SILOAM SPRINGS -- Annika Bos has played all over the soccer field in her four seasons at Siloam Springs, but she thinks she might have found her favorite spot in the heart of the Lady Panthers' defense.
Bos, a two-time All-State player, has played all season at center back for the Lady Panthers (13-4), who will be making their third straight Class 6A state finals appearance at 10 a.m. on Saturday against Searcy.
"It's my favorite position that I've ever played," Bos said. "I love it."
At 5-foot-8, Bos is one of the taller players on the team and definitely one of the strongest. She's also a vocal leader which is important in the center back position.
Bos admits she's enjoyed getting to play an enforcer role.
"I'm not going to lie to you and say that it's not satisfying to lay somebody out," Bos said. "It feels pretty good. It's a lot of fun. You kind of have to put your team on your back in that position, which is great."
Having Bos anchor the Lady Panthers' defense is like having another coach on the field, according to Siloam Springs soccer coach Chuck Jones.
"It's hard to lose seniors like Annika," Jones said. "Annika's a great soccer player but she's an even better person and better kid. We're really going to miss her.
"She's such a great communicator on the field. She's like having a coach out there in that she keeps the girls organized. She's also a positive player and she does such a tremendous job in back. She's big and she's physical enough. She's just a dynamite presence in the back."
Bos, a team captain, has been a four-year starter for the Lady Panthers and she's seen the program rise to great heights in her time.
Bos recalls how as a freshman she played midfield and forward for a team that wound up losing 4-0 in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs to Little Rock Christian.
"We got absolutely smashed," Bos said.
That 2012 team finished 9-9-3, but the Lady Panthers won 14 games in Bos' sophomore season and advanced to the program's first state finals where it lost to Searcy 3-1.
Last season, Siloam Springs won 13 games and defeated Mountain Home in penalty kicks in the 6A state championship game.
Bos is not the only member of her family playing for a state championship on Saturday. Her little brother Jack Bos, a freshman for the boys soccer team, has also come on strong at defender for the Panthers, who play at noon against Russellville in the 6A boys state title game.
"It has been a happy Bos household this past season," Annika said. "I'm really proud of him. He's doing really well. He used to play center midfield and now he's playing defense. He's taking after his sister."
Sports on 05/22/2015