2023 Spring Preview: Waynesville Girls Soccer

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By Chris Parker

Waynesville girls soccer returns eight starters and 11 letterwinners from last season’s five-win team.

Leadership for this year’s team will come from the back with defenders Skye Scott (senior) and Trinity Wimberly (junior). Wimberly was named second-team all-conference last season while Scott was selected to the honorable mention team.

Junior Madison Cox will join Scott and Wimberly at defender.

Senior Alison Secrest and junior Kyleigh Saalmann will be the teams key forwards. In the midfield, look for seniors Mackenzie Cross and Alyssa Hilman.

Basketball standout Breona Hurd will play goalie.

Head coach John Box said Hurd’s goalkeeping abilities have grown by leaps and bounds.

“The players mentioned above have made great strides forward in their game, but Breona Hurd stands out as being the most improved within her respective position on the field,” Box said. “Two years ago, Breona stepped onto the field with no soccer experience, but with her athleticism and willingness to learn, she stepped into the starting position as keeper, and her improvements since that time have been astounding.”

Last year’s team was young, but gained valuable experience that will help this season.

“This year the greatest strength we will have is teamwork,” Box said. “Last year we had a young and inexperienced squad that refined their ability to work together. We finished the season against Ozark in a 1-0 loss, but the team effort was commendable.”

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Box will look for his team to improve on the offensive end.

“The biggest issue will be finding the back of the net,” Box said. “We had numerous situations where we found ourselves one-versus-one with the keeper, but yet to convert. Also, we need to improve on finding the final pass.”

Waynesville girls soccer will open the season on Mar. 18 at Columbia Hickman. The Tigers will also face Ozark on the same day.

“Competitive would be the word I would use to describe the identity we want this year,” Box said. “This year we are optimistic about the upcoming season and our expectations are high.”

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