The four-time defending Class 6A girls soccer champions can't afford to feel sorry for themselves about who's not on the field.
Because just like in years past, there is a target on the Siloam Springs Lady Panthers, and winning a fifth straight state title may be the most difficult chore yet.
Siloam Springs girls soccer
2018 schedule
Date^Opponent^Time
Feb. 23^Springdale Har-Ber#^5 p.m.
Feb. 27^Bentonville West^5 p.m.
March 2-3^at Bentonville West Tournament^TBA
March 6^at Rogers^8 p.m.
March 8^Van Buren^7:45 p.m.
March 9-10^at Harrison Tournament^TBA
March 13^Owasso^5:45 p.m.
March 15^at Tulsa Edison^5:30 p.m.
March 26^at Grove, Okla.^5:30 p.m.
March 27^Harrison*^7 p.m.
March 30^at Greenwood*^5:45 p.m.
April 3^at Russellville*^5:15 p.m.
April 6^vs. Benton (at Clarksville)^5 p.m.
April 10^Clarksville*^5 p.m.
April 13^at Harrison*^5 p.m.
April 17^Greenwood*^7:45 p.m.
April 20^Russellville*^7:45 p.m.
April 24^at Dardanelle*^5 p.m.
April 26^at Clarksville*^7:45 p.m.
April 28-May 5^6A-West Conference Tournament^TBA
May 10-12^6A State Tournament^TBA
May 18-19^State Finals^TBA
* 5A/6A District 1
# Arkansas Activities Association benefit
"There is pressure," said third-year coach Brent Crenshaw, who has guided Siloam Springs to its last two state titles. "They want to go compete for a state championship. We've just got to go out there and take it one day at a time and hopefully play our best soccer at the end of April when it matters."
The Lady Panthers (24-3 in 2017) are scheduled to host Springdale Har-Ber in a benefit game on Friday before their season opener at home Tuesday against Bentonville West.
Adversity hit the Lady Panthers before the season ever began. Record-breaking senior forward Audrey Maxwell -- who scored a school single-season record 42 goals in 2017 and was the Girls Soccer Player of the Year for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette -- tore her ACL in January while playing club soccer.
But even with Maxwell out for the season, the Lady Panthers have plenty of talent returning. Including Maxwell, who signed with Rogers State, there are five players on the team who have signed letters of intent to play college soccer.
The problem lies in that Siloam Springs is lacking experienced depth.
"We can't have any more major injuries," Crenshaw said. "But I feel like we have 11 good athletes out there."
The first goal of the 2018 season will be to establish a goalkeeper after four-year starter and all-state keeper Anna Claire Lewis graduated.
Senior Sydney Bomstad will get the first shot at it after scoring nine goals and recording six assists playing in the field last year.
Crenshaw said Bomstad has been working in the goal since the end of last season.
"She worked with A.C.," Crenshaw said. "She played goalkeeper when she was younger, but she's been on the field her whole high school career. She's worked hard for that spot. She really has a desire. I'm anxious to see her in a game."
Sophomore Shelby Johnson could also be an option in goal.
The Lady Panthers will deploy four defenders in front of Bomstad, anchored at center back by senior John Brown signee Meghan Kennedy (five goals, two assists), who was an all-conference selection last year.
"Meghan Kennedy in back is a two-year starter for us and almost like having a coach back there," Crenshaw said. "She'll be training a lot of our outside backs out there."
Junior Hailey Dorsey is back from an ankle injury that cut short her basketball season and will also play center back.
At outside defensive back, the Lady Panthers will throw a pair of freshmen into the fire in Madison Race and Sydney Moorman.
"They both have really good pace," Crenshaw said. "Early on, we're hoping they can utilize their speed."
Sophomore Sachi Lor and junior Lily Slater could also be options at outside back.
Senior Brooklyn Buckminster, another Rogers State signee, controls the midfield for the Lady Panthers. She scored 11 goals and had nine assists a year ago.
"(Buckminster) plays one of the most important positions on the field," Crenshaw said. "Her job is to stop the other team from attacking and then she starts our attack. Do you remember last year in the Russellville game? They couldn't get an attack going because Buck would always stop it. She's better fit from last year. I look to her to be attacking more."
The Lady Panthers hope to get the services of senior midfielder Megan Rush, who signed with Cowley College, but Rush has battled injuries in the preseason.
Junior Laura Morales was one of the Lady Panthers' most improved players as a sophomore with 11 goals and 11 assists. Morales will man an attacking midfielder position.
"Morales is just so active out there," Crenshaw said. "She's a smart player. We're looking to get her more forward this year, too."
Freshman Jaleigh Harp also will play in the midfield.
"That's a lot to ask of a freshman playing an important position," Crenshaw said.
Sophomore Shelby Johnson might be the most athletic player on the field at forward for the Lady Panthers. As a freshman, she scored four goals and had an assist.
"Johnson, she just needs to be an athlete out there," Crenshaw said. "She can outrun almost anybody on that field. If we can find matchups and get the ball in space, she's going to outrun them."
Junior Hadley Crenshaw, the coach's daughter, emerged as a scoring threat at forward as a sophomore last year, and finished with five goals and nine assists.
"She does a good job on the right side," her dad said. "She continues to work and get better. She looks more confident than I've seen her in the last two years."
Senior Elizabeth Frias also may get some time at outside forward.
Senior Megan Hutto, a Northeastern State signee, had a great junior season in her own right with 25 goals and a school-record 22 assists. The two-time all-state player and former state tournament MVP will play up top at the head of the Lady Panthers' attack.
"Megan is so fast and plays so physical that she's going to create chances," Crenshaw said. "She looks more confident. She needs to go out and do her thing and be physical and be fast, not put pressure on herself, and just go play. Relax and play the game. We have enough good players around her that we can create scoring opportunities."
Sports on 02/21/2018