Panther girls soccer seeks progress

If the Creston girls soccer team is going to take the step forward this spring that third-year coach Kim Lauffer is looking for, they’ll have to do it without one of the most valuable players to come through the program.

Four-year goalkeeper Sadie Jones, who also played some on the field last year for the Panthers, is a freshman on the Central College women’s soccer team this year.

Jones, who earned Hawkeye 10 all-conference second team status last year, and Michelle Powers, with H-10 honorable mention recognition, graduated from the 2014 squad along with Ryan Vasquez and Itzayanna Rubio.

Injury concerns also have kept would-be starters Alyssa Higgins and Brenna Baker out of soccer this spring.

“Alyssa has been battling back issues, especially during soccer, and she wants to be ready for softball, which is understandable,” Lauffer said. “Brenna came back from her knee injury, but soccer is a tough sport for knee problems, and I know she wants to be on a college dance team. They’re great kids and I understand their mindset.”

But, the cupboard is not bare. Team MVP Hanna Luther, moving from defense to midfielder this year to generate more of an attack, leads a list of 10 returning letterwinners. Luther also earned all-district honors a year ago.

And, as part of a winning volleyball team with plans to play the sport at the college level at Southwestern, Lauffer knows her four-year starter can be a leader on the field, as well. She’s looking for consistent intensity, instead of watching would-be victories slipping away in the second half.

"We had a chat about our approach this year," Lauffer said. "Their potential for improvement is great. Now, they need to be convinced that they really want it. We're hoping this year to really leave it all on the field, for every ball, every moment. They have to have that drive, especially in the second half. We've played too many teams close for a half, and then watch them pull away."

Last year the Panthers beat Oakland Riverside 2-1 on May 2, ending a winless streak of 35 straight matches. That was a span of two years, 30 days.

Since then, a new eight-match streak of defeats has started, and Lauffer looks to end that sooner this season. Although, the first three matches are huge challenges Monday at St. Albert, Tuesday at home against Harlan and Thursday at Valley girls (Nodaway Valley/West Central Valley/Adair-Casey) at Greenfield.

The Panthers return home Tuesday, April 14 against a Kuemper Catholic team that edged Creston 1-0 a year ago. It was one of several close defeats, including similar 1-0 outcomes against Atlantic and Centerville and a 3-2 loss to Chariton.

“Those are games that we have to play all the way through and finish,” Lauffer said. “We play Riverside twice this year, and they’re a program like us, trying to get to a higher level. Those are good games for both of us.”

Defense

There are three candidates to take over for Jones in the net this year. Junior Becca Ross gained some experience a year ago when Jones played on the field, and handled the JV goalkeeper duties. Senior Taquana Williams and junior Abbie Cook are others in the mix, although Cook is a valuable player in the midfield or offensive positions, as well. Ross could see some time on defense.

While Lauffer plans to move Luther up in the formation, that leaves sophomore Katie Powers as an anchor on the defensive flank protecting the goal, along with returning starter Maddie Travis and Micah McCutchan. Angelica Claytor could play in a variety of roles, including defense, and sophomore Logan Pettit looks ready to help on defense, too, according to Lauffer.

“We’re getting a little closer every day with our defense, not having Hanna back there,” Lauffer said. “But we really won’t know until we get out there in a game situation.”

Shelby Palser, Corissa Kinkade, Carolina Ibarra, Claytor, Luther and Jordan Moreland look to be midfielders, along with Cook at times.

“We have some people who can get the forward the ball from the midfield,” said Lauffer, assisted again by Jerry Hartman. “That’s one reason we moved Hanna up, for the scoring opportunities.”

Ibarra has experience playing JV at a large school in Chicago and will be one of the better players on this year’s team, the Panther coach said.

“Playing JV at a large school like she did is like playing varsity ball here,” Lauffer said. “She has good strategic sense of soccer, and she will be a huge asset to us this year.”

Returnees Savannah Hartman, Cook, Ibarra and freshmen Kalen Bloodgood and Jaiden Stephens are all capable forwards. Hartman was the biggest threat a year ago and had the winning goal in the victory over Riverside.

The Panthers were 0-7 in the eight-team group of Hawkeye 10 teams playing soccer last year. Lauffer would like to inch up the standings this year. In 2014, Atlantic was 1-6, Denison-Schleswig 2-5 and Kuemper Catholic was 3-4.

Lewis Central was Hawkeye 10 champion at 7-0 and ended the year 13-6 overall as a Class 2A state qualifier. St. Albert was 6-1 and 12-9 overall, with Glenwood (5-2) edging Harlan (4-3) for third place.

Roster

(* — Letterwinner)

Seniors — *Savannah Hartman, Carolina Ibarra, *Hanna Luther, *Angelica Claytor, Taquanna Williams.

Juniors — *Abbie Cook, *Micah McCutchan, Alicia Boyer, *Maddie Travis, *Corissa Kinkade, Jordan Moreland, *Shelby Palser, Dakota Sleep, *Becca Ross.

Sophomores — *Katie Powers, Logan Pettit.

Freshmen — Jasmine Hernandez, Kalan Bloodgood, Macy Andreasen, Jayonna Williams, Jaiden Stephens, Taylor Fredrickson, Vicky Borha, Genny Keller, Taylor Sorrells, Madi McCaulley, Ana Tebbenkamp.

Managers — Nick Perry, Charley Parcher, Alyssa Cook, Nikki Akers.

Schedule

April 6 — at Council Bluffs St. Albert, 4:30 p.m.

April 7 — vs. Harlan, 6 p.m.

April 9 — at Nodaway Valley/WCV/A-C (Greenfield), 6:30 p.m.

April 14 — vs. Carroll Kuemper Catholic, 5 p.m.

April 16 — at Denison-Schleswig, 5 p.m.

April 21 — at Chariton, 6:30 p.m.

April 23 — vs. Oakland Riverside, 6:30 p.m.

April 28 — vs. Lewis Central, 4:30 p.m.

May 1 — at Oakland Riverside, 5 p.m.

May 7 — vs. Chariton, 6:30 p.m.

May 9 — Creston tournament (Boone, Centerville, Underwood), 9 a.m.

May 12 — vs. Atlantic, 6:30 p.m.

May 14 — vs. Glenwood, 6:30 p.m.

May 19 — at Winterset, 6:30 p.m.

May 26 — vs. Carlisle, 6:15 p.m.

June 3 — Regional, TBA, 6 p.m.

June 5 — Regional semifinal, TBA

June 8 — Regional final, TBA