By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Camdenton Lady Lakers will look to ride the momentum built during the 2023 season into 2024, including the return of two players from injury.
“We continued to improve and grow as a program in the 2023 season,” said Camdenton coach Tyler Sevon, who is eight wins from 200 for his career and enters his fourth season at the helm. “We saw our scoring output significantly increase from the previous season. We had two, key season-ending injuries to starting center midfielders that really hurt and they both look to rebound and have a great spring.”
The Lady Lakers, who improved to 12-13 overall and 5-5 (fifth place) in the Ozark Conference, return five seniors, one junior and one sophomore to the pitch this spring.
Makenna Brauer, senior midfielder – Scored 3 goals and added 13 assists; earned Class 3 All-District 5 and All-Ozark Conference first-team honors. “Makenna has great vision on the field and is an excellent passer,” Sevon said. “She has fully made the transition from defense to center midfield for us. She helps us control the flow of the game in the middle of the field.”
Zoe Lockhert, senior forward – Scored 24 goals with 5 assists; named Class 3 All-Region 3, all-district and all-conference first team. “Zoe started the season playing center back and we needed to score more goals and that is exactly what she did. The first 11 games, she scored two while playing center back, and the last 14 games while playing striker, she scored 22 goals. She has the size and speed to bully defenders and knows how to finish.”
Addy Clay, senior midfielder – Scored 11 goals with 12 assists; named all-district first team and all-conference second team. “Addy’s junior season was cut short due to an injury. At the time, she was leading our team in goals scored and assists. She is a gamer and I love the competitive fire she brings to our team. She will do whatever is needed, whether that is score goals, defend or play a great set piece into the box.”
Kyla Kirby, junior midfielder – Scored 1 goal with 1 assist. “Kyla was another starter that had her season cut short. She is a very good holding midfielder who is great at defending and advancing the ball forward.”
Abby Rapier, senior defender – “Abby continued to grow as a player last year and made great strides as a defender. We expect her to be one of our anchors at center back this year.”
Ariana Delgado, junior goalkeeper – Recorded 78 saves and 5 shutouts. “Delgado shifted from the field to varsity goalkeeper in her sophomore year. I thought she did a great job and will look to build off her first year in the net.”
Jakata Haynes, sophomore defender – “Jakata was our lone freshman on our entire team last year. Due to some injuries on defense, she came in and did a great job. We are looking forward to her having a solid year as an outside back.”
Lilli Sutterer, senior midfielder – “Lilli comes back after a year away and has had a great preseason. We look forward to having her back and she will contribute right away.”
Sevon has several newcomers who could contribute this spring, including a junior and five freshmen.
Kylie Bentley, junior defender – “Kylie is a Laker volleyball player who has had an awesome preseason with us and is looking forward to her first soccer season,” Sevon said. “She will contribute immediately on our backline and play some big minutes. She is athletic and a very fast learner.”
Sophie Radlund, freshman midfielder – “Sophie is very skilled with the ball at her feet and has a great shot. She will push older players for varsity minutes right out of the gate.”
Bella Faes, freshman goalkeeper – “Bella has great reaction speed with her hands and she has the ability to save any ball. She will also be an option on the field playing defense, if we need her.”
Brooklyn Meents, freshman defender – “Brooklyn is a strong defender and always willing to go into a hard tackle.”
Lilly Roberts, freshman forward – “Lilly has the attacking instincts to be able to play as a forward and has a good first touch.”
Kylie Labelle, freshman midfielder – “Kylie does a good job playing simple and not trying to do too much on the ball.”
“Our incoming freshmen really impressed this summer in our 7-v-7 league that we play in,” Sevon said. “They did a great job of playing against varsity talent and learned some valuable lessons that will help them see some varsity minutes as soon as this year.”
This season, Camdenton will need to replace two all-district and all-conference performers lost to graduation.
Ella Smith, midfielder – Scored 15 goals with 14 assists; earned all-district first-team and all-conference second-team honors. “Ella had a successful senior season and was a key for us offensively. We will look to replace her playmaking ability.”
Rylee Hinton, defender – Contributed 3 assists; named Class 3 all-district and all-conference honorable mention. “Rylee had an awesome senior year switching to center back. She was a great leader for the back line. She played defense this past fall at Westminster College.”
The Lady Lakers will host a jamboree with Dixon, Rolla and Waynesville on March 11 before opening the regular season at Capital City on March 15.
“I think our senior leadership will be a big-time strength for us,” Sevon said. “We have a great group of seniors and they want to win. They aren’t here just to play and move on; they have a desire to win at all costs.
“This is year four coaching at Camdenton for me, so the players have a real familiarity with what we are trying to accomplish and how we approach everything that we do. I am looking forward to a great season and am very excited about the collection of talent that we have.”
