The 2021 season was a historic one for the Webb City girls soccer program.
Webb City captured a district championship, advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Class 3 state tournament for the first time in program history and finished the season with a 22-4 record.
With a solid core returning, and with a group of promising newcomers, the Cardinals have the goals set high again this spring.
“The team is very excited, especially coming off of last year’s historic season,” Webb City coach Nick Harmon said. “But, we’ve got our eyes focused on the future and what’s in front of us. We’ve got an awesome core of returning leaders and some younger players who aren’t afraid to get out there and compete. So we’re very excited.”
The Cardinals return six players with prior varsity experience this spring.
Leading the returners is standout senior forward Anea Bemo. A William Jewell signee who garnered multiple postseason accolades in ’21, Bemo scored 26 goals and had 10 assists last spring.
Senior Delaney Duke returns as the team’s starting goalkeeper. Duke has signed to join the women’s soccer team at Park University. Like Bemo, Duke earned all-state honors last season.
Also back is senior defender Austyn Mickey, junior midfielders Cree Vaden and Piper Chapman and sophomore forward Sophia Booher. Mickey joined Bemo and Duke on both all-district and all-COC teams last year.
Harmon noted his returning performers have shown great leadership.
“We have great leaders…humble competitors who set a good example for the younger players every day,” Harmon said. “We have two returning all-state players (Bemo, Duke) who the newcomers can learn a lot from. Given that we have so many new players in big roles, it will be a strength of ours to be able to rely on our leaders down the stretch.”
Coach Harmon said six freshmen have the potential to contribute at the varsity level this season.
Freshmen Gabrielle Stodghill, Roxy Long and Kaylee Kenney are midfielder candidates, while classmates Ruby Channel, Jenna Schulz and Kirra Long are defenders.
“Youth and inexperience is a concern, but the season is long and we have a lot of potential,” Harmon said. “By the end of it, we’re going to be a completely different team than when we started.”
Webb City will begin the season at this weekend’s Lebanon Tournament. The Cardinals will host McDonald County on March 29.
Harmon noted the team’s key to success is simple.
“We expect our players to go out everyday, whether it be in practice or in games, and work hard for their teammates,” Harmon said. “We intend to focus on our jobs and the opponent in front of us, and let the results take care of themselves.”
