By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Cassville Lady Wildcats had their best season in program history in 2024 and the expectations are even higher for 2025.
The Lady Wildcats finished 13-6-2 overall and 4-3 in the Big 8 Conference, after going 7-13 in 2023.
The defense recorded seven shutouts, while the offense averaged two goals per game. Their season was cut short with a 1-0 (penalty kicks) loss to New Covenant Academy in the first round of the Class 2 District 5 Tournament.
“We expect to put up another winning season and contend for the Big 8 title,” said Jake Forste, who enters his eighth season as the Cassville girls’ head coach. “We are hopeful for a top-3 district seed and look to make some noise in the playoff bracket.
“I thought we were pretty good in close games last year, as we finished (5-1-2) in games that were decided by one goal or less. That ability to grind out wins is integral to our plans as we aim for another winning season.”
The Lady Wildcats return three seniors and two juniors, including all-district goalkeeper Ava Hinson.
Tierany Sloan, senior defender/midfielder – “Tierany spent last season on the back line and at defensive mid,” Forst said. “She is becoming a leader for us and is rock-solid in her defending.”
Isa Rodriguez, senior defender/midfielder – “Like Tierany, Isa spent last season on the back line and at defensive mid. She is another solid defensive piece for us.”
Ashley Alonso, senior midfielder – Scored 1 goal with 3 assists. “Ashley will look to play in the central midfield for us this spring. She is selfless and a playmaker on the ball. We will look to her for double-digit goal contributions this spring.”
Tyra Sturgell, junior defender – “Tyra was our defensive player of the year last season. She spent a lot of time marking the other team’s best player and excelled in that role. Tyra has gotten stronger on the ball each of the last two years, and we will look to move her up the field and into a more creative playmaking role.”
Ava Hinson, junior goalkeeper – Named to the Class 2 District 5 second team and was an All-Big 8 Conference honorable mention selection. “Ava has been a phenomenal ‘keeper for us during each of the last two years. She is also a capable scorer up top, so it’s possible she splits time or moves out of goal completely. Like several of our other upperclassmen, her positional flexibility is a big asset for the team.”
Forste has several newcomers he believes can be major contributors and will challenge for varsity minutes this season.
Libby Corter, sophomore defender/midfielder – “Libby was an impact player as a freshman, anchoring our defense over the second half of the season,” Forste said. “She was excellent as a center back for us, but is another capable scorer who we will look to move up the field if possible.”
Diana Arguelles, junior defender – “Diana came to us as a first-year sophomore last year and really grew as a player throughout the season. She has the ability to be a lockdown, all-conference caliber defender.”
Makayla Connelly, junior forward/midfielder – “Kayla plays with pace and physicality. She will look to earn a role in the midfield this spring.”
Annable Mills, sophomore forward – “Annabelle battled some injuries as a freshman, registering a few spot starts and coming off the bench for the first team. She has put a lot of work into her game over the offseason, and we will look to her to provide consistent scoring from the wing.”
Lydia Cupps, sophomore midfielder – “Lydia is a cross country kid with a high motor. Her playmaking is improving all the time, and she will look to crack the midfield rotation this spring.”
Brooklyn Krallman, sophomore goalkeeper/forward – “BK improved tremendously over the course of last season keeping the JV goal. She is part of an open competition in goal this spring, and could also contribute to the forward lines.”
“We have a very competitive group of coachable athletes,” Forste said. “I don’t know that there are more than one or two spots currently decided – we have a lot of positional flexibility and players who are willing to work hard to achieve their goals.”
Cassville graduated a talented group last year, including the program’s single-season scoring record holder, Emma Berndt, and the single-season record holder in assists, Dre Gosvener.
Emma Berndt, midfielder – Class 2 All-Region 3, Class 2 District 5 first team, All-Big 8 Conference first team. “Emma registered 19 goals (Cassville team record) and 6 assists last year en route to an all-region campaign,” Forste said. “She is now playing at Central Methodist University (Reserve Team). We will miss her leadership and commitment to the team.”
Dre Gosvener, forward – Class 2 District 5 first team, All-Big 8 Conference second team. “Dre put up 14 assists last season (a Cassville single-season record) in an all-district campaign. She continued her soccer career at Western Nebraska (Community College). Her leadership and ability to turn things on in the clutch will be missed.”
Zoe Saylor, wing – “Zoe was a first-year player for us, but one heck of an athlete who transferred in from Verona. Her pace and work rate out wide will be missed.”
Gracen Hilburn, defender – “Gracen excelled as a wide back for us and helped register seven shutouts for the back line last season.”
Scottie Richardson, defender – “Scottie had a great season as a center back/wide back, and made her mark as a four-year starter for the program.”
The Lady Wildcats will host a jamboree on March 18 with McDonald County and Aurora before opening the regular season at home against New Covenant Academy on March 27.
“Monett is our biggest rival, so that is always a game we have circled,” Forste said. “We play them home-and-home in the new Big 8 (same with Aurora and Mac County), so getting up for those conference and district games will be big for us.
“Our team’s culture is one of growth and support, and we will look to continue growing as players and individuals while supporting one another on and off the field. I think we have some high-character ladies who excel on the field and in the classroom. If we can stay healthy and hungry, I think we can eclipse last year’s 13 wins.”
