big help.
“Last year we were so focused on really looking at the small improvements and as a group we tried to focus on the improvements that maybe weren’t related to the score line,” Thompson said. “We only came out of last season with eight wins and so this year I think we’re going to see more score lines go in our favor. We’re going to have more tangible success and those little victories are all still going to be a part of us growing but I think this group deserves to see our record reflect their growth. I’m less in rebuilding mode and more getting ready to see what these girls are ready to do.”
Joplin travels to Carl Junction on March 15 for its jamboree. The Eagles travel to the Branson Invitational April 8-9.
