By Chris Parker
Cassville soccer returns seven starters and 10 letterwinners from last season’s six-win team.
“We have a solid group of upperclassmen, a handful of committed newcomers, and loads of team speed,” Cassville head coach Jake Forste said. “We anticipate a run-and-shoot style of play that will help us open up the scoresheet this spring. If we can improve on our set pieces and overall finishing, we should see a dramatic increase in goals scored this season.”
There are many players who could be on the attack at forward and in the midfield for Cassville this season including Libby Corter (junior), Tyra Sturgell (senior), Lydia Cupps (junior), Makayla Connelly (junior), Anabele Mills (junior), Briley Artherton (freshman), Raegan Doucet (freshman) and Brooklyn Krallman (junior).
Forste on Corter: “Libby has played everywhere but ‘keeper for us in her first two years. She is really the queen on our chess board; she can do everything from close out wins as a key defender, cover midfield shifts as a featured playmaker, or chase late-game goals as a forward. While we’re not quite sure where she’ll be featured this spring, she is a leader and key component for our team.”
Forste on Sturgell:” Tyra captained our team in 2025 and is a real warrior in the midfield. She has worked as a defensive specialist in years past and has marked some of the area’s toughest players. Wherever she slots in this spring, she will be a coach on the field for us.”
Forste on Cupps: “Lydia is a returning starter and all-state cross-country runner. She has a high motor, her distribution skills continue to improve, and she looks great with the ball on her foot this spring.”
Forste on Connelly: “Kayla has been a key reserve and spot starter for us in the past. She is competing for a full-time role in the attack this spring. She is a fierce competitor and brings some tenacity to our front six.”
Forste on Mills: “Anabele was an active participant for us during our offseason agenda and continues to grow as a player and team leader. We are hoping to put her in the best position to leverage her blazing speed as a weapon.”
Forste on Artherton: “‘B.A.’ is a club soccer kid and three-sport athlete. While she will enter this season as a freshman, she has as much soccer experience as just about anyone on our roster. We will look for her to step in and be a contributor from Day 1 this spring.”
Forste on Doucet: “Raegan has been a featured player on our SVSC club teams in the past along with B.A., even spending last fall and spring as the striker for our U15 co-ed team. She has a strong nose for the net and is looking to leave her mark on the program.”
Forste on Krallman: “‘B.K.’ is our most physical player on the field. She does a great job pressuring opposing backs as a forward, and she is also in the mix at keeper for us this spring.”
This group will be tasked on improving last year’s scoring average that was under a goal per game.
“We struggled to find the net in 2025, with only 12 goals on the season,” Forste said. “Despite limited scoring, we were able to convert our twelve goals into seven wins and two draws. Finishing with composure and executing in the final third are top priorities for us this spring. We are hoping to take some pressure off the defense and have a more open style of play this season.”
The defense will feature Diana Arguelles (senior), Anna Vanderhoef (sophomore), Kendal Allison (junior), Kierstyn Kalbaugh (senior), Liberty Hilburn (senior) and Emily Gray (sophomore.
Forste on Arguelles: “Diana joined us as a sophomore reserve and spot starter. As a junior, she played a full-time role with the defense. We will look to her to help lead from the backfield this spring.”
Forste on Vanderhoef: “Anna is a tough-as-nails wrestling kid who emerged as our Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman last season. We are excited to see what she can do in Year 2.”
Forste on Allison: “Keni has spent time at wide back and center back in her first two years. She is looking to feature with the defense once more this spring.”
Forste on Kalbaugh: “Kierstyn was hampered by a nagging knee injury last spring which limited her time on the field. She has made some nice strides this spring. We are excited to see what a healthy Kierstyn can do with our defensive group.”
Forste on Hiburn: “Liberty has been active with our offseason group and will look to be a contributor as a wide back this spring.”
Forste on Gray: “Emily played some consistent ball with the JV last spring. She is also competing to crack the varsity lineup at center or wide back this spring.”
Ava Hinson (senior) will be at keeper with Krallman also an option in goal.
“Ava is a four-year starter, returning captain, and Crowder College soccer commit,” Forste said. “She can single-handedly flip field position with her big leg and has developed into an awesome shot-stopper. She is a pillar in our backfield. In a pinch, Ava can also help chase games in the outfield.”
Cassville opens the season on Mar. 24 at home against Lebanon.
“We are historically a pretty stout team in terms of defensive shape and structure. I don’t expect that to change,” Forste said. “We would, however, like to dictate the pace of play and push the tempo this spring. I think fans can expect to see a group of Lady Cats that are relentless, tenacious, and hungry for goal-scoring success.”
