By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After fielding a young, yet successful lineup in 2022, the Webb City Lady Cardinals are poised to be in the same position this spring.
The Lady Cardinals finished last season 13-9 overall, 2-7 in the Central Ozark Conference before falling to Branson in the semifinals of the Class 3 District 6 Tournament.
“We had the youngest squad we’ve ever had last year, led by our three seniors, and the majority of our starters were freshmen and sophomores,” said coach Nick Harmon, who enters his seventh season at Webb City. “We’ll be even younger this year with only two returning seniors. Despite being so young collectively, we are excited about their potential.”
A few of the key players the Lady Cardinals return include seniors Cree Vaden and Skylar Martin, and juniors Riley Whitehead and Sophia Booher.
● Cree Vaden, senior midfielder. Was the team leader in assists (12) and a second-team all-district pick. “Cree has great passing, spatial awareness and vision,” Harmon said. “She will be our field general this year in the midfield. Cree has more varsity experience than any player on the roster. She was a starter on the most successful team we’ve had in school history three years ago. I anticipate both the players and coach to lean on Cree this year for leadership.”
● Skylar Martin, senior defender. Earned all-district honorable mention honors. “Skylar is a tough defender with varsity experience. She tackles well and isn’t afraid to be physical. We’re expecting her to win physical battles against opposition forwards this year.”
● Riley Whitehead, junior midfielder. “Riley has had a tough two years so far. As a freshman, she worked her way into the starting lineup the year we went 22-4 and made the quarterfinals, but she tore her ACL in the first game. Last year, she was recovering from a broken ankle bone, so this year might be the first full season she gets to play. She’s easily one of the most experienced and talented players we’ve got, so we’re anxious to get her healthy and back out there.”
● Sophia Booher, junior forward. Was the team’s second-leading scorer last year with 10 goals. “Sophia has excellent pace and a rocket of a shot. She made great strides last year as a sophomore playing alongside Anea Bemo, so we expect her to pick up where she left off last year and continue scoring goals for us.”
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Other returnees include: Jenna Schulz, sophomore defender; Kirra Long, sophomore defender; Ruby Channel, sophomore defender; Gabrielle Stodghill, sophomore midfielder and Kaylee Kenney, sophomore midfielder.
“We have a lot of speed and talent up top with multiple players who can finish,” Harmon said. “I think our attacking threats this year will have more balance. Our midfield and our back line are experienced.”
Harmon said he expects several freshmen and sophomores to come out this year and vie for varsity minutes.
“Within that group, there are a number of freshmen and returning JV players who have the potential to challenge for spots at the varsity level,” Harmon said. “With our squad being so young this year and playing time being wide open, we’re excited to watch them compete for spots in the varsity 11.”
The Lady Cardinals lose just three players from the 2022 squad in Anea Bemo, Austyn Mickey and Delaney Duke.
● Anea Bemo (forward) was the team’s leading goal scorer (22) and earned second-team all-state, all-region, first-team all-district and all-conference honors. She is currently playing at William Jewell.
● Austyn Mickey (defender) was named first-team all-district and is playing at Crowder College.
● Delaney Duke (goalkeeper) was an all-region, second-team all-district and honorable mention all-conference selection; now playing at Park University.
“We only graduated three seniors last year, but all three played crucial roles for us their entire high school career,” Harmon said. “Delaney is the best goalkeeper we’ve ever had, Bemo the best forward, and Austyn is the best leader we’ve ever had.
“The key for our group this year is not dwelling on the past or their accomplishments. We expect this group to learn from Anea, Delaney and Austyn, but this year is about this group of players and what they can accomplish. Despite our youth, we have talent and we’re excited to see players step up and fill those roles.”
Webb City will be participating in a jamboree at Carl Junction with Joplin and Carthage on March 14 before opening the regular season in the Lebanon Tournament on March 17-18.
“We have a good collective team mentality,” Harmon said. “If they can continue to work hard and take things one day at a time, we will show tremendous growth throughout the course of the season. By the time we get to the postseason, I believe we will be ready to make a run.”
