By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The success the Ozark Tigers experienced in 2023 has Zack Owens’ squad hungry to go even farther in 2024.
The Tigers, who finished the season 24-3-2 overall and 9-0 in the Central Ozark Conference, advanced to the Class 4 quarterfinals where they came up short against eventual state champion Rockhurst (2-1), which won its third-straight state title and went on to win a national championship.
“Our strength was not determined by any one player but as a team overall,” said Owens, who enters his fifth season at the helm and is four wins from 100 for his career overall. “We had talent across the field in our starters and their hard work and determination to be successful showed through in their match play.”
The Tigers scored 127 goals, which was the most in Ozark boys’ soccer history, and had the most individual player awards in program history as well. They also captured their first district championship since 2020 with a 3-1 win over COC rival Nixa.
While Ozark graduated a highly decorated class, the Tigers return several players with varsity experience, including three seniors and a large junior class, to the pitch this season.
Alex Williams, senior forward – Scored 21 goals with 6 assists; earned Class 4 District 5 first-team and All-Central Ozark Conference first-team honors. “Alex will be our main threat this season and we can use him in several different ways,” Owens said. “We are excited for his senior season and to see his leadership shine through. He is coming off a big club season and that momentum will be big for us this fall.”
Carson Sandgren, junior goalkeeper – Class 4 District 5 honorable mention. “Carson is going into his junior year with a full season of varsity under his belt and did a wonderful job at it for us. We can’t wait to see his improvement and leadership on the field this season. He has improved tremendously in the offseason from school ball, and it has shown so far in summer workouts and open fields.”
Micah Thrasher, senior midfielder – 10 goals, 3 assists. “Micah is going to be a force to be reckoned with this season with his relentlessness on the field offensively and defensively. He is going to need to step up for us in the attack and work alongside the others to accomplish our goals. Micah is that player you absolutely hate playing against and are extremely happy to have him on your team. We love that about him.”
Landon Morrow, senior defender – “In Landon’s senior year this fall he is ready to step into a starting defensive position. He has been working toward this for years and it shows. He had to sit behind a successful group of players these last two years on varsity and has learned a ton. He will need to make sure to be a vocal leader for us on the back line. We are excited to see him on the field and shutting teams down this year.”
Simon Yates, junior forward – “In the past on JV, Simon has been an offensive powerhouse. He may find some time in the attack on varsity this season, but in club, he plays an outside back for his ECNL team. That might be where he is needed most this season for us in school ball. We are lucky to have him because he can do both if needed. (We’re) looking forward to seeing his success this year, wherever it comes from.”
James Nemeti, junior midfielder – “James will be someone looked at to really step up for us this season on varsity. He has the speed and capability to be a great attack-minded weapon. Consistency in his play will see him fight for a starting spot in this lineup.”
Brady Schupp, junior midfielder – “Brady is another one of our players with some varsity experience coming into this season and will be a huge help for us. He will be looked at as a leader for us on the field and to help us grow throughout the season as a team. We can utilize him in many different positions, and we may see him moving around the pitch versus certain teams. He has a fight and tenacity in him that will be hard to handle for opposing players.”
Luke Stanton, junior midfielder/forward – “Luke will be a big help in our midfield. He has great touch, good vision and can be pretty patient with the ball at his feet while looking for the right moments. He is going to be a good weapon for us this season.”
Jesse Lepant, junior defender – “We are looking forward to another Lepant in the mix stepping up and being a go-to player. His older siblings are no strangers to needing to come alive and be big for us when called upon. We are excited to see where his skillset is needed most for us this season, as he is another player that can be successful in most any position.”
Seth Peeples, junior defender – “Seth will be stepping into his first real varsity experience. He will be fighting for minutes on the defensive side and with our ever-evolving new squad, he could find some major time this season. He is very pacey and quick on the field and that will be a big help to us this year.”
Ian Soto, sophomore midfielder – “Ian helped control our midfield last year on a very successful JV team that went 18-3-1. We will need him to move past that and become a go-to player for us on varsity this go-round. He is a hard worker, had a successful club season, and is ready to get this high school season started.”
The Tigers have several players with high-level club experience who Owens is counting on to step up for the team, as well as individually, for Ozark to be successful.
“When losing a large senior class like we did, it opens up many spots that need to be filled,” said Owens, who also earned Coach of the Year honors for Class 4 Region 3, Class 4 District 5 and Missouri Select (large class). “I love that we have had so much consistency this summer at weights, conditioning and open field/scrimmages. I know we have boys ready to compete and fight for positions and time. That hunger and drive will keep us competing internally all season and it will only make us stronger as a whole.”
That hunger and drive has carried over to the Tiger newcomers.
Ben Long, senior defender/midfielder – “Ben was injured for us last season but would have found varsity minutes throughout the season,” Owens said. “We will need him to be big-time for us this season as a leader, player and someone who just produces overall for us.”
Trey Burton, junior midfielder – “Trey has grown athletically and physically. We will look for him to join in on varsity and give us good moments, however he ends up being used. He can play most positions and might be another utility player for us, depending on what we need in certain scenarios.”
Kaden Chapman, junior midfielder – “Kaden has also grown in his play and athleticism. We will be looking for him to step up and earn some varsity time throughout the season; excited to see what we get from him.”
Evan Growcock, junior defender – “Evan is a good defender for us and has done well for us at the JV level. We will be looking to get him some varsity time and start getting him that experience this season.”
Jackson Longley, senior midfielder – “Jackson suffered an injury in a summer scrimmage and we are awaiting the final verdict on how it is going to affect his season. He has worked very hard in the offseason to prepare for this season, and we are hoping he is able to get back to it at some point.”
Kian Sorlie, sophomore midfielder – “Kian is an extremely smart player and another one that really controlled our midfield last season on JV. We will be looking for him to come in and get some quality minutes for us on varsity. However, he could be one in the mix for starting time depending on his play and what he can prove to us.”
Owens said there are several other players who could be in the mix, including Kannon Williams, Eli Metcalf, Ivan Shapoval, Sebastian Villareal, Michael Seu, Greyson Euliss and Carter Rickard.
“I have been talking to the team about what is important to us as a team this season and it boils down to this: It is about moments, not minutes; meaning what is each individual going to do with the moments they are given,” Owens said. “It is not about how many minutes they play or if they are starters, etc. What makes them good teammates, quality players and people we can rely on is what they do in the moments they are given.
“With so many new players in the mix this year, we may see different lineups often. We will have to go with the players that are most in-form and that could change throughout the season.”
Ozark has some big shoes to fill with the graduation of the Class of 2024 whose members each earned postseason honors.
Caleb Lepant, forward – Scored 38 goals with 10 assists; named Class 4 All-State first team, Class 4 All-Region 3 Offensive Player of the Year/first team, Class 4 District 5 Offensive Player of the Year/first team and All-Central Ozark Conference first team; playing soccer at Missouri S&T in Rolla.
Phin Scott, midfielder – 24 goals, 14 assists, United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America, Class 4 All-State second team, Class 4 All-Region 3, Class 4 District 5 Most Valuable Player/first team and All-Central Ozark Conference first team.
August McComas, defender – Class 4 All-State second team, Class 4 All-Region 3, Class 4 District 5 Co-Defensive Player of the Year/first team and All-Central Ozark Conference first team.
Connor Cummings, defender – Class 4 District 5 Co-Defensive Player of the Year/first team and All-Central Ozark Conference first team.
Jake Garner, defender – Class 4 District 5 first team and All-Central Ozark Conference second team.
Caden McGehee, defender – Class 4 District 5 first team and All-Central Ozark Conference second team; playing baseball at Mission University in Springfield.
Jason Martin, midfielder – Class 4 District 5 honorable mention.
The Tigers will participate in a jamboree with Parkview, Republic and Central before opening the regular season at home against Jefferson City teams Helias Catholic on Sept. 5 and Capital City on Sept. 6. Ozark also will host Rockhurst on Oct. 18 in a rematch of the Class 4 quarterfinals, as well as St. Louis’ Chaminade (Sept. 21) and Marquette (Sept. 27). The annual Christian County Cup will take place on Oct. 24 at Nixa.
“There has to be a willingness to work for each other; understand that no one player is bigger than the team itself,” Owens said. “The boys will need to be able to rely on each other and trust each other for us to be successful as a whole. They have good relationships already and that will be a key factor this season.”
