By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Waynesville Lady Tigers are looking to turn things around as they head into the 2022 season. The Lady Tigers haven’t had a winning season since 2013, with their last district title coming in 2012.
The Lady Tigers, who finished 4-16-1 overall and 3-6 in the Ozark Conference last season, will have to replace all-district performers and 2021 graduates in goalkeeper Vanessa Blake and midfielder Cristaliz Soto.
Vanessa Blake earned Class 4 District 10 first-team and All-Ozark Conference first-team honors, while Cristaliz Soto was an all-district second team and all-conference honorable mention selection.
“Right now, finding someone to step up and fill the void left by Vanessa Blake in the goal has been challenging,” said Waynesville coach John Box, who is in his 23rd year coaching girls’ soccer. “Vanessa was the driving force that kept us in games during the 2021 season.”
Box said energy will be his team’s biggest strength this season as the Lady Tigers will look to key returnees Macy Henry, Skye Scott and Allison Secret to lead the way.
“This year, we are cautiously optimistic about the season,” Box said. “We still have some key rolls to fill, but each season has its own surprises.
“The energy level brought to the field is one of our key strengths. The girls work hard and put forth maximum effort during practices and games, and I would say that is one of our greatest strengths.”
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• Mary Henry, senior, midfielder – All-district first team; all-conference second team. “Mary holds the middle for the Tigers,” Box said. “Her presence and work rate are instrumental in creating a workable tempo on the field.”
• Skye Scott, junior, defender – All-district second team – “Skye is a rock-solid defender who is not afraid to engage the opposition. Her presence in the backfield will be a key to winning games this season.”
• Allison Secrest, junior. “Allison is very talented and has the potential to be a game-changer for the team.”
Box said the Lady Tigers have several newcomers this season but that it’s too early to know what their impact will be.
But, one of the challenges Waynesville has faced recently is scoring. The Lady Tigers were shut out in 12 of their 21 games last season.
“Finding the back of the net was a challenge for us last year, and I suspect that it will be a challenge for us again this year,” Box said. “We had several opportunities on a counter-attack last season that resulted in 1v1 situations with the opposition’s keeper, but we just couldn’t find the net. We are hoping to correct that issue this year.”
The Lady Tigers will host a jamboree on March 14 with Camdenton, Dixon and Rolla. They will kick off the 2022 season in the Ozark Quad where they will face Ozark, Battle and Columbia Hickman on March 19.
Box said getting the team back to winning form is a priority this season.
“We have a good mix of home and away games, with some minor changes to the schedule, but it does appear to be promising for the Lady Tigers,” Box said.
