By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Logan-Rogersville Lady Wildcats had an exciting postseason run during the 2023 season and are eager for a shot at a return trip.
The Lady Wildcats captured their second-straight Class 2 District 5 championship by shutting out each opponent before falling to Pleasant Hill 4-2 in the state quarterfinals.
“Last year, we had a really nice year, winning some big games against some solid teams,” said Logan-Rogersville head coach Brett Wubbena, who enters year 17 with the Wildcats. “For the second year in a row, we ended the season with some key injuries that hindered us in our last games. I think that, with the number of underclassmen last year and new players, we were a bit star-struck in our quarterfinal game and that cost us in the first half before we had a chance to settle in. We liked to sit back and let the Wood girls (Nikki and Kita) do all the heavy lifting. We were capable, just not confident.
“Our goal this year is to preach to the team to expect more and work harder to achieve it. Overall, we have a lot of excitement going into this season.”
The all-state Wood sisters were a major factor in the Lady Wildcats’ success, but Wubbena returns the rest of the 2023 roster that finished 19-7 overall and 5-1 in the Big 8 Conference. That roster includes seven seniors, two juniors and five sophomores.
Aisley James, senior defender – Earned Class 2 All-Region 3, Class 2 All-District 5 and Big 8 Conference first-team honors. “Aisley has improved every year and this year she looks to be a team leader,” Wubbena said. “She knows the game well and is aggressive; a solid defender.”
Alex Wubbena, senior midfielder – Named all-district and all-conference second team. “Alex is coming off a year that she was injured and looks right now to be in good form. She has proven to be a huge disruption to the opponents’ attack; a great team player and leader.”
Lydia Coryell, senior midfielder – An all-district and all-conference second-team selection. “Looks to build on a good year last year. She brings a lot of intensity to the midfield.”
Allie Richter, sophomore defender – Earned all-district second-team and all-conference honorable-mention honors. “Allie is truly an up-and-comer. She can play several positions. She is becoming a difference-maker quickly. Right now, she is penciled in the center back role with Aisley – that’s a pretty solid center duo.”
Chayla Perry, senior – All-district first team and all-conference second team. “Not really sure where Chayla will play, but she will play. She can play most places on the field because of her athleticism and never-quit attitude. Last year, we played her in the goal, but part of me wonders if she has more to offer on the field.”
Madeyln MacPherson, junior midfielder – All-district first team and all-conference second team. “Madeyln was fantastic last year and looks to have an even better year this year. She has great control and dribbling ability.”
Others returning this spring include: Kennedy Hays, senior wing – “Kennedy is a quiet, solid player;” Sydney Wubbena, sophomore, midfielder; Rainee Noel, junior, midfielder – “She can cross the ball like no other;” Taylor Wray, sophomore; Macey Holland, sophomore, wing; Abbi Perkins, sophomore, defender; Sam Kendall, senior goalkeeper – “Sam is looking to win our keeper spot. Last year, she spent some time in the goal and did a fine job;” Sierra Finley, senior – “Sierra has spent a lot of time working on soccer and is hoping to have some quality time on the pitch this season.”
Wubbena believes his Lady Wildcats will be competitive again in 2024.
“We have a good goal scorer, a solid defense and an aggressive midfield,” said Wubbena, who is just three wins from a career 400. “I have talked at length to the girls about believing in yourself and working hard in preparation. I think that we have a couple of good leaders this year that will help get intensity out of this group.”
Wubbena thinks freshman forward Maddie Lou Shuburte could be a major factor for Logan-Rogersville this spring.
“Maddie is already a fantastic player who knows how to score,” Wubbena said. “We have some solid goal-scorers in the area; I think Maddie is up there with all of them.”
But navigating a new season without the Wood twins, both now playing for Avila University, will be a tall task for the Lady Wildcats.
Nikki Wood, a forward, earned all-state first-team, all-region Co-Offensive Player of the Year, all-district first-team and all-conference Player of the Year and first-team honors. Kita Wood, a midfielder, was all-state second team, all-region, all-district and all-conference first team.
“Both of these girls will be hugely missed,” Wubbena said. “The team loved them. Nikki scored a lot of goals in her career and Kita had so many assists. They were on the field most every game and were a lot of fun to watch. With those two on the field, we always had a chance to win.”
Logan-Rogersville, which is 12 wins away from 200 for the program, will participate in a jamboree at Ozark with Catholic and Laquey, before opening the regular season in the Lebanon Tournament on March 15-16.
“We have been fortunate the past couple of years to beat a couple of really good teams,” Wubbena said. “Those teams are better again this year, so we will have to find our identity without Nikki and Kita quickly. We will be different, but I think in some respects, we could be better.”
