By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Bolivar Liberators are not the big fish in a small pond anymore, but they haven’t back down from a new challenge.
Bolivar enters Year Three as a member of the Ozark Conference. The soccer Liberators have held up well in their new league despite having the smallest enrollment (682 last year).
“Fortunately, we played a few of these (schools) already before we joined the conference so we had some familiarity going in,” said Bolivar coach Steve Fast. “The biggest adjustment has been trying to compete with the big schools in the conference that are nearly double our enrollment size.
“Our teams have stepped up to the challenge, competed well and we have finished in the top half of the standings both years.”
Bolivar returns a slew of players from last year’s 10-win team, including six seniors.
Defenders Ben Tull and Jonathon Peters have starting experience.
Tull, a full-time starter last year, is one of the team’s most consistent players and “plays extremely smart,” Fast said.
Peters, who was a part-time starter while dealing with an injury, is ready for a full, healthy season.
“He plays hard and is a tough defender for us,” Fast said.
Josh Stimpson and Gavin Finnell can play at forward or midfield.
“Josh is a versatile player who gives us quality minutes at multiple positions,” Fast said. “We are looking for a breakout year from him.
“Gavin is one of our fastest players who makes good runs off the ball and has a solid shot.”
Darion Jones and Zane Grey will look to contribute along Bolivar’s backline.
“Darion is ready to make the jump to varsity this year. He is an aggressive defender who will give us quality minutes,” Fast said. “Zane gives us a role player who can play multiple positions.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS
A deep junior class features several returning players with full-time or part-time starting experience on the varsity level.
Jordan Burke is the team’s top returning scorer (seven goals, five assists). Normally a defender, Burke will likely play in multiple spots for the Liberators.
“He plays with a lot of passion and brings high energy to the field,” Fast said.
Kyler Rowe is another full-time returning starter. Rowe, a center mid, “plays with high intensity and is very quick on the ball,” Fast said.
Defender Michael Poterbin will play somewhere along Bolivar’s backline.
“He’s a tough defender and vocal leader for our team,” Fast said.
Connor McClellan, Nate Clark and Cooper Bethell will try to establish themselves in the midfield.
“Connor started part-time for us last season. He’s versatile and can play all four positions on the field if needed,” Fast said. “Nate is a quick, outside mid who does a great job of making runs and serving the ball to his teammates.
“Cooper is another smart player who excels at passing. He also has a good shot from distance.”
Tucker Calvert (defender), Chris Jordan (defender) and Ryver Manes (midfield) will aim to give quality minutes in supporting roles.
Bolivar must find a new starting goalkeeper – either junior Sheldon Avery or sophomore Wyatt Viles.
“Sheldon works hard and gets better each year,” Fast said. “He has the ability to make outstanding saves and he can also compete well as a field player.
“Wyatt is ready to step up into a bigger role this season. He is technically sound, can make the big save and distributes the ball well out of the back.”
Other sophomores competing for varsity minutes include Canyon Adams (forward), Brayden Burke (midfield/defender) and Matt Giglio (forward).
Adams led Bolivar’s JV in scoring last season.
“He’s a very physical player and works hard to get good shots,” Fast said.
Burke gives Bolivar another versatile player to utilize on the field. Giglio (five goals, three assists) became a full-time starter last season after the Liberators lost forward Zach Warwick to injury.
“He’s aggressive but also technical in looking for quality shots on goal,” Fast said.
Bolivar will have a roster makeup that lends itself to unselfish play.
“This will be a good passing team and our strength will be in transition,” Fast said. “This team likes to pass the ball and they strive to find open players while moving the ball around on the field.”
Bolivar finished 10-12 overall last season. The Liberators reached double-digit wins for the third straight season.
Bolivar wasn’t that far off from finishing above .500. The Liberators had five losses by a one-goal margin, including in the district opener against Grandview.
Bolivar graduated a six-player senior class, four of whom earned all-conference honors.
Goalkeeper Trent Arnold, midfielder Colton Rowe, defender Jacob D’Agostino and midfielder Jason Poterbin helped the Liberators win 37 games over the last three years, highlighted by a district title in 2020.
A trio of freshmen could contribute right away. Forwards Nathan Lobdell and Xavier Cox, along with midfielder Peyton Cole, will look to give Bolivar an offensive spark.
“These three guys can provide quality minutes for our team this season,” Fast said. “They have a good understanding of the game and have held their own this summer with the upperclassmen.”
Bolivar will scrimmage Lebanon, Branson and Camdenton (host) in a jamboree on Aug. 18.
The Liberators begin the regular season Aug. 25 with a home match against New Covenant Academy.
“We want to continue to be competitive every game,” Fast said. “We had a lot of close games last season that could have gone either way. Success for us would be to be able to bring our best effort each game while playing with sportsmanship and class.”
