FORTVILLE — Losing is a word best avoided for Mt. Vernon girls soccer coach Steve Williams.
“I hate losing,” Williams laughed. “I hate losing more than I like winning to be honest.”
While winning isn’t everything to Williams, who obviously understands life’s grander perspective, the opposite can certainly elevate the blood pressure.
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And, the feeling is mutual for his Marauders, especially since Williams took over the program in 2014.
In the past six seasons, the Marauders have posted an 80-31 record overall with three outright and one shared Hoosier Heritage Conference championship the last four years.
Despite numerous team successes, however, the one missing piece through it all — besides in 2015 — has been a sectional title.
Last year, Class 3A Mt. Vernon lost in the sectional finals, 3-0, to East Central. In 2018, it was Franklin Central that slipped past the Marauders, 1-0, in the sectional championship.
East Central spoiled their postseason aspirations in 2017 with a 2-1 sectional finals win. HHC rival Greenfield-Central halted their quest at a repeat sectional run in the 2016 title game.
With eight returning starters and seven seniors on the varsity roster this fall, the Marauders are primed to attack the wins column, once again, but it’s not like the past, Williams emphasized.
After months of quarantine and the uncertainty surrounding the 2020 season an on-going concern, the Marauders’ outlook on winning has amplified.
“It’s a different year. They’ve been more focused. I think, it’s because we have so many seniors. In practice, they stay around longer, lifting, and I’ve just noticed a different atmosphere,” Williams said.
“I think they’re happy to have a season. They’re tired of being indoors, and I think they’ve come to practice with some excitement. It’s a big senior class, and they just know. There’s a lot of leadership this year.”
Seasoned initiative on the field also brings a tremendous amount of production. In 2019, the Marauders averaged 4.1 goals scored per match with 77 to finish 13-6 on the year and a flawless 7-0 in the HHC.
The class of 2021 carries a 44-12 record the past three years and entering their final campaign they were responsible for 41 goals fired into the net a year ago.
Losing isn’t on the agenda for the Marauders, who will be led by senior midfielder Anna Isger (14 goals, six assists), midfielder Katie Gawrys (12 goals, three assists), defender Taylor Bostic, midfielder Shay Stindle (six goals), forward Rylie Pearson (eight goals, eight assists), defender Anna Miller and defender Macy Wilson.
“We’ve had a lot of success in the last four years. We haven’t lost a conference game since 2017 against Pendleton (Heights),” said Williams, who has led Mt. Vernon to a 27-1 HHC record since 2016. “Having said that, we don’t take anything for granted, that’s for sure. We’re working hard right now.”
The talent and motivation to win is widespread from top to bottom, too.
Juniors Maddie Swingle returns at sweeper after registering seven goals and three assists last season. Junior Shay Shipley was the team’s second-best scorer with 12 goals and seven assists in 2019.
Junior Brianna Hale rejoins the Marauders this fall along with four freshmen newcomers in Ellie Gawrys, Mattie Isger, Addison Lockwood and Lillian Muhlenkamp.
“I think we’ll be better than we were last year. Isger and Gawrys both have sisters that came in as freshmen this year, and it looks like they’re going to be starters,” Williams said. “This is our senior-laden class because we were young last year, so we bring back seven seniors. And, all of them can play. Knock on wood, if we stay healthy, we’re going to be hard to beat.”
In goal, the Marauders have junior Riley Britt. She primarily played in the field as a sophomore with two goals scored, but she has made a smooth conversion during the offseason.
“Riley Britt is a really quality kid. She’s picking it up really quick and will be a nice addition,” Williams said. “We used her some last year and trained her, putting her in there a little bit.”
The acclimation process won’t take long with the season opener set for Monday at home against Bishop Chatard, followed by five consecutive road matches, including at Greenfield-Central on Aug. 24.
“On paper, we’re as strong as we’ve ever been,” Williams said. “But, most of our big games are away this year, and you never know. We go to Greenfield and New Pal, so you don’t know what to expect. And, we have a target. We know going in we’re probably going to get everybody’s best game.”
This year, the Marauders are ready to dish it out as much as they receive it, especially with their HHC title defense on the line and a tasking sectional field ahead.
“Last year, we ran into East Central in sectional, but East Central is a top-20 team. It wasn’t an upset. They’re for real,” Williams said. “We can score by committee, which helps. We have a lot of moving pieces. We have a rotation where we can do this or that. I just hope I don’t mess it up.”
