By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The 2023 season might have ended earlier than the New Covenant Academy Lady Warriors would have liked, but there is much to be positive about coming into this spring.
“Last year’s season was a positive one, marked by hard-fought matches and valuable learning experiences,” said NCA head coach Eric Crain, who enters his 10th season as the Lady Warriors coach. “However, the team approached each game positively, ready to embrace the challenges ahead.”
The Lady Warriors finished 11-6 overall last season before falling to Osage 3-2 in the first round of the Class 2 District 5 tournament.
“Graduating two starters will bring some changes to our team dynamics,” Crain said. “However, we’re optimistic about the progress made by our younger players, who gained valuable experience that will benefit us in the future. We’re fortunate to have many of our key positional players returning, which provides stability and continuity as we prepare for the upcoming season. With a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, I look forward to what lies ahead.”
Ready to take the pitch for NCA this season includes two seniors, six juniors and five sophomores.
Jocelyn Feola, senior forward – Earned Class 2 All-District 5 first-team honors. “She is a great player and has experience out on the field,” Crain said. “She will split time as a forward and midfielder. She has speed and is aggressive. She understands where we are in the game is what is needed. She is a joy to coach. I’m excited to see what she does this season as a leader.”
Emerson VanDeWege, senior – “She joined our team and picked up the sport just last year, bringing her background in swimming with her. She just wrapped up her season with a strong showing at the state competition. I appreciated her eagerness to learn; she consistently asked questions, keeping me focused on clearly explaining our game strategies.”
Ashlyn Coryell, junior defender – An all-district second-team honoree. “She is a great defender with experience. She will be free to move up into the offense when she feels it’s the right time.”
Izzy Nieman, junior – “She showed a lot of growth last year and it will be fun to watch her this upcoming season.”
Kelby Krug, junior – “She has great foot skills, works hard and will help us control the ball.”
Sarah Garner, junior midfielder – “Another player, who has a great touch and vision for the field, played the outside mid for us.”
Katie Seevers, junior defender – “Katie is a good defender who doesn’t mind mixing up when needed.”
Audrey Cannefax, junior defender – “She is a no-nonsense type of player; she is a multiple sport athlete, and I have enjoyed watching her grow into a leader working her way through the volleyball and basketball seasons. She will do a great job in the backfield, anchoring the girls that are alongside her.”
Ella Armour, sophomore, goalkeeper – Earned all-district second-team honors. “She did a tremendous job for us in the goal. She could be a field player with the touch she has with the ball, but that allows us one extra layer to keep possession by having her between the pipes. She made multiple big saves for us last year that helped the team play more freely.”
Kinsley VanDeWege, sophomore midfielder – “She is just coming off a swimming season, so she will be ready to get on some solid ground. She did a great job starting for us in the center-mid last year and got a lot of valuable playing time that will benefit us this season. I see great things for her.”
Elise McIntyre, sophomore defender – “Another player that started for us as a freshman. She did a great job as an outside defender. She is fast and aggressive and she will be a tremendous help to us again.”
Lola Ingle, sophomore forward – “She is a joy to be around. She got a lot of playing time as a forward last year, which will pay off this season. I’m excited to see what she will accomplish this season.”
Bethany McNaughton, sophomore midfielder – “Came off the bench for us as an outside midfielder and gained a lot of experience. As the season went on, we discovered she wasn’t afraid to get after a ball when we needed the possession back.”
Crain has a couple of freshmen he thinks could make an impact for the Lady Warriors this season.
Peyton Ellis played softball, volleyball and basketball for the Lady Warriors, while Ashlynn Oller, a defender, plays only soccer.
NCA graduated two key players from last year in Katelyn Barstead and Claudia Cannefax, and will not have junior Grace Whalen this season.
Katelyn Barstead, center midfielder – A Class 2 All-Region 3 and Class 2 All-District 5 first-team honoree. “She was a tremendous player for us as a player and leader,” Crain said. “She came up big in some games that ended up being the game-winner.”
Claudia Cannefax, defender – “Despite suffering a knee injury the summer before her senior year, which required surgery and caused her to miss the volleyball season, she showed incredible resilience. Claudia managed to return for the final basketball game of the season, and I had some uncertainties about how her soccer season would unfold. However, Claudia proved to be a fighter. She not only started for us but also played a significant role in shaping the success of our season.”
Grace Whalen, junior – “Grace has decided to focus on volleyball. I appreciate the time she spent with us. It’s something that small schools deal with year to year.”
The Lady Warriors open the regular season with back-to-back games: at home against Lighthouse Senior High on March 18 and on the road at McDonald County on March 19.
“Looking forward, the girls will carry the insights gained from last season into the new season,” Crain said. “They understand the importance of working together as a team and know that unity is key to achieving success on the field.”
