By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The New Covenant Academy Warriors rebounded in 2022 from a “down” year (2021) for the program.
After finishing third in Class 1 in 2020, the Warriors finished 13-8 and lost in the first round of the Class 1 District Tournament the following season. And like most teams, they suffered some tough losses in 2022 – both game-wise and injury-wise – but were able to turn the season into a successful outcome.
NCA bounced back in a big way by advancing all the way to the final four where they finished fourth after a close 1-0 loss to Bishop DuBourg.
“Overall, the 2022 season was a mixture of ups and downs, with the team facing challenges but learning from them and ultimately performing well as the season progressed,” said coach Eric Crain, who enters his 17th season at New Covenant. “The experience gained during the regular season matches against postseason opponents played a crucial role in the team’s preparation for the postseason.
The preparation for a successful 2023 starts with the leadership of the Warriors’ returning players.
Trey Farquhar, junior, center-defense – “He will lead our team this season,” Crain said. “He has put much time on the field to improve, but more importantly, he has built a relationship with his teammates that will make a difference on the field.”
Dalton Anderson, junior, forward – Earned Class 1 All-State first team, Class 1 All-Region 3 co-Offensive Player of the Year/first team, Class 1 All-District 6 first team honors.
Zane Winslow, junior, center-midfielder – Class 1 All-State second team, Class 1 All-Region 3 first team and Class 1 All-District 6 first team. “He will play a major factor in our team’s success. He has an amazing touch on the ball, field awareness and he is a hard worker.”
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Grayson Bartlotti, senior, forward – Class 1 All-Region 3 first team and Class 1 All-District 6 first team. “It was fun watching Grayson play last year. He leads our team in assists, and I loved his excitement when he would get one. He gets it!”
Cole Stennett, sophomore, center-defense and forward – “He got a lot of playing time last season and greatly impacted us. He also has put much time this past spring and summer to improve. I’m excited to see what he will do this fall for us. No matter where I decide to place him, he will make a difference.”
Coach Crain will be looking to a few upperclassmen, as well as some freshmen to contribute this fall.
Gavin Berry, senior – “He was new to us last year and helped us up top,” Crain said. “He will see a lot more playing time this season.”
Owen Davis, junior – “He comes from a long line of Davises that have come through the program. He did a tremendous job last year when we went through the injuries. This is his year to continue the name his brothers have made for themselves.”
Freshmen – “We have a good group of freshmen that have made it to our open fields this summer. A lot of them will make an impact right from the get-go.”
The Warriors will be without a couple of players who were key to their postseason run last fall. Jackson Roberts transferred and Jack O’Dell will be focusing on tennis this school year, and will difficult to replace, Crain said.
Crain said the Warriors have “six big holes to fill” with the graduation of the Class of 2023.
Gone are Seth Smothers (defender) was a Class 1 All-State first team, Class 1 All-Region 3 Defensive Player of the Year/first team and Class 1 District 6 first team selection; Landon Cummings (forward) Class 1 All-Region 3 first team, Class 1 All-District 6 first team; Levi Nichols (outside midfielder) Class 1 All-District 6 second team; Carson Rice, Elijah Davis and Paxson Krug, also will be missed this fall.
“We will miss their leadership,” Crain said. “They led on the field and in the classroom.”
NCA will participate in a jamboree hosted by Greenwood on Aug. 18 at Cooper Soccer Complex, with Marshfield and Logan-Rogersville before opening the season at home against Bolivar on Aug. 26.
“The lessons learned and experiences from the 2022 season provide a solid foundation for our team to build upon in 2023,” Crain said. “By applying these takeaways and continually striving for improvement, our team has the potential to perform even better in the upcoming season and make significant strides toward success.”
