By Chris Parker
Laquey soccer is poised to make a run at a second consecutive district title with eight varsity starters and 13 letter winners returning this season.
“We will lean heavily on a strong returning group of seniors to lead this year’s team, they have a lot of experience, and have been playing together for a long time now,” Laquey head coach Aaron Thier said.
Up top, a pair of seniors in Hannah Thier and Alexis Shelton will lead the attack at forward. Thier was named first-team all-state and region offensive player of the year after scoring 17 goals and accounting for 17 more assists last season. Shelton was an all-region honoree on the strength of her 17 goals and nine assists.
Second-team all-state honoree Adrienne Miller, who led Laquey in goals last season, will play center mid. She scored 22 goals with 12 assists last season. Sophomore Kaelyn Jones, who had 19 goals and 15 assists last season, will be at the wing and see some time up top as well. Hailey Dennis (junior), Brooke Fowers (senior) and Emma Tolbert (senior) round out the midfield.
Junior Saleena Denny returns at defender after an all-region selection last season. Olivia Boevingloh will also be back at defender.
The rest of the defense is open to a competition.
“This is the part of the field where we will have some serious battles for positioning going on,” Coach Thier said. “There are several incoming players and returners that will be fighting for playing time to fill the rest of the spots.”
Brooke Fowers and Emma Tolbert both saw action at goalie last year. Newcomers could also impact the position.
“Our strengths will be in our discipline, our dedication to the process, and our commitment to the goals we set for ourselves,” Thier said. “Our focus will be on team unity and mental toughness. If we can come together stronger in those areas, then the tactical things on the pitch will fall into place. We have lofty goals and high expectations, and it is a long season.”
Laquey opens the season on Mar. 16 at Battle.
“There is a lot of excitement around this season, and some high expectations,” Thier said. “I always say there is a difference between getting beat and losing. Being beat means the team we played earned it. I can promise we will do our best to not lose any games this year. We may get beat, but the goal is to never lose.”
