2017 Girls Soccer Preview: Nixa

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By John Miller (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Year in and year out, the Nixa Eagles are good.

Even though the team graduated six key seniors from last year’s 18-6 club that took second in the Central Ozark Conference with a 6-1 record, don’t expect a drop off in play this spring.

The program has won four straight district titles and has been in the district finals each of the last seven years. Last year, the Eagles were the third seed in the district, but beat two-seed Ozark 2-1 in penalty kicks in the semis before topping No. 1-seed Kickapoo 1-0 in the finals. A 5-0 win over Lebanon in sectionals got Nixa one game within a trip to state, but Lee’s Summit ended the Eagles season with a 3-1 decision in the state quarterfinals.

Six key seniors graduated, including forward Katelynn Pittser, who is sixth on the school’s all-time scoring list. Keeper Hannah Todd has also graduated, who had a .9 goals against average in 42.5 games in goal. Defender Kalie Huff, midfielder Daley Townsend, defender Paige Gerkin, and defender Brooke Lannutti have also graduated, leaving a void to be filled.

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“This group won districts every year they were in high school, so they know what it takes to win those big games,” Nixa coach Evan palmer said. “Their experience was key to our victories down the stretch. I hope our younger girls learned from them what it takes to win when the pressure is on.”

This year, Nixa will lean on the play of a large group of returners that includes six seniors: forward Alex Johnson, midfielder Maycie Palmer, forward/midfielder Abbie Brandt, defender Gracie Gimlin, defender Beth Johnson, and forward/midfielder Bailey Hunsicker.

Johnson scored 28 goals and had 12 assists last year and should be a threat at the top of Nixa’s offense again this spring. Hunsicker added 11 goals and 12 assists.

The Eagles will also get minutes from junior midfielder/forward Chloe Cash, sophomore midfielder Erin Crawford, sophomore midfielder/forward Madisyn Pritchett, midfielder Erica Hartley, defender Annslee Glenn, defender Liz Davis, and defender Hannah Lannutti. Lannutti started all 24 games last year as a freshman.

“These girls need to step up and fill the gap left by the 2016 seniors,” Palmer said. “This group has the talent, but we are a little less experienced than last year. This is a good group that can be competitive with anyone, and if we really come together, we can go far in the postseason.”

Newcomers to the varsity squad will be junior midfielder Hannah Ast, sophomore forward Jayla Lakey, sophomore defender Hailey Clinton, and freshman keeper Riley McClintock.

“Riley is a very good keeper and could see time there at the varsity level,” Palmer said.

After finishing second to Ozark in the COC race last year, Nixa looks to take the title this spring.

“We want to win back the conference crown from Ozark, who beat us during the season,” Palmer said. “We also want to keep our streak of district championships going.”

This year, Nixa will have a new district that includes Republic, Branson, and Joplin. Their schedule isn’t easy, with competitive games against local schools like Kickapoo, Ozark, Glendale, and Catholic, as well as some tournaments that should challenge the Eagles and prepare them for postseason play.

“We will play great teams at the Parkway Showcase in St. Louis and at the Kickapoo Shootout locally,” Palmer said. “St. Theresa’s Academy is coming down to play us on April 6th. They’re the two-time defending state champions. That game will really push us. I want to make a challenging schedule so that we are ready at the end of the season.”

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