2018 Spring Preview: Carl Junction Girls Soccer

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By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Ed Miller’s Carl Junction Lady Bulldogs will have a bit of a rebuild to do this year.

You see, eight starters graduated and, while the team began preparing for their departures immediately after last season, the offseason wasn’t kind at all.

The starting goalkeeper moved away and, even worse, the injury bug emerged, affecting a number of players. One starter, senior fullback Hallie Roper, tore an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee. Same with Danni Wrenich, a sophomore.

“We have some other others penciled in in some spots,” Miller said. “We’re going to have to make some adjustments and see if we can fill the holes.”

Two healthy returning starters are senior Stormie Riggs, a center who has committed to Missouri Southern, and sophomore forward Shila Winder.

“Where (Riggs) started from to where she is now … she’s made leaps and bounds,” Miller said. “She played club in the offseason and liked it. Obviously, she has a passion for it.”

Winder also could be a key factor this season.

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“She has a little speed,” Miller said. “And she’s going to be good to take over that leadership role.”

Roper gained experience in the offseason, but the ACL injury will keep her sidelined until April.

The rest of the lineup includes Addie Tholen, a junior midfielder and forward, sophomore midfielder Isabell Burgess, sophomore midfielder Jena Capra as well as sophomore Brett Chappel.

“(Burgess) got her feet wet last year and we’re looking for her step in,” Miller said. “But some of these girls will be changing back and forth. (Capra) played last year as a fullback a little. She’s in cross country, so that will help.”

Other notable players include Adrian Bitner, a sophomore moving up from junior varsity, as well as sophomore Ashley Stokes and senior Carly Frazier, a midfielder and fullback.

“(Frazier) played last year for the first time,” Miller said. “She’s a pretty good athlete.”

He went on.

“(Stokes) played a little varsity for us,” Miller added. “She plays just about everything you can think of – softball, basketball, and she’s in National Honor Society. She’s got a lot of irons in the fire.”

Carl Junction was 10-10 last year and was eliminated in the district championship against Webb City in a penalty kick shootout, despite a 21-4 advantage on shots on goal.

To Miller, who has coached soccer in 19 prior seasons (mostly at Joplin High School), the injury situation leaves him little choice but to play a slow-down offense in order to keep fresh legs for a team light on depth.

That said, he acknowledged that healthy players should know one thing.

“They have to look at it as an opportunity,” Miller said. “We’re looking for starters, and starters are going to be rewarded with work ethic.”

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