By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Springfield Catholic girls soccer program will open the season with a new head coach.
Unlike most coaching changes, however, the former head coach will be there too.
Former Springfield Catholic and Drury standout Mackenzie Serrano, who spent the past three years as an assistant coach under Ben Timson, has been promoted to lead the Fightin’ Irish.
Timson, a 2023 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee who led Springfield Catholic to 19 district championships during his storied 24-year career, will remain with the program as an assistant coach.
“Ben Timson has created a legacy for Lady Irish soccer that can never be replaced,” Serrano said. “What he has accomplished with the girls program is truly incredible – which is why he is so deserving of his Hall of Fame recognition. I am a past player of Timson’s and I now have had the privilege of coaching alongside him for the past three years. I have the utmost respect and admiration for him, and I am honored that he will continue coaching by my side.”
In her varsity playing career, Serrano was a three-time all-state selection who helped the Fightin’ Irish win three district championships. She also made two trips to the Final Four, placing fourth in 2015 and second in 2017.
Her coaching career is off to a similar start, as the Fightin’ Irish are two-time defending district champions. But they’ve fallen in the state quarterfinals both years, once in double overtime and last year’s campaign ending in a penalty shootout.
To this day, 2017 remains Catholic’s most recent Final Four appearance. But with 10 returning varsity players and a senior-heavy roster, Serrano’s goal is to lead the team back.
“Our team’s greatest strength is our experience,” Serrano said. “With seven seniors returning, we have a strong, seasoned group that has laid a solid foundation for the program’s success.”
That group is led by two returning all-state selections, Peyton Wiseman and Campbell Morgan.
Wiseman, a forward who signed with Louisiana Tech, registered 39 goals and 21 assists and earned district Player of the Year honors.
“We will look to her to continue making an impact in our attack,” Serrano said.
Morgan, a midfielder who is headed to Drury, added 26 goals and 11 assists.
“Campbell is a leader and playmaker in our midfield, which is something we will continue to rely on this upcoming season,” Serrano said.
Wiseman, Morgan and fellow seniors Maggie Mahaffey, Grace Hoerschgen, Izzie Belz, Bella Passanise and Liz Beecher all helped Catholic to an incredible 2024 season in which the club finished 20-6-1, scored 124 goals and recorded 16 clean sheets.
Mahaffey is the reigning district Defensive Player of the Year and also earned all-conference honors.
“Maggie is the anchor of our defense with an incredible vision for the game,” Serrano said. “She creates opportunities as we build out from the back.”
Hoerschgen inherits the Springfield Catholic net from Big 8 Keeper of the Year and all-state selection Haley Brown, who is now playing at Arkansas State.
“Grace has stepped up as a strong and dependable defender for us over her last three seasons,” Serrano said. “This season, we will look to her to step into the role of goalkeeper — a position she knows well and is very talented at.”
There’s no shortage of talent in front of her either, especially in a packed midfield that includes Belz, Passanise and Beecher.
Belz earned all-conference and all-district honors following her 13-goal, 12-assist season.
“Izzie has a huge impact on our ability to build up the field with her vision and composure,” Serrano said.
Bella Passanise scored four goals and eight assists as an outside mid.
“She created many offensive opportunities for our attackers,” Serrano said. “We will rely on her work ethic and experience this season.”
Beecher scored five goals and added three assists in her debut season.
“She stepped up to varsity from JV and immediately made an impact,” Serrano said. “We will look to her to slide into that midfield role and continue to help us build.”
Junior defender Alice Farmer is another impact player, who is coming off an all-conference season.
“Alice has made great strides since her freshman year,” Serrano said. “We will look to her to solidify our backline.”
Sophomore midfielders Izzy Hoerschgen and Jude Daues each scored two goals and four assists as freshmen, and will take on expanded roles this spring.
Serrano on Izzy Hoerschgen: “She made a big impact her freshman year as a defensive mid. We will look to her to continue making an impact as she grows into her sophomore year.”
Serrano on Daues: “Jude has a great vision for the game that we look forward to using this season.”
Freshmen Crosby Morgan, Claire Majorahn, Vivian Cardin, Sophia Foley and Cayla Ahmadnia could also push for immediate varsity playing time.
“We are excited to see their impact on the program and have high expectations for them,” Serrano said.
The Fightin’ Irish, who are moving from the Big 8 to the Mid-Lakes Conference this season, will host Ozark, Logan-Rogersville and Laquey for a jamboree on March 14.
They will open the season at the Bluefish Invitational on March 21 in Rolla.
“I’m excited to see how we develop as a team this year,” Serrano said. “We’re placing players in positions they don’t typically play and with a strong group of midfielders, some will need to step up and take on new roles. This presents a great opportunity for growth and development.”
