Lady Eagles Looking For Improvement In 2019

Coming off a 5-13 season in 2018, Sullivan head coach Bill Kackley is hopeful the Lady Eagles soccer program can make strides this spring.

Sullivan began just 1-9 a year ago, but put together some wins towards the end of the season. The team relied heavily for four seasons on the scoring prowess of Emma Randolph. Scoring was hard to come by for the group last season and Kackley said the offense will rely on ball control, tight passes and scoring as a unit.

“For the most part, that’s how we will score,” he said. “We’ll have to make the extra pass and capitalize on opportunities. Last year we had good shots, but they were right at the keeper.”

Kackley said the team showed progress in creating opportunities at its Jamboree.

MaKenzie Martin led the team in scoring last season with six goals as a senior. Junior Payton Counts was second with four goals, while senior Caitlin Pohlman and junior Sierra Pitman had three.

Sullivan has seven seniors on the roster, including Maddy Brauninger, Daisie Duncan, Maddy Hines and Makenzie Jones are on defense. Pohlman and Kylee Thomure are at forward and Hannah Wiegers is a midfielder.

The team began practicing February 25 and despite some frosty temperatures, Kackley said they have mostly been outside. 

“They’ve been showing up and giving hard work,” he said. “We’ve been doing a lot of conditioning, which keep them going. There’s not much down time. If you’re going to be a good soccer team, you have to be able to play in bad weather.”

Sullivan played through some rainy, cold conditions at the Jamboree. Kackley said it was hard to assess where the team is because the ball was hard to pick up, but overall, he’s happy with way the team has come out this spring.

“I like our energy better,” he said, adding that they have talked about getting more wins, competing better in conference and districts.

“We’ll have to work harder, but I think we’ll be better.”