SILOAM SPRINGS — The Siloam Springs girls soccer team doesn’t have the standout goal-scorer they’ve had in the past few years. There’s no Sarah Kidd, Adrienne Kennedy or Ashley Cowan type player on the roster.
But despite missing that firepower, the Lady Panthers might be as strong this season all-around as the program has ever been, according to head coach Jason Bowen.
“I think we’re going to knock on the door,” Bowen said. “I think as far as depth and consistency, we’re at that point. We’re better than any group that’s ever come through here.”
Siloam Springs Panthers
2013 Girls Soccer Schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME/RESULT
Feb. 14 Maroon and Gray 5 p.m.
Feb. 18 Gentry (benefit) 5 p.m.
Feb. 26 at Harrison 5 p.m.
March 1 Decatur 5 p.m.
March 7 Berryville 5 p.m.
March 9 at Harrison Invitational TBA
March 12 Tahlequah, Okla. 6 p.m.
March 14 at Westville, Okla. 5 p.m.
March 15 at Huntsville 5 p.m.
March 16 at Harrison ReMax Tournament TBA
March 29 Springdale* 6 p.m.
April 2 at Green Forest 5 p.m.
April 9 at Fayetteville* 6 p.m.
April 11 at Springdale Har-Ber* 6 p.m.
April 16 Bentonville* 6 p.m.
April 19 at Rogers* 6 p.m.
April 25 Rogers Heritage* 6 p.m.
May 2 at Van Buren* 6 p.m.
May 3 Rogers (nonconference) 5 p.m.
May 9-11 State Tournament (in Searcy) TBA
May 17-18 State Finals
*Denotes 7A/6A-West Conference match
And though the Lady Panthers don’t have the go-to player offensively, Bowen is hoping that as a group they will collectively find ways to put balls in the net.
“That’s what we’ve been working on, combination play, being consistent with each other, getting to know one another,” Bowen said. “It’s going to come down to a team effort. I believe what we’ve done as a group, I think it’s coming together. You don’t have that one person you can depend on, but we’re looking at a few of the girls we think can hit the net. Overall it’s combination play and breaking down the other team’s defense.”
The Lady Panthers’ defense is also solid behind senior all-state goalkeeper Hannah Poor, who helped Siloam Springs record 13 shutouts last season. The Lady Panthers struggled at times offensively last year and finished with a 9-9-3 record overall.
“We’ve prided ourselves on defense,” Bowen said. “I’ve always thought that’s where you win championships is on defense. We’re solid there.”
Poor is the “general” on the field, Bowen said. She’s started as a midfielder as a freshman before moving to goal for her sophomore and junior seasons.
“She’s phenomenal as a leader and field awareness,” Bowen said. “You don’t get much better than her. As a freshman she started as an outside mid for us because we needed her out there.”
Playing in front of Poor, the Lady Panthers’ back defensive line is solid behind veterans Grayson Tharp, Michaela Treece, Sami Abbey, Morgan Jackson, Danae Chamberlain and Janice Hong.
In the midfield, Annika Bos is the holding defensive midfielder, while several young players will step in and make an impact.
In the attacking midfield, AnnaBeth Raiford, Ingrid Gibson, Terica Fortner are all veterans as well, while forward Odalys Palacios is the leading returning scorer from last year with nine goals. Bos had six goals, while Gibson had five goals.
“So far there’s that much depth that I can’t at this point in time tell you there’s 11 starters,” Bowen said. “We’re still competing for starting jobs.”
In the 7A/6A-West Conference, Bowen said Bentonville and Fayetteville are probably the two clear-cut favorites in the league. But he believes the Lady Panthers will be in the conversation as well.
“I would think our girls have a shot to compete,” Bowen said. “We feel good about our chances, and our girls have a lot of confidence in their ability.”