GREENFIELD — With just two seniors graduated from a 14-3 squad and the Hancock County Player of the Year among the returnees, Greenfield-Central looks like they could be on the verge of another solid year.
The bad news for opponents is that could be the case next year and the next year and …
While little may be gone, Brandon Steeno’s Cougars are still a very young club. He has just six seniors.
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And with the past successes, the excitement for girls soccer has grown in the community. Steeno has 34 kids competing for spots which gives the Cougars an opportunity to have a full junior varsity team for the first time since 2012.
“That’s a big deal for our program,” Steeno said.
Another big deal is Kelsi McLaughlin.
The reigning county player of the year is back and she’s still just a junior.
In 2019, McLaughlin scored 33 goals, one shy of the school record, and added eight assist for an impressive 74-point season. If she would have played more full games — she was subbed for halfway through a number of blowout victories — that scoring total could have even been higher.
“She’s a special player,” Steeno said of the player he affectionately describes as a ‘soccer nerd’, for her dedication and knowledge of the game. “She’s a student of the game and that’s extremely important for our freshman and all the newcomers. No one wants to listen to just the ‘frog-voiced’ coach all the time.”
Having McLaughlin and others back helps soften the blow of losing two outstanding seniors. Both Anne Marie DeKeyser and Emily Davidson, like McLaughlin, were part of the all-county and All-Hoosier Heritage Conference teams. DeKeyser scored 24 goals, second only to McLaughlin, and led the county in assists with 17. She earned a scholarship to play NCAA Division I soccer at Ball State University.
Davidson, a four-year player and co-captain with DeKeyser, had two assists last season, but her main chore was being the anchor of the G-C defense.
All six of Steeno’s seniors will have significant roles.
Zuleny Calderon is another returning All-HHC performer. She’ll be that anchor on defense, but don’t be surprised to see her in the midfield, too.
Steeno said, he and staff are coaching kids to be soccer players and not position specific.
That versatility is shared with two other returning seniors in Kennedy Trapp and Kambell Trapp. They’ll pair up as midfielders, but they’re both very familiar playing as defenders.
Morgan Murdoch, Macy Huber and Schyler Slunaker are other members from the Class of 2021. Slunaker is a two-year starter at goalkeeper, but Steeno said she’s a good “field player” and could see time away from the net.
If so, sophomore Hannah Skene or freshman Jessica Merritt could play goalkeeper.
Murdoch was a sparkplug off the bench last season, while Huber also returns with game experience.
The vets will play a big part, but with the growth in roster, the young kids will play big parts, too. Even some of the returnees will be working extra hard to secure spots on the field.
“We have competition for positions like we’ve never had,” Steeno said of his 34-player roster that includes 24 freshmen and sophomores.
Three returnees competing and adding to the Cougars depth are sophomores Cora Bishop, Sarah Contreras and Gladys Rodriguez.
With a lot of players involved in club soccer, Steeno said many on his team got a head start to COVID-19 related restrictions and protocol. Earlier this week they also got a chance to compete against an opponent.
In a scrimmage held without fans, the Cougars got a good workout against Fishers on Tuesday.
Steeno said the playing part was no different than in past, but when players came off the field they would put on a mask.
“We came out of it with seeing stuff we had to work on and a lot of stuff we were happy with,” Steeno said. “All of our freshmen played well and we got to play people in different spots.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed and doing everything we can to keep it going.”
The regular-season opener is scheduled for Wednesday at Roncalli. On Saturday, Aug. 22, the Cougars are scheduled to visit Lebanon. The home opener is Monday, Aug. 24. It’s a big one, too. The Cougars welcome county/conference and sectional rival Mt. Vernon, the defending HHC champ, that knocked them out of last year’s sectional tournament.
