By Chris Parker
Numbers are looking strong for a Cassville soccer program coming off a seven-win season.
“We return eight total starters and 12 letterwinners,” Cassville head coach Jake Forste said. “We finished last year with only 16 players on the team. But after losing only one senior to graduation and bringing in nearly two dozen newcomers, we are up to 31 ladies overall this spring. Our suddenly deep numbers have been a rejuvenating force and will be a big team strength for us this season.”
Seniors Emma Berndt and Dre Gosvener will make the offense go at midfield and forward, respectively. Berndt had nine goals and five assists last season. Gosvener contributed three goals and four assists as a junior.
Gosvener will be joined by a combination of seniors Zoe Saylor, Dakotah Anderson and Gracen Hilburn along with sophomore newcomer Kim Hang.
Berndt will share the midfield with French exchange student Rozenn Planchard.
Scott Richardson (senior) is a three-year starter and will lead the defense. Returning letterwinners Tierany Sloan, Isa Rodriguez and Ashley Alonso along with a host of new players including sophomore Tyra Sturgell and junior Elise Ardos are in the mix at defender as well.
Ava Hinson started every game at goalkeeper and will look to hold that position down against as sophomore.
“She (Hinson) is rangy and athletic and will look to take a second-year leap for us,” Forste said. “We have all the confidence in the world in her and look to see what she can do in sophomore year.”
The added numbers have made for fun and competitive early season practices.
“We have over 30 ladies out playing for us this spring, and two-thirds of them are new players,” Forste said. “The growth we are seeing has been pretty rapid and incredible. We have a lot of work to do in getting our new contributors up to speed, but it has been a fun process so far seeing so many new faces fall in love with the game. There is a lot currently unsettled as far as position battles and playstyle, but the picture is becoming more clear each day.”
Cassville opens the season on Mar. 19 against Crocker at Allison Sports Town in Springfield.
“We have a good core of seven seniors, four of whom are four-year players. I like our leadership as well as our overall depth,” Forste said. “I would like to see this team be fundamentally sound at all three levels. If we can do that, we will be a competitive outfit. We had difficulty putting the ball in the net last season, so scoring at a high-level is a top priority for us.”
