“They’ll be very missed this coming spring, but we had a good, successful season and we had a tough schedule which we do on purpose so that we can hopefully prepare for postseason play,” said Ozark coach Zack Owens. “We had a double-overtime loss to Catholic and that was probably our best match of the entire season. Lost to Kickapoo by one, Glendale beat us and we lost to Nixa which was obviously the best team in the area last year. We’re looking to bounce back and we’ve added a few new pieces this year with some move-ins who will be helpful.”
A big loss for the Tigers after the 16-10 season is the departure of first-team all-state forward Chloe Kondracki, who scored 31 goals in her senior campaign. Ozark returns several others who made valuable contributions, though, including the team’s second-leading scorer last year, junior Anna Essick, who returns after recording 11 goals and 4 assists.
“That was as a sophomore and kind of figuring out her role on the team and she was a very nice bright spot for us in the attack,” Owens said. “She’s played cub all offseason and she’s really coming into her own this year as a junior so we’re excited to see what she’s going to do for us.”
Senior Brooklyn Schulte returns after scoring 6 goals with 6 assists last season and should see a different role this year after playing primarily at center back.
“That’s not really the plan this year, we’re going to put her more into the attack,” Owens said. “Her numbers are going to rise like crazy and she could be our leading scorer but you never know.”
Ozark also returns experience in senior Annabelle Kruse, who played in the midfield and totaled 6 goals and 4 assists; junior midfielder Ella Falk; junior Kenadee Kondracki, an outside back who totaled 5 goals and 2 assists; junior defender Addison Salat; and junior Launa Trobaugh.
“(Kruse) is a big-time club soccer player, plays the sport year-round so we’re going to look for her to step up and give us good minutes,” Owens said. “(Falk) is another one of our really gritty, resilient midfielders and I know she’ll have a monster year for us. (Kondracki) was a starter most of last year and she’ll be ready to step into a really big role. (Salat) is probably going to help anchor our defense, she’s a huge piece for us, and (Trobaugh) also played some varsity minut... Click here to read full article
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