Young Players Bring Spark To Lady Panthers Soccer
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by Janice Penix
The Clarksville High School girls soccer team has just one senior on the roster, but it may be the younger members of the squad who lead the Lady Panthers to success this season.
“We have a record size sophomore class this year, and some really talented freshmen,” Coach Bryan Qualls said. “We lost three really key pieces from last year’s group, and we are finding the right players this year to fill their shoes. Some of the younger players are proving they are ready to step up.”
Litzy Gonzalez is the only senior who returns to the field for the Lady Panthers.
“Litzy has been with us since she was a freshman,” Qualls said. “She has a great, positive work ethic and attitude and is a great leader who has experience. She is not really vocal, but she does lead by example and is good to get everybody else to follow her lead.”
Qualls said Gonzalez played several minutes for CHS last season, and he expects her to fill a starting role this year.
“She knows the drills and finishes in the top five of long runs,” he said. “She primarily plays at the top of our defense, and has gotten better and better every year. Litzy has a good IQ. She can see the field and get the ball where it needs to be.”
Fellow senior Esperanza Mercado serves as a manager and is an invaluable part of the team, according to Qualls and Assistant Coach Daniela Plugge, who is in her first year on the soccer coaching staff.
The Lady Panthers have three juniors returning to the team who earned postseason awards last year, Fabiola Roman, Rose Kyee and Thee Win.
“Fabiola is our spark, our energizer,” Qualls said. “She takes everything so serious, and is very intense. She’s a good one to have on your side because she will not quit.”
Kyee and Win both played significant minutes for Clarksville in their sophomore season. Other juniors who return are Andy Mancillas and Sophie Basham.
“Rose is a solid defender who plays the center back position as well as anybody,” Qualls said. “We are excited to have that group back.”
The largest class on the team are the 10th grade members, with several expected to be key players.
“Betsy Garcia is a second-year player who has improved probably the most from last year,” Qualls said. “She is intense and will flat-out go. She has a good mindset when it comes to the game.”
Bailey Robbs joined the Lady Panthers last year, her first season to play soccer, and has “improved greatly,” according to her coaches. She is expected to start this season.
Both Soe Moo and Aye Ma Oo will fill starting spots as well, Qualls said.
“Soe is our leading goalie as of now,” he said. “She transitioned to the goal this year, and we couldn’t be happier with the progress we’ve seen from her. She’s very quiet and listens well, and we expect her to start at that position. I’m impressed with her in goal.
“Aye Ma has made huge progress from last year. She can do just about anything we need her to do.”
A newcomer to the team, and the sport, is sophomore Autumn Hodges.
“I saw Autumn running last year during track practice and talked to her about coming over to soccer,” Qualls said. “She’s got speed, determination and grit and has been a great addition. I’m excited to see her progress.”
The Lady Panthers’ freshman class is also expected to bring strength and experience to the team this season. Standout players include Mia Elizondo, Lillyan Dollar and Ahlin Gonzalez.
“We’re excited to get Mia,” Qualls said. “She is going to get massive minutes this year, if not start. Lillyan brings instant impact. She’s athletic and has playing experience. She likes to pass it, and will play wherever we want her to play.
“Ahlin Gonzalez also has that instant impact. She’s talented and has a very high soccer IQ. She’s a great passer and great finisher.
“We are really excited about the big number of sophomores and about this group of ninth graders,” Qualls said.
The CHS girls team has one of its largest numbers in history with 28 on the roster.
“That number is way up,” Qualls said. “The interest has grown. Kids want to play, and that’s a testament to not just this program but to Tri-County and what Lud (Elizondo) and the others there have built for the young kids in the community. They’re doing a great job setting the foundation.”
Qualls and Plugge said they are looking forward to the season and to watching the team improve as the players develop.
“We are excited to see what this group brings,” Qualls said. “We have been working on passing and control, and are seeing them get better at passing to open teammates to create plays.
We are looking for chemistry and effort, and who needs to be in what spots. With a large number of sophomores and freshmen competing for playing time, our upperclassmen know that nothing is guaranteed. They are working so hard, and if we can find that chemistry, keep them together, get them to buy in and do what we need them to do, we will have a great year.”
Plugge agreed.
“They work very hard, and I’m really proud of them,” she said. “Even though we lost those three big players from last season, this year’s group has a lot of potential.”
Clarksville’s conference opponents will again include Berryville, Dardanelle, Green Forest, Gentry, Huntsville, Morrilton and Prairie Grove. The teams will play twice, once at home and the other at the opponent’s field. The top four teams from the conference will advance to the state tournament.
The coaches and players have their focus once again on going deep into the postseason.
“Our goal is to make it to state,” Qualls said. “Last year, we finished third in the conference and then lost to CAC in the first round of state. We hope to be competitive within the conference and make it to state again.
“We’re excited about the year and can’t wait to begin.”
Clarksville sophomore Bailey Robbs (3) prepares to pass the ball during a benefit game at Van Buren on Thursday, Feb. 26. Robbs is one of several younger players who are expected to make an impact on this year’s Lady Panther squad.
–Photo courtesy Hser Htee
Read this story and others in the March 4 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
