2019 Spring Preview: Carthage Girls Soccer

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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Carthage Soccer will be under new leadership this fall with Taylor Beck taking over the program. Beck may be new to Carthage, but he’s no stranger to the pitch after being a four-year starter at Missouri Southern.

Prior to her career at Southern, Beck was a two-time All-State player at Carl Junction, leading the Lady Bulldogs to back-to-back district championships and Elite Eight appearances in 2013 and 2014.

She’s also spent time coaching both boys and girls club soccer.

Beck’s first task is to establish her culture within the program, a process that is among the toughest when taking over a program.

“I think the most important thing in trying to establish a new culture is making sure we all have the same mentality and agree upon the culture of our team,” said Beck. “I think listening to the girls and hearing their concerns about the previous seasons is the first step for me as a coach. I also think it’s really important to listen to what went well because there’s no reason for me to change something that doesn’t need changed if that’s what the girls liked and what was going well for them.

“For the girls, I think it’s really important for them to have an open mind set and try out everything I am suggesting, which from conditioning the past month, they are very receptive to me and everything I ask of them.”

Despite the regime change, Beck is excited about what she’s seen thus far from his program. A community with strong soccer ties, she believes Coach Bayless and the previous staff have allowed her to hit the ground running.

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“We began off-season workouts a couple of weeks ago, I was pleased with the turnout as we are averaging 30+ girls in attendance,” said Beck. “Several of the girls are multi-sport athletes and are currently involved in other activities.

“I am confident in saying that the future of Carthage girls soccer will continue to improve on the foundation set by Coach Bayless, the interest and dedication of those who are currently attending off-season workouts has shown me they have a desire to improve and we build on the success they began over the past few seasons.”

Beck loses just two players from last year’s 7-12 edition. The Lady Tigers return 1st Team All-COC forward Brianna Marquez, as well as 2nd Team selections Sydney Peters and Jenari Lopez.

Marquez will shoulder much off the scoring load offensively, while Lopez and Peters will try to build on a defense that allowed one goal or fewer on eight different occasions last season.

“Brianna will need to control the game for us and help us score goals,” said Beck. “Jenari Lopez is a strong player who has helped organize our defense the past couple of years and is only a junior. We also have some second-year players who did a great job last year and will be asked to step up more this year for us to be successful.”

Beck believes she also has a freshman class that is ready to compete every day in practice and help push the returning players.

Carthage’s schedule will also provide a baptism by fire for a new coach.

Joplin joins an already loaded COC, making the league even deeper.

Her inaugural run will likely have some bumps in the road, but Beck is excited about the group she has and what the program can do moving forward. For her, this season will be about daily growth and mastering the fundamental details the make the difference between good and great teams.

“In order to succeed this season, the girls will have to take what they learn in practice and execute those skills in the game,” said Beck. “With me being a new coach to them I know there will be some obstacles and understanding to be had, but luckily, I have a hard working group of girls and they showed that to me during conditioning. As long as we control the entire game, I can see success in our near future.”

Carthage will open the 2019 season on March 21 at Monett. The Lady Tigers will play their home opener on April 1 against McDonald County.

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