With a 30-goal scorer, a couple of steady goal-keepers and improved depth the St. James High School girls’ soccer team seem to be prepared to make a run at a strong spring campaign.
The Lady Tigers are slated to open the season on Tuesday, March 23 at Four Rivers Conference foe Sullivan.
Head coach Casey Smith has 15 varsity lettermen and eight starters back from last season’s 13-8 squad. There are 18 players on this year’s roster.
“I think we’re a little more well-rounded,” Smith said of this year’s squad. “We’ve got experience and depth. And right now there are no injuries we’re dealing with.”
Leading the charge for the Lady Tigers is junior forward Amanda White. White reeled off 30 goals last season and has been one of the area’s top scorers over the past two years.
The other starting forward for St. James is junior Brittany Ragland.
“Amanda’s going to do what she’s going to do,” Smith said of her top scorer. “She’s got incredible desire. But we have other goal scorers around her, too. I think we’ll be a more balanced scoring team.”
Smith will go with a 4-4-2 alignment this season. Her four starting midfielders, although she’s not sure in what positions yet, figure to be seniors Jordan Bowen, Tiffany Hauck and Kyleigh McDowell as well as junior newcomer Rachel Connell.
Returning at sweeper back is senior Ashley Hoener, who missed all of last season with knee surgery. Junior Renee Recker is the stopper while junior Kaylea Pogue is at right back and senior Heather Stowers is at left back.
Last year juniors Rachel Fetters and Kayla Walters split time in goal and they’re back this spring.
Smith says she will use her bench often this season and key reserves at various positions include juniors Tiffany Payne, Paige Kurti and Mara Hofherr and sophomore Kristin Hofstetter.
“I think we have much more depth, especially with Hoener back,” Smith said. “That’s huge as far as a leadership role.”
Smith says the Lady Tigers need to be better with their possessions. “We need to be better in making smart decisions in possessing the ball,” she said.
The Lady Tigers are hoping to show enough improvement to battle with Union and Pacific for the conference championship.
“That is our goal, to beat Union and Pacific,” Smith said. “Those two teams have always been at the top of our conference.”
