2017 Girls Soccer Preview: Rolla

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By Nolan Epstein

The Rolla Lady Bulldogs have seen their fair share of success over the previous four years – collecting a pair of district tournament titles and eclipsing the 15-win mark in each of those seasons.

Last season, however, was one that truly stood out as head coach Mike Howard’s club staked claim to 18 shutout victories, a 21-4-1 overall record and an Ozark Conference championship. The team also earned a berth into the Class 3 state sectional round.

Things might not come quite as easily for Rolla this time around as it will be taking the field without two vital pieces from last season’s squad in goalkeeper Katie Hudson and midfielder Emma Laney.

Hudson, who is the Lady Bulldogs’ all-time shutout leader with 59, and Laney (14 goals, 10 assists last season) were instrumental in helping lift the program to new heights. However, all is far from lost for Howard’s team this spring.

“We have to replace some strong players that we lost to graduation,” said Howard, who enters his 22nd season at the helm of the program. “We do have a very good core group of players returning, though.”

In all, six starters return from last year’s team, including senior forward Addy Brow (33 goals, 7 assists). Brow earned Honorable Mention All-State honors following a standout 2016 campaign. The senior striker needs just 28 goals to reach 100 for her career and would be just the fourth player in program history to reach the 100-goal milestone.

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Brow will be joined up front by fellow senior and assist-machine Morgan Gabriele (18 goals, 27 assists), who was an all-district and all-conference honoree.

Despite the offensive firepower that returns to the pitch, defense will likely be the biggest focal point for the Lady Bulldogs. Rolla’s defensive unit will be led by junior Ryleigh Grommet and senior Michelle Kean. Kean has signed to play her collegiate soccer at St. Louis Community College.

“Michelle is a strong defensive player, she reads the game very well,” said Howard. “Her long throw also makes her an offensive weapon.”

Replacing 1st Team All-Conference keeper Katie Hudson in goal is junior Kelly Cates, who realizes she has some awfully big shoes to fill.

“A huge part of our success will be how we can do in goal,” Howard said. “I think Kelly Cates is capable of coming in and doing just fine.”

Howard, who also coaches the boys’ team, is close to a milestone himself as he needs just ten more victories to reach 800 wins for his career (boys and girls).

The decorated coach will have his work cut out for him as Rolla joins a new district with the likes of Pacific, Union and Washington, while once again competing in a tough Ozark Conference.

Rolla opens the season by hosting the RHS Soccer Tournament March 17-18 and will take on Springfield Catholic, St. Francis Borgia and Northwest (Cedar Hill).

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