Lady Panthers soccer looking to compete deep into 2022 postseason

August 5, 2022 | 12:03 am

Updated July 31, 2022 | 6:04 pm

After falling in the first round of the 3rd Region tournament in 2021, Daviess County is looking to bounce back and compete for some hardware once again this season.

The Lady Panthers are coming off of a season in which they finished with an overall record of 8-15 overall, but managed to become the 9th District runner-up and then the first round of the region tournament.

While they will be without one of their key two-way players in Steeley Walker who is suiting up for Kentucky Wesleyan this year, Head Coach David Sandifer said that they will still have plenty of experience on both sides of the pitch.

“Sophomores Kate McCain and Lillian Coombs are our leading returning scorers and we expect them to provide offensive opportunities and create for others in the attack,” Sandifer said. “Senior Allison Boswell, Juniors Mary Wesley Wiman, Mia Griffith, Jessie Harwood and Jasey Sterasman and Sophomore Molly Fuqua all gained valuable experience last season and we expect them to give us flexibility and consistency both offensively and defensively.” 

The Lady Panthers will be looking for crucial minutes from their upperclassmen as well, as Sandifer said that seniors Brooke Schwartz and Reagan Chinn will provide stability and leadership on the defensive end.

With Emma Patterson also graduating, Daviess County will have some new faces in goal with junior Emily Baughn and freshman Kaelin Labhart sharing the job in front of the net. The Lady Panthers will also have a number of newcomers, including sophomore Lily Hoagland who returns after a year out due to injury. 

Sandifer expects her to be an offensive threat, while  junior Nikki Velazquez and Sophomore Amal Kalik will also provide depth offensively and defensively. The Lady Panthers will also have a strong group of freshmen in Bailey Brown, Mary Evelyn Wiman, Mackenzie Elliott, Molly Floyd and Anslie Dant. 

Sandifer believes that as long as they communicate well and are precise in their movement and retaining possession, they can compete at a high level and hopefully bring home some hardware this season.

“Our expectations are always to spend the regular season growing and improving and hopefully put ourselves in a position to compete for District and Region championships,” Sandifer said.

August 5, 2022 | 12:03 am

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