St. Vincent girls soccer to rely on youthful speed and quickness on offense, veteran defense in 2023

It's been four years since the St. Vincent girls' soccer team played in the Class 3 District 1 Championship game.

In order for the Indians to make it back to the top of the mountain, a number of things will have to fall into place. The Indians finished 13-10-1 last season and graduated six starters.

“We lost a ton,” St. Vincent coach Todd Strattman said. “Seven seniors graduated of which six were starters, including our veteran goalie Addie Cates. We only have three seniors and three juniors on this year’s team so we’re going to have to rely on many of our underclassmen.”

Gone are the Indians’ leading scorer Reese Barber and top defensive player Anna Schwartz, who Strattman relied upon as an offensive leader as well. This season, two senior fullbacks will be depended on to help in the lead roles as Macy Lukefahr and Kamille Graham will headline the defensive front and help assist the new goalkeeper, whom Strattman hasn't officially named thus far.

“On offense, we will lean on senior Allie Strattman and junior Cailyn Prost," Strattman said. "Both are midfielders that will be depended on to help bring along freshmen Lana Adams and Rylee Robinson who I see making an impact right from the start.”

Despite the youth movement for the Indians, Strattman thinks his team can contend again for another district title, even having to train a new goalkeeper between the pipes

“We are very talented and quick,” Strattman said. “If we can bring everyone along and stay healthy and work together as a team I believe we can be right there again in the hunt for the district championship.”

St. Vincent will start the season at home against Cape Central on March 20 and will also host Fredericktown, Windsor, Notre Dame, Festus, Saxony Lutheran, and DeSoto at home in 2023. Tough road games will feature the Indians traveling to Hillsboro, Farmington, Poplar Bluff, and Villa Duchesne (St. Louis) and will play cross-town rival Perryville on April 29.

The Indians will also play in the SEMO soccer classic at Cape Central and will take part in the Windsor Tournament.