By Nolan Epstein
There’s no real clear picture when it comes to predicting what’s ahead for the Willard Lady Tigers in 2017, but head coach Tim Magee has an extremely intriguing roster that he’ll be working with come late March.
On one side of the coin, Willard is losing four key players up front and in the mids who were responsible for nearly all of the goals scored last season. On the other side, the back line remains loaded as the team sees the return of four starting defenders.
What this will equate to is anyone’s guess, but there’s a good chance the Lady Tigers will see some improvements coming off a 2016 season in which they went 11-12 in their first year without standout striker Dylan Owens.
“We knew we would need seniors to step up and take a leadership role, and they did just that,” Willard head coach Tim Magee said in reference to last year. “It was fun to watch those young ladies take responsibility for the program and handle it with such grace, class and dedication.”
This time around, Willard will be missing 25 goals and 13 assists from last season’s team, including 13 goals and 4 assists from forward Mary Hannah Miller.
Just one midfielder and one forward return to this year’s squad – senior F Kiera Maples and junior M Kasey Brower. Maples was good for 3 goals and 4 assists a year ago and will have a lot asked of her with the graduations of several offensive impact players.
There’s a bit more optimism when it comes to defense as Kelsie Carroll (Sr.), Jackie Pence (So.), Maddy Bouse (Jr.), Maddie Keith (So.) and Kenzie Thomas (Sr.) are all back as defenders. In goal, junior Joren Stout-Mitchell will again look to keep the ball out of the net. Last season, Stout-Mitchell yielded 38 goals (1.78 GAA).
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“We have an experienced defense as well as a very athletic group of young ladies on the offensive side of things,” said Magee. “Our goal is to progress a little each practice as well as each game so that we will have taken some big steps by the time we get to the district tournament.”
While things will likely take care of themselves on defense, the trouble spot could come with scoring goals – considering the amount of youth and inexperience involved with the offensive attack.
“The challenge will be to get them up to speed as quickly as possible,” Magee said of his offensive players. “As athletic as they are, it will be fun to watch the progression.”
Willard will have to play five of its first seven matches away from home and will be participating in the tough Kickapoo Tournament come mid-April. The team will also host the Willard Invitational on April 28 and 29.
Despite a tricky schedule and the new influx of players, the fourth-year head coach is having his team strive for the same goals as always.
“Just like every year, we expect to challenge for the district championship,” Magee added. “We are in a tough district with some amazing players, so we will have to scrap and claw for every opportunity.”
The Lady Tigers travel to Rogersville to face the Lady Wildcats in the season opener on March 21.
