By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The overall record may not have reflected it, but the Marshfield Blue Jays played some of their best soccer toward the end of the 2022 season.
That included winning seven of their last 10 games heading into Class 2 District 5 play, where they lost a first-round match to Monett, 2-1 in double-overtime.
“We finished the season strong last year, playing hard consistently in the second half of the season,” said coach Tom Searson, who enters his 17th year as the Blue Jays’ head coach. “We were competitive in almost every game and finished with a good showing in our district game, even though the outcome was not what we wanted. I was proud of their effort and desire to compete.
“I think that idea of effort and being willing to compete will carry over to this year. I think we also learned from some of our losses and have made note of some things we need to work on for the 2023 season.”
The Blue Jays, who finished 10-14-1 overall and 2-4 in the Big 8 Conference, return a great deal of experience in five seniors, one junior and a sophomore to this year’s lineup.
Easton Arthur, senior, defender – “Easton served in the defense for us last year and really provided a physical presence for us,” Searson said. “I look for him to anchor our defense as a center back this year. Easton is a calm player with a good combination of skill and physicality. I think he will present opponents with a real challenge as he patrols the center of the field.”
Ronin Adams, senior, midfielder – “Ronin spent most of last season as a defensive mid. He has really done well in that position and will continue there this season. He will bring a lot of experience and leadership to the midfield. He will be a good link between our defense and our attack.”
Isaac West, senior, defender – “We moved Isaac back to the defense last season to help provide a solid back four against strong opponents. I look for him to move up to the attacking side of the ball for his senior year. He has good skill and I’m looking forward to what he can do in his new position.”
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Kevin Jones, junior – “Kevin split time with graduate, Joe Harles, last year. He has been very dedicated this last summer and I anticipate him stepping in as the regular starter this year.”
Austin Hoffman, senior, wing – “Austin will continue as a wing player this year. He’s a dependable player that has learned the outside position well. He provided us stability as an outside mid last season and I’m anticipating even more from him this year.”
Isaac Baker, sophomore, forward – “Isaac is a hard-working tough forward who does a good job of putting pressure on defenses. He has a no-quit attitude and loves to get forward. I’m really looking forward to seeing how he progresses in his skill over the next three seasons.”
James Greene, senior, defender – “James will be moving into the varsity defense this season and will be a good complement with Easton in the center of the field. He has improved every year and I think he will have a great senior year.”
Searson also said he has a lot of underclassmen who could make their mark this year and in the future.
“Kannon Cordova, a sophomore, will likely be moving into our defense this year to give us some speed on our back line,” Searson said. “He played an outside mid/forward last year, and his effort and stamina will be a big addition to our defense.
“Ian Admire (goalkeeper), Karter Massie (defender or defensive mid), Ival Bateman (forward) and Colton Ragsdale (midfielder) will all be looking for chances to move up in the lineup this year. All are going to be sophomores and are a big part of the future of our team.
“We have a large group of freshmen who attended summer sessions regularly this summer and it will be very interesting to see which ones can have an impact in the varsity lineup this year. I’m excited about this group, along with our sophomores. I anticipate them all having a big impact over the next couple of years.”
Marshfield graduated a strong class of players last year and will need to find someone to fill the void they left.
“Kelby Hyder (All-Big 8 Conference second team), Michael Mann, Asher Adams (Class 2 All-District 5 second team, All-Big 8 Conference honorable mention), Joe Harles and Connor Bixler (Class 2 All-District 5 first team, All-Big 8 Conference honorable mention) were a solid core group that we have relied on for years,” Searson said. “They had played together since they were little and were a tight group of seniors. There are some major shoes to fill, but I think the returning players are up for that challenge and ready to show what they can do.”
The Blue Jays will participate in a jamboree with New Covenant Academy, Logan-Rogersville and Greenwood on Aug. 18, at the Cooper Soccer Field, and then open the regular season on the road in the Lebanon Kickoff Tournament on Aug. 25-26.
“Based on what I’ve seen this summer, I feel we have a good group of committed players who will work hard this season to improve,” Searson said. “I feel like we will have more speed all over the field this year and this will give us many options on how we defend and how we choose to attack. I think we have a good combination of upperclassmen and underclassmen and I think they will work well together.
“Of course, it will take a little time before everyone starts to settle into their roles on the team, but I think by the second half of the season, we should be looking strong.”
