By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Heading into the 2025 season, the Central girls soccer program has more questions than answers.
With several of its top players graduated — and others not expected to return this season — third-year coach Nathan Cardoza will field a largely new lineup this spring.
“A few girls that have played in the past are considering focusing on academics this year and not playing sports,” Cardoza said. “So we still are uncertain of who exactly we will have for the season.”
But as they move to the Central Ozark Conference, the Bulldogs will look to build on back-to-back nine-win seasons — and become the first Central team to record double-digit wins since the 2019 team won a district championship.
“One of my favorite parts about the game of soccer is if you play as a team, even the underdogs have a shot at glory,” Cardoza said. “That will be a big push for us this year — playing as a team.”
As of press time, the Bulldogs were expecting at least five returning starters — Cali Mills-Hosmer, Finley Loethen, Journey Hill, Stella Green and Natalie Crosby.
Mills-Hosmer, Hill and Loethen are coming off all-conference seasons.
Mills-Hosmer, a senior midfielder, led Central with 19 goals and 13 assists.
“She will be the heart of our team this year and we will look to her to lead us as a team and get numbers on the board for us,” Cardoza said.
Loethen, a junior, will anchor Central’s defense.
“Each year she has developed her skills and become a very valuable part of our backline,” Cardoza said. “This year, we will look to her to lead our defense and keep us in some of the tough games that we will have.”
Hill, a sophomore midfielder, is the younger sister of former Central standout Laramie Hill, who is now playing at Drury. The younger Hill impressed in her debut season, registering nine goals and three assists.
“We are counting on Journey to step up and fill that role Laramie held for us,” Cardoza said. “Journey is a threat offensively and we will count on her ability to connect with Cali to create chances for us going forward.”
In addition to Laramie Hill, two members of the Class of 2024 are continuing their careers in college. Addie Harris is playing at Temple, while Cate Casanova has signed at UT Dallas.
“I think the major difference with us and other schools our size is, here at Central, we don’t have rosters full of soccer player(s),” Cardoza said. “The majority of my players have never played or only play high school soccer. So, when we graduate a handful of girls that have the experience of playing club, it creates a big impact on us.”
But it also creates an opportunity for new and returning players to win starting jobs — and Green and Crosby are a great example of that.
Green, who had never played soccer before last season, quickly became one of the team’s top performers. The sophomore will remain a vital part of the backline.
“Stella is a pure athlete,” Cardoza said. “She has good strength, works hard and is coachable. She listens to what her coaches say and applies it quickly.”
Crosby, a sophomore forward, was another new-to-soccer player who quickly won over the Central coaching staff.
“Her natural athletic ability and pure effort was able to land her a starting role with the team,” Cardoza said. “Over the offseason, she has been working on her skills and I think has the potential to be a game-changer for us this year.”
Seniors Kate Kienstra, Bree Turner and Madeleine Bauer are all expected to take on prominent roles for Central this season. Kienstra and Turner are defenders, while Bauer is primarily a midfielder.
Cardoza on Kienstra: “She plays for her team and is always the first to lift others up and provides encouragement for her team. This year, we are going to count on her to be that vocal leader and keep our team focused and positive in each game.”
Cardoza on Turner: “She will be (an) important part of our defense. She works hard, knows the game and is able to keep in competitive games.”
Cardoza on Bauer: “We are counting on her contributing considerable minutes this year. She can run as a wing and has potential to play some defense for us as well.”
Senior Khloe Beshears and sophomore Bailey Russell are among several new additions who could play their way into the Central lineup.
“One of the biggest things I have noticed with this group is how they are all willing to work hard and how positive they all have been,” Cardoza said. “That is going to be one of the things we try to build off, keeping the girls positive and work rates high.”
The Bulldogs will travel to West Plains for a March 14 jamboree with the Zizzers, Hillcrest and Mountain View-Birch Tree Liberty. The Bulldogs will also see the Eagles on March 25, when they travel to Springfield for Central’s regular-season and home opener.
“This group as a whole has the potential to be a great group to work with,” Cardoza said. “I am hopeful that they keep the energy high and the positivity that they have had throughout the whole season.”
