By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After a slow start to the 2021 season, a hungry Ozark Lady Tigers squad – which had no seniors on the roster – got hot at the right time to enjoy a successful season.
And there’s no sign of this veteran roster backing down heading into the 2022 season.
“Our expectations will not be anything short of winning the Central Ozark Conference and districts,” said coach Chris Shull, who enters his fourth year at Ozark’s head coach after 15 years at Greenwood (boys and girls). “We want to put a focus on postseason as well as the regular season.
“Considering the year prior (2020) we did not have a season; it was apparent that the girls wanted to get back on the field and move on. The team had some growing pains but made strides during the season. Still, expectations are high, and we continue to get better as a team and program.”
Fielding a roster of mostly juniors and sophomores last year, Ozark won eight of its last 10 games to finish 14-11-1 overall, 6-3 in the COC and as Class 4 District 10 runner-up. This season, the Lady Tigers feature an experienced roster with four seniors, five juniors and two sophomores who will provide leadership, as well.
• Madison Morgan, senior, forward – Class 4 District 10 second team. “Madison is eager to cap off her senior year with a successful season,” Shull said. “Madison has been committed in the offseason in 2021 and looks to make great strides as she adds leadership to the team.”
• Laney Burks, senior, goalkeeper – All-district first team; All-Central Ozark Conference first team. “This will be the third year in a row where Laney has been our starter on varsity. She was committed in the 2021 offseason and looks to put the team on her back once again. She is an extraordinary goalkeeper and leader on the field – by far one of our most valuable players.”
• Trinity Schupp, senior, defender/midfielder – All-district second team. “She is our team’s ambassador. Trinity is a natural leader and always strives to better this team. She was committed in the 2021 offseason and her excitement for the season is very apparent. As a coach, you can always count on Trinity.”
• Annabelle Shuler, junior, midfielder – All-district first team; All-COC second team. “Annabelle is the soul of our team. She is every coach’s vision of what a work ethic should be. An attacking presence, she is a constant threat as she is moving forward. Annabelle was committed in the 2021 offseason and will have her best season yet.”
• Molly Rushing, junior, midfielder – All-district first team. “Molly is a hard-nose defender who brings a mental-toughness aspect to the entire team. She is an excellent defender who will also have her best season this spring.”
• Kaylee Linnebur, sophomore, midfielder – All-district second team. “One of the most natural athletes I have ever coached. Kaylee brings a physical toughness to our team and makes us better. She was one of the few freshmen (last year) that started on our team. This year, she has improved and I am excited to see how far she has come. Kaylee is a multi-sport athlete and is committed in the offseason.”
• Kiara Holt, sophomore, defender – All-COC honorable mention. “Kiara stepped in last year as a freshman and did everything the coaches asked. Her physical presence and fearless attitude helped our backline. She was committed in the 2021 offseason.”
• Haley Mallonee, senior, midfielder/forward – “Haley is the type of player that gets better every year going back to her freshman year. Now, she is a senior and is looking forward to a great season. Haley was a versatile player last year that could literally play anywhere. She accepts challenges and pushes forward.”
• Shaeley Combs, junior, midfielder – “Shaeley comes in as a junior and has the ability to be the best player on the field. She is a unique talent at Ozark, and she is expected to perform at a high level this year. Shaeley is strong on the ball and makes good decisions. She welcomes challenges about playing multiple positions. She was committed in the 2021 offseason.”
• Emma Burton, junior, defender – “Emma was another one of the sophomores (last year) that seemed like a freshman because of the lost season prior. She is a physical presence and looks to rebound after an offseason injury. Emma has worked so hard in getting herself healthy and it defines her grit and determination. A player with these attributes is very valuable on our team. It’s fair to say that she was very committed in the offseason.”
• Alexis Soloman – “Alexis will be a junior goalkeeper. She is also an amazing athlete. She has served as the varsity ‘backup goalie’ by title, but she is far from this. Alexis holds her own in terms of athletic ability and knowledge in the backfield. She is such an essential player on our roster and deserves recognition.”
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“Although we will rely on the upperclassmen for experience, another strength will be our newcomers,” said Shull, who is 47-26-1 at Ozark and 344-259-13 between Ozark and Greenwood. “We feel the influx of personnel will bring competition and a welcome dynamic to our team.
“Our team will consist of offseason soccer players as well as multi-sport athletes. All these girls work hard in the offseason.”
• Audrey Carlton – “Audrey’s presence will be noticed immediately on the field,” Shull said. “This young lady loves to play soccer and it will be obvious from the get-go. Leaning so much on a freshman is rare and it depends on the individual. Most freshmen would coin the situation as ‘a lot of pressure;’ Audrey would call it ‘an opportunity’ – that is the difference.”
• Natalie Morgan – “Although softball is her first sport, you would not know by watching her play because she plays at a high level in both. As a freshman, her soccer IQ is high and knows how to play the game. Every coach is always looking for mental toughness in their players. Our team is about to get a big dose of it when Natalie walks on the field.”
• Addison Shuler – “It’s rude to compare her to her sister, but Addison brings a mental toughness and grit to this team as a freshman. Addison is a tough player and I anticipate good things from her.”
• Chloe Kondracki –“She is a great player who has a high soccer IQ. We are going to lean on Chloe to add a different dynamic to our offense. Her performance on the field will grow along with her confidence.”
The Lady Tigers will participate in a jamboree on March 11 at Republic with Catholic and Logan-Rogersville before opening the season at home in the “Ozark Quad,” which includes Columbia Hickman and Battle high schools, on March 19. Shull says his team is ready for the challenge of this season’s schedule.
“Our schedule is littered with tough opponents and that is the way we want it,” Shull said. “The more powerhouses we can play the better. It has been my experience in the past as a coach at a smaller school, the more rigorous you can make the schedule the better.
“It is always a challenge to be the best team to represent the area in postseason play, but that is why we do what we do. We will continue to face the challenges a new season brings and work hard to accelerate the process of getting all the newcomers to click with the upperclassmen. We look at the season as a process and welcome any adversity it may bring.”
