|
|
|
The Waynesville Lady Tiger soccer team will see a lot of changes this season.
After losing 10 seniors to graduation, 8 of whom were starters and included second-team all-state forward Katie Pritchard, the Lady Tigers also have a new head coach.
Mike Gow comes to Waynesville from Lebanon, where he was the head coach of the team that eliminated the Lady Tigers in the district semifinals last year.
“I like the enthusiasm here,” Gow said of his new gig. “Waynesville kids have a reputation for being athletic and willing to work hard and listen.
“I’m excited to be here. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to be.”
It won’t be easy after losing so much, but Gow said that he has faith in this year’s seniors to lead.
“I have big hopes for Erica [Combs] and Orielle [Thomas, senior midfielders],” he said. “They’ll both have to be leaders.”
Combs, a team captain, agreed that this season might be a “rebuilding year” but there’s no lack of talent.
“I think talent-wise, we’re just as solid as we were last year,” she said. “We lost 8 starters but we have 6 players with varsity experience.”
Plus, there’s a lot of parity in the Ozark Conference. No team, she said, looks overpowering, although Gow said he thinks that Rolla will be the team to beat.
Both Combs and Gow agree that the key to winning will be the success of the midfielders.
“We’ll be very strong right down the middle six,” Gow said. “We have a good strong center back line.”
Returnees include Combs and Thomas as well as senior defender Ashley Stockstill, senior forward Lynette Newcomb and junior forward Desiree Loredo.
Senior defender Miranda Arganda, a move-in, is a key newcomber, as is freshman Jesslyn Clark.
Junior Alicia Cook will be playing in goal. Although Gow said she’s new to the position, she’s been showing lots of promise as a newcomer.
“She kind of volunteered to do it,” Gow said.
The Lady Tigers will kick off their season next Tuesday against Jefferson City Helias. Gow said he’s excited for the promise of this season and hopes that the weather stays in the 70s for their first match.
“I’ll be really disappointed if it rains for our first game,” he said with a smile.
The JV match will begin at 5 p.m. with the varsity contest to follow.
2009 V/JV Schedule
Home games in bold
3/24 Helias, 5 p.m.
3/30 Branson, 5 p.m.
3//31 Ozark, 5 p.m.
4/3 Washington, 5 p.m.
4/7 Kickapoo, 4:30 p.m.
4/9 Hillcrest, 5 p.m.
4/14 Camdenton, 5 p.m.
4/16 Glendale, 5 p.m.
4/17 Hzlwood Cent. V, 5 p.m.
4/21 Rolla, 5 p.m.
4/23 Lebanon, 5 p.m.
4/24-25 WHS JV Trn., TBA
4/24-25 West Plains V Trn. TBA
4/28 Joplin, 4:30 p.m.
5/5 West Plains, 4:30 p.m.
5/7 Parkview, 4:30 p.m.
5/8 Jeff City, 5 p.m.
5/12 Spfld. Catholic, 5 p.m.
5/14 Nixa, 4:30 p.m.
5/18-22 Districts, TBA
The Waynesville Lady Tiger soccer team will see a lot of changes this season.
After losing 10 seniors to graduation, 8 of whom were starters and included second-team all-state forward Katie Pritchard, the Lady Tigers also have a new head coach.
Mike Gow comes to Waynesville from Lebanon, where he was the head coach of the team that eliminated the Lady Tigers in the district semifinals last year.
“I like the enthusiasm here,” Gow said of his new gig. “Waynesville kids have a reputation for being athletic and willing to work hard and listen.
“I’m excited to be here. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to be.”
It won’t be easy after losing so much, but Gow said that he has faith in this year’s seniors to lead.
“I have big hopes for Erica [Combs] and Orielle [Thomas, senior midfielders],” he said. “They’ll both have to be leaders.”
Combs, a team captain, agreed that this season might be a “rebuilding year” but there’s no lack of talent.
“I think talent-wise, we’re just as solid as we were last year,” she said. “We lost 8 starters but we have 6 players with varsity experience.”
Plus, there’s a lot of parity in the Ozark Conference. No team, she said, looks overpowering, although Gow said he thinks that Rolla will be the team to beat.
Both Combs and Gow agree that the key to winning will be the success of the midfielders.
“We’ll be very strong right down the middle six,” Gow said. “We have a good strong center back line.”
Returnees include Combs and Thomas as well as senior defender Ashley Stockstill, senior forward Lynette Newcomb and junior forward Desiree Loredo.
Senior defender Miranda Arganda, a move-in, is a key newcomber, as is freshman Jesslyn Clark.
Junior Alicia Cook will be playing in goal. Although Gow said she’s new to the position, she’s been showing lots of promise as a newcomer.
“She kind of volunteered to do it,” Gow said.
The Lady Tigers will kick off their season next Tuesday against Jefferson City Helias. Gow said he’s excited for the promise of this season and hopes that the weather stays in the 70s for their first match.
“I’ll be really disappointed if it rains for our first game,” he said with a smile.
The JV match will begin at 5 p.m. with the varsity contest to follow.
2009 V/JV Schedule
Home games in bold
3/24 Helias, 5 p.m.
3/30 Branson, 5 p.m.
3//31 Ozark, 5 p.m.
4/3 Washington, 5 p.m.
4/7 Kickapoo, 4:30 p.m.
4/9 Hillcrest, 5 p.m.
4/14 Camdenton, 5 p.m.
4/16 Glendale, 5 p.m.
4/17 Hzlwood Cent. V, 5 p.m.
4/21 Rolla, 5 p.m.
4/23 Lebanon, 5 p.m.
4/24-25 WHS JV Trn., TBA
4/24-25 West Plains V Trn. TBA
4/28 Joplin, 4:30 p.m.
5/5 West Plains, 4:30 p.m.
5/7 Parkview, 4:30 p.m.
5/8 Jeff City, 5 p.m.
5/12 Spfld. Catholic, 5 p.m.
5/14 Nixa, 4:30 p.m.
5/18-22 Districts, TBA
