By Chris Parker
Cassville soccer will look to get back above .500 this year after finishing 5-21 in an injury-filled 2021 season.
“I’d like to see us get back to our winning ways this spring,” Cassville head coach Jake Forste said. “Last year was pretty brutal with injuries; easily the worst injury situation in my combined 11 seasons as a varsity coach. At one point, we had 25 girls on the roster but suited up only 14 for a conference game with 11 out due to injury. If we can stay healthy, I don’t think many teams can match our raw athleticism.”
Leading the charge for Cassville soccer will by Jhandi Shears (midfielder), Landry Parnell (defender/midfielder) and Lexie Sanders (forward).
Forste on Shears: “Jhandi is our engine in the midfield. She is a returning captain and Neosho County CC soccer commit. Jhandi’s ability to score with both feet and assist her teammates (four goals, four assists in ‘21) will be key to our offensive production this spring.”
Forste on Parnell: “Landry is a returning all-district player who was a first-year soccer player last year. Her pure athleticism and work rate earned her a collegiate spot on Drury’s lacrosse team. She brings a relentlessness and tenacity that sets the tone for our defensive unit.”
Forste on Sanders: “Sanders has really developed this off-season into a reliable goal scorer up top. She is an active duty National Guard member. Her military training coupled with dedication to her craft this off-season has her primed mentally and physically for a big senior year.”
Sanders will be joined at forward by seniors Jasmine Brown and Emilee Mann and sophomore Audrey Gosvener.
Forste on Brown: “JB was our ‘keeper for the better part of a year and a half, but an upper body injury shifted her out of goal last season. She is very quick, good with both feet, and is becoming a vocal leader for us. We will look to her in a wide attacking role.”
Forste on Mann: “Emilee has the kind of game-breaking speed that every team looks for. We will try and utilize her in the best way possible to get her into open attacking areas.”
Forste on Gosvener: “Dre is extremely strong and physical. She was a part-time forward in 2021 (one goal), but has taken over as the third piece of our attacking trident. She has been staying after most off-season sessions to work on her craft. I think she takes a big step forward in the goal-scoring department.”
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Shears, Parnell and sophomore Emma Berndt return in the midfield.
“We have good chemistry and a lot of talent in this (midfield) area,” Forste said. “Keeping them healthy and fresh all season will be a priority for us. I anticipate there will be some great competition for the fourth midfield spot.”
Cassville returns its entire back line in Mann, Elizabeth Ray (senior), Dulce Rivera (junior) and Scotlyn Richardson (sophomore). Seniors Avery Crain and Jaycie Ertel along with freshmen Gracen Hilburn and Isabella Rodriguez Muise will also compete for time at defender.
“I think we have the most depth on the defensive side of the field, and there will be some high-level competition for starting roles,” Forste said.
Sophomore Emerson Grossman will be the goalie.
“An unfortunate injury in goal last season threw her (Grossman) into the fire as a freshman,” Forste said. “She improved with each game and is ready for a full season between the sticks. She is six feet tall, has great reach, and is growing more and more confident as a goalkeeper. This will be a position of strength for us in ‘22.”
Team chemistry will be a strength for Cassville.
“We have great team chemistry with this group and an extremely positive team environment,” Forste said. “I love our team culture and positivity; that is our biggest asset as a team. It’s a great feeling when first-year soccer players remark on how welcoming our girls are in this department. I think that is a testament to the leaders we’ve had year-in and year-out. Wins come and go, but I think we have a culture established that will set us up for long-term success.”
Cassville opens the season Mar. 18-19 with its home tournament.
“We will be playing at a frantic pace that will be fun to play and fun to watch, and difficult for other teams to match,” Forste said. “We are excited to get back to work. This group is playing with a chip on its shoulder. Their 2020 season got taken from them (COVID), and last year got derailed by injury. These seniors are hungry and ready to take a big step forward this season.”
