By BUTCH HARMON
With a large group of talented players returning and with some impact transfers, expectations are high for the St. Johns girls soccer team this season.
Last season the Redwings turned in a 10-4 mark, and plenty of talent is back in the fold as the team looks to make a run at its first league title since 2005. Senior sweeper Katie Curley leads the list of returnees. An all-conference player, Curley also earned honorable-mention all-state honors in Division 2 last season. Defense will be a strong point for the squad, as senior defenders Olivia Gearld and Chelsey Thelen and junior defender Dani Schaub all made honorable-mention all-conference. The Redwings also welcome back senior goalkeeper Hannah Trevino, who also earned honorable-mention all-league honors.
St. Johns is also solid in the midfield. Sophomore midfielder Erika Curley was an all-conference and all-district pick a year ago, and junior midfielders Anna Clarizio and Kylie Hollis earned all-conference honors last season.
Junior midfielders Cassie Rapelje and Emily Wenzlick are two more players who earned honorable-mention all-league honors.
A pair of transfers from Laingsburg will give the Redwings even more talent at their disposal. Junior forward Sarah Drury was a first-team all-state selection in Division 4 last year, while junior midfielder Maddie Wilsey was a second-team all-state pick.
“We lost a huge scoring threat in Megan Feldpausch to graduation, but we picked up two transfers from Laingsburg in Wilsey and Drury,” coach Kim Brewbaker said. “We also return our entire defensive back line, led by Katie Curley. We return a very strong midfield that will be complemented by several talented underclassmen that will round out a very talented team. If we can stay healthy, we can compete with the area’s best and hopefully make a run in the state tournament.”