Led by a pair of returning all-district performers, the Neosho High School girls soccer team features eight players who played significant varsity minutes last season.
Returning players who are expected to lead the Wildcats this spring are seniors Erika Ornelas, Breanna Alvarado, Lorlei Pelep and Yulisa Maldonado, juniors Gissele Vargas and Miranda Mendoza and sophomores Eva Maldonado and Ivie Brisco.
Ornelas and Brisco are forwards, while Alvarado, Vargas and Eva Maldonado are midfielders. Pelep, Yulisa Maldonado and Mendoza are defenders. Ornelas and Alvarado both earned all-district honors last season. Ornelas scored 10 goals last year, while Alvarado had seven goals.
With that group of girls leading the way, Wildcats coach Steve Schnackenberg noted the expectations are set high.
“Our players have really come together and developed a strong bond that will help lead to a successful season,” Schnackenberg said. “They have been working hard and very motivated these first weeks of practice. They are very excited.”
Newcomers expected to contribute at the varsity level include senior midfielder Jamie Tevalan, sophomores Abby Coutu (D), Lindsey Cifuentes (D), Vivi Medrano (M) and freshmen Audrin Roberts (GK) and Kimberly Hernandez (M).
“I’m excited for them because I think they will fill their roles and contribute to the team right away,” Schnackenberg said of the newcomers.
Schnackenberg noted the program’s numbers are up, which will equal more overall team depth.
“We have a good-sized freshman class this year, so our numbers are really good,” he said. “This will lead to more JV experience, the ability to play more girls up to get varsity experience this year and take some of the pressure off the starters all of the time.”
As far as strengths of the group, Schnackenberg said the team has great chemistry.
“We have a group of amazing young ladies and all of them are on the same page,” he said. “I’m so excited for this season to see how they respond to tough competition and continue getting better every day.”
The Wildcats went 8-14 last season.
Neosho will be in Class 3 District 6 with Branson, Carl Junction, Hillcrest, McDonald County, Parkview, Webb City and Willard.
The Wildcats began the season with a 3-2 win over Liberty-Mountain View on Thursday.
Neosho is scheduled to host Pittsburg (Kan.) on March 31.
