COLUMN: 5 local girls soccer players to watch in 2024

The 2024 season is nearing for local girls soccer programs.

With that comes a furious race for conference titles, district titles and perhaps even state titles.

Every local team features a plethora of talented players that is sure to lead them to success but I have included my five girls soccer players to watch this season.

__Camille Richey, Saxony Lutheran__

Richey was nothing short of impactful a season ago as the Crusaders went on a run to the final-four.

She has a knack for getting to all the dirty areas of the field and causing havoc which directly relates to her team’s success.

After a postseason win over Metro last year, Crusaders coach Chris Crawford summed up Richey’s game perfectly.

“She’s a menace,” Crawford said. “She does all the dirty work. She’s a very technical player and she does a lot of the stuff that doesn’t show up in the stats.”

Richey’s mindset on the pitch however is simple.

“I just go in there knowing I just have to do what I have to do,” Richey said. “If you get hurt, you have time to rest so I give it all I have.”

Richey and the Crusaders open the 2024 season at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 15, when they host Farmington.

__Lana Adams, St. Vincent__

Perhaps one of the most prolific goal scorers in the area, Adams was outstanding for the Indians a season ago.

Just a freshman, Adams propelled a St. Vincent offense that scored just 2.2 goals per game the season prior to scoring 4.4 goals per game in 2023.

While it’s rare for a freshman to have such a massive impact, Indians coach Todd Strattman had high praise for Adams at the conclusion of last year.

“She's been huge all year,” Strattman said. “I think the hardest thing for her to do was to adjust to our team. Once she did, we were scoring goals left and right. I think the stats show that we had 95 on the year so Lana was a part of that. It didn't take her too many games either to figure it out. She is used to playing with everybody of her caliber and she's playing with us. I thought she just did exceptionally well.”

Adams and the Indians open the 2024 season on the road at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 18, when they take on the Cape Central Tigers.

__Olivia Klinkhardt, Jackson__

With the graduation of Justi Nelson, the Jackson Indians are going to be seeking ways to fill the offensive void.

Perhaps the most important piece to doing so will be Olivia Klinkhardt.

"Olivia has done a lot of things and has put the team first," Indians coach Justin McMullen said.

"That's what you look for in a leader."

Klinkhardt is entering her senior season after a successful 2023 that saw her have a big hand in the Indians’ 17-2 season.

She scored her fair share of big goals and now the Indians will lean on her even more as they look for offense this season.

Klinkhardt and the Indians begin the 2024 season at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 18, when they host Kelly.

__Brooklyn Moll, Perryville__

Moll was the definition of a brick wall last season for the Pirates.

In 20 games, Moll allowed just 16 goals and posted 14 shutouts in the process.

During a 7-0 win over Saxony Lutheran last season, Moll made a pair of tremendous saves which drew high praise from head coach Jerry Fulton.

“(Brooklyn) usually has one or two of those saves a game,” Fulton said. “They’re always what we need to keep the momentum and everything at the time. She’s done that all year.”

Perryville finished last season 16-4 and if the Pirates hope to replicate that success, Moll will play a massive part in it.

Moll and the Pirates kickoff 2024 on Tuesday, March 19, when they battle Notre Dame (St. Louis) in the Fox Invitational.

__Camryn Alsdorf, Jackson__

While Jackson lost some offensive firepower from last season, the Indians are returning goalkeeper Camryn Alsdorf who had an impressive first season at the position last year.

Alsdorf helped lead the Indians to a 17-2 season that ended in the Class 4 State Tournament.

On the way to a successful 2023, Alsdorf allowed just 10 goals in 19 games while posting 9 shutouts.

“She’s definitely been a spark for us back there,” Jackson coach Justin McMullen said. “She’s someone that came in really coachable and very athletic and it’s made my job a little bit easier. She’s very calm in a position that can be very nerve-wracking at times, but she’s very calm and she’s made some good saves for us this year.”

For the Indians to replicate their success, they will need Alsdorf to build off her impressive 2023 campaign.

Alsdorf and the Indians begin the 2024 season at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 18, when they host Kelly.