By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Neosho Lady Wildcats jumped out to a 3-0 start to the season but struggled throughout the 2022 season.
“We started the season out with some good wins and battles,” said coach Steve Schnackenberg, who is 111-157-4 in 14 years at Neosho. “We finished fifth in the Willard Invitational. The Central Ozark Conference was really tough and we had a hard time with those teams. We will make some changes early in the season and do a better job of preparing for those games.”
The Lady Wildcats finished 6-17 overall and 0-9 in the COC.
“My biggest takeaway from last season is the work and effort these girls are willing to put in to get where we want to be,” Schnackenberg said. “This offseason has been great and we expect the first couple weeks of practice to see a very competitive and motivated group coming into the start of the season.”
Neosho returns two seniors and two juniors to the lineup this season.
• Gissele Vargas, senior center back. Earned Class 3 District 6 first-team honors. “Gissele is our center back and a strong leader,” Schnackenberg said. “She will control things for us with her great vision and skills. We look for a big year from her.”
• Ivie Brisco, junior forward – Named all-district and second-team all-conference honors. “Ivie was our main scoring threat last year and will continue that role this season. She led the team in goals last year.”
• Miranda Mendoza, senior defender. “Miranda will also return in the back for us. Her role as an outside back last year might change by moving her to the center back or holding midfielder. Mira is another one of our strong leaders on the team and picks everyone up a level when needed.”
• Eva Maldonado, junior. “Eva will come back from an injury last year. She was off to a good start last year and looks to be ready to go this season.”
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Schnackenberg said there are several players who played varsity minutes last season and could make an impact this spring.
Those players include juniors Jennifer Oxlaj, Karen Mendoza, Lesley Vargas, Vivi Medrano and Abby Coutu; sophomores Kimberly Hernandez, Keely Keaton and goalkeeper Yaretzi Parker.
“All of these players took on different roles during the 2022 season,” Schnackenberg said. “We think they will all step into bigger roles this year. Sophomores Mia Robbins, Ruth Hernandez and Val Garcia looked strong in workouts and training this winter and we hope to see them continue that into the season.
“Yaretzi has really worked in the offseason to take over in goal for us.”
While Neosho loses only two players to graduation, they are key losses:
• “Erika Ornales held the team together and played with all of her heart all the time,” Schnackenberg said. “She was right with Ivie on goals scored and moved on to play at Crowder College. She was an all-district honorable mention selection.”
• “Breanna Alvarado played in the center midfield position for us for all four years. She will be greatly missed and hard to replace. Breanna was an all-conference selection for three years and all-district team all four years.”
The Lady Wildcats open the regular season on the road at Springfield Central on March 22.
“We struggled in COC games last year,” Schnackenberg said. “We want to compete in those games and give ourselves a chance to win them. The preseason work rate is high, there were a lot of girls there to push each other.
“They are learning that it is going to take more and more of that as we improve to put ourselves into a better position in tough games. We are developing more trust in each other on the field, also.”
