By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Willard Lady Tigers soccer program enjoyed its best season in almost a decade, and coach Jamie Waddell said the credit goes to his players.
“We as a staff are not doing anything different or anything new to build a winning environment,” said Waddell, who is 60-35 as the girls’ head coach. “It is all the kids’ doing. They want success, therefore, they are working toward success. We set expectations every year and the kids work hard to achieve them, which means they are putting more time into the offseason.
“We have a great group of young ladies that want to be successful not just on the field but also later in life, and they understand that it takes hard work. They are setting the tone for years to come.”
Willard finished 18-7 overall last season for the second-best record in program history (the team went 20-7 in 2015) and was 6-3 in the Central Ozark Conference. The Lady Tigers were bumped up to Class 4 in 2024, but exited in the first round of the Class 4 District 4 Tournament with a loss to Parkway South.
The Lady Tigers’ 2025 roster will be an experienced one with the return of nine players, led by seniors Katelyn Magee and Kenadie Limb.
Katelyn Magee, forward, scored the 100th goal of her career with 41 goals and 10 assists in 2024, and earned Class 4 All-State first-team, Class 4 All-Region 3/Co-Offensive Player of the Year and All-Central Ozark Conference first-team honors.
Kenadie Limb, defender/midfielder, scored 12 goals with 18 assists and was named Class 4 All-Region 3 and All-Central Ozark Conference first team.
The junior class includes Presley Cloud (defender/midfielder), Maddie Polites (defender) and goalkeeper Harper Floyd, who will work to fill the shoes of program record-holder Karli Wheeler in goal.
The sophomores are led by forward Layla Cloud, who scored 4 goals with 4 assists, forward Kallie Reiber, (2 goals, 3 assists), midfielder/defender Addison Lane (3 goals, 1 assist) and midfielder/defender Peyton Lane, who is back after missing most of last season due to an injury.
One newcomer who Waddell says could make an impact for Willard this season is junior defender/midfielder Caroline Compton, who he said has put in the offseason work and will be asked to control the midfield.
The Lady Tigers graduated three all-conference players from the 2024 squad, including program record-holder goalkeeper Karli Wheeler, who recorded 135 saves and allowed just 23 goals last season and was an All-Central Ozark Conference second-team selection. Wheeler owns program records for career saves, career shutouts and season shutouts. The other key losses include Madison Magee, defender/midfielder, All-Central Ozark Conference second team, and Emma Siegler, midfielder, All-Central Ozark Conference honorable mention.
Willard, which will compete in the West division of the realigned Central Ozark Conference, will host a jamboree on March 14 with Republic and Branson before opening the regular season at home against McDonald County on March 27.
“We play in a very competitive conference, with the addition of many great teams,” Waddell said. “Every game will be tough and we look forward to all of the games.”
