By Chris Parker
McDonald County returns nine starters and 14 total letterwinners from last season’s one-win team.
The Mustangs will look to take a step forward behind a strong group of senior leaders.
“Senior leadership will be our major strength this season,” McDonald County coach Nathan Haikey said. “This group of seniors has been the backbone of this program for the past three years. Many of them have been four-year varsity players.”
Seniors Anna Clarkson, Mayson Ardemagni, Eh Hser Moo and Mireya Sebastian will be the key forwards.
Isabel Monsalvo (senior), Yulissa Gomez (senior), Cabry Thomas (sophomore) and Alondra De La Torre (sophomore) will be in the midfield.
The defense will feature Grace Walthall (senior), Kaidence Willis (senior), Natalie Gillming (senior), Lilian McGothlin (senior) and Yarecci Quintero (senior).
Joslyn Royce will be the goalkeeper but Natalie Gillming could see time in goal as well.
“All of these players have improved so much since last season,” Haikey said. “Ardemagni and Sebastian are confident and striking the ball really well. Willis is doing a good job of organizing the back line while Walthall, Quintero, and Monsalvo are creating space and finding the correct pass to get the ball into the offensive half of the field as quickly as possible.”
McDonald County opens the season on Mar. 19 at home against New Covenant.
“I expect this group to raise their level of play both individually and collectively, be competitive and challenge every team on the schedule,” Haikey said.
