2019 Spring Preview: Bolivar Girls Soccer

bolivar-soccer

By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Over the past two seasons, the Bolivar Lady Liberators have lost a total of four games.

In 2017, Bolivar finished 18-2 and advanced to the Class 3 quarterfinals, where it lost 2-1 to Washington. In 2018, the Lady Liberators ended the season 19-2 with their third-straight trip to the quarterfinals – a 4-0 loss at home to Union. Bolivar’s only other loss came to Springfield Catholic in Central Ozark Conference Small Division play, where it finished 2-1.

And, while the results were expected of the 2017 team, which featured four-time all-stater Brionna Halverson, last year’s squad exceeded the coaching staff’s expectations.

“We had some big changes offensively, last year,” said head coach Steve Fast, who has a 58-9 record at Bolivar. “We did not know how, or if, we would be able to score goals. Our defense was extremely strong and gave our offense lots of chances and opportunities to score. Our girls got on a roll early and kept that momentum all season.

“The strength of our midfield was a bit of a surprise. I knew we were athletic at that position, but our girls exceeded our expectations in the midfield and played extremely well all season.”

Gone from last season’s Class 3 District 11 title team are Reaghan Lesh, Sarah Peterson and Michelle Gabani, all who were three-time all-state picks, and Allee Sheppeck.

Lesh, a goalkeeper, recorded 14 solo shutouts, was a Class 3 All-State Honorable Mention selection, and was named to the Class 3 All-Region 3, all-district and All-COC first teams. She is playing at Greenville (Ill.) University.

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Peterson, defender, scored 10 goals and had 1 assist, made the all-state, all-district and All-COC first teams, and was named the Class 3 Region 3 Defender of the Year. She is playing at Evangel University.

Gabani, defender, scored 1 goal, was an all-state second-team pick and was named to the all-region, all-district and All-COC teams. She is playing basketball at the College of the Ozarks.

“Those three girls in the back will be tough to replace,” Fast said. “All were four-year starters. Peterson’s and Gabani’s leadership and skill at the center backs was incredible and teams had a lot of trouble getting by those two. If they did, Lesh in goal was always in good position and had the ability to make the outstanding save, if needed.

“These girls were a great example to our younger players on how to play hard, so hopefully, that will carry over.”

Sheppeck, who led Bolivar with 24 goals and 3 assists and was an all-district and All-COC selection last season as a sophomore, is being home-schooled this year.

“It always hurts to lose your leading scorer,” Fast said, “but it’s time for someone else to step up.”

The Lady Liberators return 11 key players, including three on defense: juniors Ashtynn Russell and Maude Henenberg, and senior Carsyn Julien.

“These girls were part of that tough defense that only gave up nine goals in the regular season,” Fast said. “They may have to change positions in the defense, as we need to replace the graduates. They are tough and play hard. The defense will be theirs; it will be fun to watch them lead and grow in those positions.”

One of Bolivar’s surprise strengths from last year – the midfield – returns its entire corps, led by seniors Paige Martin (4 assists, all-region, all-district) and Rheagan Hancock (3 goals, 3 assists, all-district). They will be joined by juniors Annie vanHoornbeek and Hailey Turner, and sophomore Lexi Berry (6 goals, 5 assists, all-district).

“Martin is a tremendous leader and distributes the ball well,” Fast said. “Hancock has a lot of speed and is very tough to defend. Berry, vanHoornbeek and Taylor are all good complements to these seniors, and as a whole, this unit works very well together. They are smart, skillful and provide good complements to the offense and defense.”

To fill the scoring void, Fast will be looking to senior forward Abby Bradshaw (2 goals), and sophomore forwards Emmy Presley (2 goals) and Megan Roberts.

“Emmy will be a key returner, as she was our leading scorer from JV last season as a freshman,” Fast said. “She put in 20-plus goals as a freshman and toward the end of the varsity season, she was making great contributions to our offense.

“Abby and Megan will be quality returners who came off the bench and played both mid and forward last season. We are counting on the quality minutes these girls gained last season to propel them into this season.”

A couple of newcomers vying to fill some key holes include freshman forward/midfielder London Wilson, who Fast says shares some of the same traits as Halverson, and freshman goalkeeper Allison Butler.

“London is a highly skilled player with a lot of energy,” Fast said. “It will be fun to watch her compete and exactly where she will play for us is yet to be determined.

“Allison looks to be our future at keeper. Whether she starts in that role right away is yet to be determined, but we are looking forward to having her in our program. She is aggressive, athletic and a great teammate.”

As Bolivar shoots for a fourth-straight district title, it will begin the season March 15 at Camdenton.

“This will be an interesting year for our team, as we have some restructuring to do,” Fast said. “Our midfield is essentially intact from last season, but we will have a whole new look at defense and the forward positions. I fully expect our team to be very competitive.

“Our senior leadership will be a huge key for us. We have a strong class of leaders and we are hoping this will help our younger players develop into competitive athletes on the field and outstanding citizens off the field. I feel like we have the tools in place to compete well all season.”

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