By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Marshfield Lady Jays have enjoyed six straight winning seasons, but none better than 2024.
“We had the best year in program history and had an amazing group of young ladies,” said Marshfield coach Paul Lewis, who is in his 19th season coaching the Lady Jays. “We hope to build off that momentum for (this) year.”
The Lady Jays finished 19-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big 8 Conference (good for third place). In the postseason, Marshfield defeated Parkview (3-0) and Hillcrest (1-0) before falling to Springfield Catholic (6-1) in the Class 3 District 6 Tournament championship.
“We will have some returning experience,” Lewis said of the Lady Jays, who will be competing in the Ozark Mountain Conference this season. “This will help us in the long run.”
Back for the Lady Jays this spring are juniors Katie York and Brianna Hansen, and senior defenders Alaina Wipf and Allie Tackett.
Katie York, junior goalkeeper – Recorded 13 shutouts, and gave up 23 goals in 23 games for a 1.04 goals-per-game average.
Brianna Hanson, junior midfielder – Scored 19 goals with 19 assists; Earned Class 3 District 6 first-team and All-Big 8 Conference first-team honors. “(Brianna is) expected to take over the workload on offense.”
Alaina Wipf has been a three-year starter and was “solid in the back (last season).” Allie Tackett also is a three-year starter and is an “experienced defender.”
Lewis said the Lady Jays are looking for junior Allysyn Marriot to have a breakout season in 2025. Marriot scored one goal last year.
“(I like) our work ethic,” Lewis said of his 2025 roster. “We have very few full-time soccer players, but our ladies put in the time and work hard and play to the best of their ability.”
Marshfield does have some big shoes to fill with the graduation of high-scoring Calli Watson and all-district performers Ava Smith, Isabella Kilgore and Sydney Strain.
Calli Watson, midfielder – Scored 81 goals with 3 assists, finished with 254 career goals for third-best in the state of Missouri; earned Class 3 All-State second-team, Class 3 All-Region 3/Offensive Player of the Year, Class 3 District 6 first-team/Player of the Year, and All-Big 8 Conference first-team/Player of the Year honors; now, playing at Drury University.
The Lady Jays also will miss the contributions of defender Ava Smith, Class 3 District 6 first team; midfielder Isabella Kilgore, Class 3 District 6 first team; and midfielder Sydney Strain, Class 3 District 6 first team.
“It will be hard to replace their experience and leadership,” Lewis said. “Calli was an amazing player, and her contributions to our program will be greatly missed. You do not get a player like her very often. The best thing about those ladies is that they played together for four years. As freshmen to seniors, you could see their growth and the program’s growth. That in itself will be the hardest thing to replace.”
Marshfield will be participating in a jamboree at Lebanon before opening the regular season at home against St. James on March 21.
