By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Carl Junction Lady Bulldogs captured their sixth district title in 10 years and coach Ed Miller thinks his team has the potential to improve upon the results of 2022.
The Lady Bulldogs finished 21-6 overall, 7-2 for third place in the Central Ozark Conference and won the Class 3 District 6 Championship as the No. 2 seed, edging Branson 1-0 before falling to Glendale in the quarterfinals.
“We had a great year, but we need to find ways to score in the big games against quality opponents,” said Miller, who was named district Coach of the Year. “I feel if we believe in ourselves and our teammates, it will carry us to a successful season.”
The Lady Bulldogs have a roster full of returning players, several of whom were starters and received postseason honors. They lose 49 goals and 39 assists to graduation but return 47 goals and 42 assists.
• Chrissy Figueroa, senior goalkeeper who has started for three years and was part of a defense that recorded 18 shutouts; earned Class 3 Region 3, first-team all-district and Goalkeeper of the Year honors; second-team all-conference.
• Hannah Franks, senior forward/midfielder; scored 13 goals with 16 assists last year and has played two years on varsity; was named first-team all-district and honorable mention all-conference.
• Jocelyn Brown, senior midfielder; a first-team all-district selection. “She found her position last year at defensive mid,” Miller said. “She wins a lot of balls in the air and is a solid defender.”
• Lexi Carpenter, senior defender; named all-region, first-team all-district and Defensive Player of the Year, first-team all-conference. “As our shutdown defender, she is quick, fast and tough.”
• Constance Graham, senior fullback; earned first-team all-district honors. “Constance found her position last year running the back line and had a great year.”
• Audrey Fletcher, junior defender. “Audrey moved into a starting role at the end of the year and gained some valuable experience for this year.”
• Allie Wrestler, senior midfielder; scored 13 goals with 6 assists last year; all-district honorable mention; three-year starter. “Allie is quick and fast and can score with both feet.”
• Samantha Sims, senior forward/midfielder; scored 5 goals with 1 assist. “Samantha has played varsity for the last two years as a forward. This year, she will see time at midfield and forward. She is an extremely hard worker and puts in time every day to get better.”
• Hailey Merwin, junior midfielder/forward; scored 7 goals with 4 assists. “Hailey has played midfield and forward for the last two years on varsity. She is coming off an ACL tear and is recovered and ready to go for the season.”
• Sara Buchele played on the varsity the last two years in the midfield and is expected to compete for a starting varsity spot.
• Anna Burch, junior midfielder. “Anna can play many roles for us this year and played on varsity last year.”
• Gracie Shoultz, senior defender/midfielder. “Gracie has played soccer for us for a couple of years and will step up to varsity this year.”
• Alyssa Beard, senior defender/midfielder; played some varsity last year.
• Josie Gilbert, junior defender/midfielder. “Josie played on varsity last year and is looking to play a better role this year.”
• Maddie Dalton, sophomore midfielder/forward; played valuable varsity minutes last year and will have a bigger role this year.
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“I think we will have another good year, and hopefully, play for another district championship and see what happens after that,” Miller said. “We scored 97 goals last year and only gave up 17. We have a strong foundation and will build upon it and try to make this season better than last year.
“They’re a good group of girls that get along and work hard. I think we bring back a lot of experience on the varsity level and we still have some depth to pull from.”
Miller said that freshman Ella Anderson will have the opportunity to play some varsity minutes.
“She can play several positions on her club team, so her versatility can help with that cause,” Miller said.
Carl Junction loses six players to graduation, four who started all four years.
• Lauren Burgess (forward); scored 26 goals with 22 assists; named first-team all-state; all-region Offensive Player of the Year; first-team all-district and Player of the Year; first-team all-conference.
• Kadynce Arnold (midfielder); 14 goals, 9 assists; four-year starter; all-region; first-team all-district and Midfielder of the Year; first-team all-conference.
• Tessa Miller (midfielder); 5 goals, 7 assists; first-team all-district; honorable mention all-conference; four-year starter.
• Kaylee Cronister (defender); honorable mention all-district; four-year starter.
• Marly Stauffer (forward); played two years for Carl Junction.
• Tiffany Pham (fullback); started at center back her senior year.
The Lady Bulldogs will host a jamboree with Carthage, Joplin and Webb City on March 14 before opening the regular season at home against Monett on March 21.
“With the success we had last year, we were able to get a lot of players experience on the varsity level last year. Even though we have lost six seniors, I think we still have a lot of depth and players that can play different positions on the field which should help us.”
