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Whatever they do from this point forward will be remembered for years to come. The Camdenton Lady Lakers take the field at Columbia Rock Bridge High School on Tuesday in their school's first appearance in the girls' soccer playoffs.
The Lady Lakers defeated Waynesville on Saturday to clinch the first district championship in the 14-year-old program's existence. Camdenton had appeared in its district final, but had never won a district title and advanced to the sectional round, where only 16 teams in Missouri Class 3 remain.
"Historically speaking, it was just incredible for us. It's something that we talked about doing since the first day of indoor in December," Camdenton coach J.D. Hunter said. "It was, 'Let's just do it. Let's put all our chips on the table. This is what we want to do this year and if we don't accomplish it, it's going to sting.'"
The Lady Lakers (21-3) have plenty of star power up and down the roster. So much so that their capabilities as individuals are sometimes overshadowed by the team's goals.
"We are a more well-rounded team than people give us credit for, I think," Hunter said.
Sophomore striker Miriam Taylor leads the Lady Lakers in scoring with 24 goals in 23 games. Four other players have at least 10 goals, including senior midfielder Haley Baker with 17. Senior forward Ashleigh Paschel took on a playmaking role in Camdenton's attack and leads the team with 15 assists. Paschel has scored 10 goals this season.
"It was amazing to me how quickly the whole team jumped on board with the idea of doing it together and always working hard every day. We really increased the tempo of our practices and I really think that had a huge amount to do with the fact that everybody accepted their roles," Hunter said.
Camdenton will try to overload Rock Bridge's defense with its 3-4-3 formation. The Lady Bruins run a 4-3-3 (four defenders, three midfielders, three forwards).
"We're going to have a little bit more in the midfield and they're going to be a load up front. They are quick," Hunter said. "They've got a couple of D-I players. We have a lot of speed in the back, ourselves. We're just going to go out there and play our game. It's too late really to start switching up stuff now."
Whatever they do from this point forward will be remembered for years to come. The Camdenton Lady Lakers take the field at Columbia Rock Bridge High School on Tuesday in their school's first appearance in the girls' soccer playoffs.
The Lady Lakers defeated Waynesville on Saturday to clinch the first district championship in the 14-year-old program's existence. Camdenton had appeared in its district final, but had never won a district title and advanced to the sectional round, where only 16 teams in Missouri Class 3 remain.
"Historically speaking, it was just incredible for us. It's something that we talked about doing since the first day of indoor in December," Camdenton coach J.D. Hunter said. "It was, 'Let's just do it. Let's put all our chips on the table. This is what we want to do this year and if we don't accomplish it, it's going to sting.'"
The Lady Lakers (21-3) have plenty of star power up and down the roster. So much so that their capabilities as individuals are sometimes overshadowed by the team's goals.
"We are a more well-rounded team than people give us credit for, I think," Hunter said.
Sophomore striker Miriam Taylor leads the Lady Lakers in scoring with 24 goals in 23 games. Four other players have at least 10 goals, including senior midfielder Haley Baker with 17. Senior forward Ashleigh Paschel took on a playmaking role in Camdenton's attack and leads the team with 15 assists. Paschel has scored 10 goals this season.
"It was amazing to me how quickly the whole team jumped on board with the idea of doing it together and always working hard every day. We really increased the tempo of our practices and I really think that had a huge amount to do with the fact that everybody accepted their roles," Hunter said.
Camdenton will try to overload Rock Bridge's defense with its 3-4-3 formation. The Lady Bruins run a 4-3-3 (four defenders, three midfielders, three forwards).
"We're going to have a little bit more in the midfield and they're going to be a load up front. They are quick," Hunter said. "They've got a couple of D-I players. We have a lot of speed in the back, ourselves. We're just going to go out there and play our game. It's too late really to start switching up stuff now."
Senior sweeper Kali Kuse anchors a Camdenton defense responsible for 13 shutouts, all but one of which belong to senior goalkeeper Sandra Shore. Kuse, who will play for Missouri State in the fall, is flanked by juniors Allison Halderman and Mackenzie Manzer.
Hunter hopes his Lady Lakers can establish control of the midfield early and generate breakaways and quick counterattacks with a fast-paced, physical style of play.
"It's kind of a hack-and-attack type style. We try to get in and get up as quick as we can. We possess (the ball) more than we ever have, but ultimately we are still looking to get forward," Hunter said.
Camdenton High School celebrated the occasion by offering up 50 seats to students on a special pep bus that rolls out of the lake at 4 p.m. The 50 students will only have to pay their $6 admission costs to get into the game in Columbia, which is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m.
Want to go?
Who Camdenton vs. Rock Bridge
What Class 3 sectionals
Where Rock Bridge High School, Columbia
When Tuesday, 6 p.m.
