By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
No team likes to endure an injury-filled season, but for the Bolivar Lady Liberators, it provided experience for younger players to not only help the team last season but also in 2024.
“We went into the season without our leading scorer (Claire Giglio) and that really affected us most of the season,” said Bolivar head coach Steve Fast, who enters his eighth and final season as the girls’ head coach and finished No. 28 with the boys. “Even in games we dominated possession, we would still only score a goal or two. It was difficult most games to get that first goal punched in. We were just too young and inexperienced at the forward position.
“Due to injuries, we had to play several young players that were not quite ready for full-time varsity action. Those players got better and stronger as the season progressed and I believe that will help us for this season.”
The Lady Liberators finished 16-7 overall and 5-5 (fifth place) in the Ozark Conference and exited the district tournament early with an 8-0 loss to Union in Class 3 District 5.
“We were a very small Class 3 team and our district was brutal, with most of the schools much larger than us and coming from metro city areas,” said Fast, who is 128-38-0 with the girls’ program and 536-299-27 overall for his career.
But with the return of Giglio and a roster full of experience, Fast is confident that his team will again be competitive this season.
Sahara Adams, senior defender – Scored 11 goals and added 2 assists; earned Class 3 All-Region 3, Class 3 All-District 5 and All-Ozark Conference first-team honors. “Sahara is a former all-stater her freshman and sophomore year and region defensive player of the year,” Fast said. “Last year, we depended on her in many ways and she played multiple positions. With the loss of Giglio, we struggled to score and we relied on her to either score from her defensive position or move her up to midfield or forward to provide scoring opportunities. She is a great leader and works hard to make her teammates better and tries to help them succeed.”
Claire Giglio, senior forward – “Claire tore her ACL in the last game of the basketball season, so we did not have her at all last year. It was a major loss for us because she was our leading scorer the previous year. We missed her toughness, leadership and scoring ability, greatly. We are very excited to have her back this season and we look forward to watching her get back to scoring goals.”
Mady Niven, senior midfielder – Named Class 3 All-District 5 Honorable Mention and All-OC second team. “Mady is a very versatile player and we actually moved her back to defense for most of the season. She had a solid season and was one of our more consistent players over the course of the season.”
Ellie Thomas, senior midfielder – “Ellie has a high soccer IQ and is very good at distributing the ball out of the midfield. She is also one of our best free-kick takers and is very good at placing the ball on frame.”
Ese Jones, senior defender – Scored 3 goals with 2 assists; was an all-district and all-conference first-team honoree. “Ese returned from an ACL injury last year and had a great year as our center back. She is a good leader and helps other defenders stay organized. She often takes on opponents’ best forwards and it is fun to watch those players battle all game.”
Stella Scowden, junior forward – “Stella is one of our faster players and she provides us with a lot of opportunities from her outside-mid position. She can also fill in at forward if needed.”
Jaylena Baker, junior midfielder – Scored 5 goals with 2 assists. “Jaylena had to grow up quickly last year with the injury to Giglio. She is one of our hardest workers and she plays with relentless effort. She is extremely versatile and can play all three field positions. We look for her to have a breakout season this year.”
Ellen Garber, junior defender – “Ellen was having an outstanding season, but a mid-season injury sidelined her for a while. She is back to 100 percent and is ready to compete at a high level. She plays hard and is physical with opposing forwards. We look to the energy she brings our team.”
Zoe Warden, junior goalkeeper – Recorded 11 shutouts and earned all-conference second-team honors. “Zoe had an outstanding year last season in her first year as starting goalkeeper. Zoe is vocal and a good leader. She has the ability to make outstanding saves and is a technically sound keeper.”
“The camaraderie of this group is incredible and they want to see each other have success,” Fast said. “They will work hard and play hard every game.”
The Lady Liberators also have a large group that could contribute more varsity minutes this season in seniors Bella Mayfield (forward) and Allasandra Chalco (midfielder); juniors Brynn Gardner (forward), Jadyn Brown (defender), Ava Pastore (defender), Skye Yates (midfielder) and Myla Everson (midfielder); and sophomores Ashlynn Santoro (forward), Peyton Corum (defender) and Josie Thomas (defender).
“These seniors, juniors and sophomores were key contributors to a successful (junior varsity) season last year,” Fast said. “Mayfield, Yates, Corum, Santoro and Gardner worked their way into the varsity lineup regularly, especially late in the season. We look forward to watching them grow, compete and complement our team more at the varsity level this year.”
In addition, a trio of freshmen including Sophia Garber, Abby Clark and Zoe Tull could also make an impact on varsity this spring.
“These freshmen are solid players that will contribute to the team in many ways,” Fast said. “They will provide good competition within our team and I look forward to watching them challenge for varsity playing time.”
Bolivar loses three players from the Class of 2023 and one who graduated in December in Scarlett Bachman, a midfielder and all-conference honorable mention selection.
Brynly Waters, midfielder – “A good leader and consistent player at midfield,” Fast said. “She was also our primary corner kicker.”
Sophie Vestal, midfielder – All-district and all-conference honorable mention selection and three-year starter at center mid. “Tremendous leader for our team on and off the field. She was a huge contributor to our team in numerous ways and she will be tough to replace.”
Taygon Morgan, forward – “She was one of those feisty little players that always worked extremely hard. Her speed on and off the ball will be missed.”
Bolivar will participate in a jamboree at Lebanon with Marshfield and Crocker about a week prior to opening the regular season on the road at Warrensburg on March 15.
“We have solid players at every position,” Fast said. “We look to build depth and skill at each position. If we can avoid the injury bug this year, we will be very competitive each game at the varsity and JV level. We have a large group who enjoy each other and work well together.”
