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Dodger girls feeling confident

Messenger photo by Chris Johnson Returning letterwinners for the Fort Dodge girls soccer team include, front row (left to right): Kenzie Fuller, Olivia Camamo and Raeya Love. Middle: Iris Peimann, Molly Hartman, Mara Crimmins and Hannah Amhof. Back: Liza Van Zyl, Justice Crooks, Meagan Hartman, Brook Erickson and Leah Thompson. Not pictured: Hannah Huss, Kacee Gollob and Kaylee Clow.

With one of the school’s top scorers back and a Div. I goal keeper in the mix, the Fort Dodge girls soccer team has all the ingredients to put together a strong season.

Senior Iris Peimann enters the season with 24 career goals. She scored six times last year, after tallying 10 as a sophomore and eight in her rookie campaign.

On the defensive side, the Dodgers are led by Drake commit Liz Van Zyl. Last season, Van Zyl was productive despite fighting through injuries.

Van Zyl, who was second team All-CIML goal keeper as a freshman, only allowed 25 goals and had 89 saves a year ago.

“She injured her hand halfway through the season,” said third-year head coach Michael Lee. “She’s a great player, great teammate and properly demonstrates the right attitude.

“After her sophomore season, she got a scholarship offer from Drake. That shows what they see in her.”

Senior Justice Crooks is also one of the key returnees for the Dodgers. Crooks had five goals last spring.

Junior Kenzie Fuller had four goals a year ago, giving her eight for her career. Classmate Mara Crimmins had three, and has recorded five in her career.

The Dodgers return 15 letterwinners from 2016.

“We have a very strong group of letterwinners and upperclassmen,” Lee said. “This is my third year, and I believe this is the strongest group that I’ve had.

“We not only have experience, but these girls have grown up with soccer and understand the game. We are in good shape for the next two seasons, with our group now and the experience we will gain.”

Lee also believes that team chemistry will help carry this group.

“We are a very close-knit squad; they all get along,” Lee said. “We have tried to cultivate a great atmosphere, win or lose.

“They find the game very gratifying. They play with joy.”

Playing within the CIML gives the Dodgers a challenge every night.

“We can match any team athletically, but we are playing against pretty much club squads,” Lee said. “We’ve had a couple of girls play (in the offseason), but for most, our high school season is it.

“We want to play technically and tactically once we hit the field.”

Lee also aknowledges the addition of assistant coach Sidney McField as a key attribute.

“He helped us before part time, but now he’s full-time,” Lee said. “He played semi-pro and was a teacher and coach in Nicaragua.

“His knowledge of the game far exceeds mine. I’ve really enjoyed our interaction and we’ve had a great partnership. I’m more of a concrete thinker; he has the artistic aspect and he will definitely help as they progress.”

The Dodgers’ first action will be Monday when they travel to Des Moines East.

SCHEDULE

April 3 — at Des Moines East, 4:45 p.m.; 6 — Sioux City North, 7 p.m.; 13 — at Dowling, 5:30 p.m.; 21 — Des Moines Roosevelt, 7:30 p.m.; 24 — Marshalltown, 7:30 p.m.

May 2 — Mason City, 7:30 p.m.; 5 — at Des Moines Lincoln, 4:45 p.m.; 8 — at Urbandale, 7:30 p.m.; 11 — Humboldt, 7 p.m.; 13 — at North Polk/Des Moines Lincoln, 9 a.m.; 16 — at Ankeny Centennial, 7:30 p.m.; 19 — Ames, 7:30 p.m.; 23 — at Valley, 7:30 p.m.

ROSTER

Seniors — Iris Peimann, Meagan Hartman, Lexi Wade, Hannah Amhof, Justice Crooks, Caroline Boeijink, Shariah Smith.

Juniors — Liza Van Zyl, Hannah Huss, Makenzie Fuller, Mara Crimmins, Emily Price, Raeya Love, Brittany Kalvig, Kaylie Clow, Leah Thompson, Emily Price.

Sophomoes — Olivia Camamo, Molly Hartman, Brooke Erickson, Kacee Gollob, Ellie Yoder, Brooklyn Rowden, Christyn Nichols, Tatum Rees, Laney Rees, Amaliya McCaulley, Kacee Gollob.

Freshmen — Larissa Chardoulias, Alex Villalobos, Raelle Wilder, Ciarra Love, Reagan Young, Maggie Conrad, Claire Fleming, Azzy Martinez.

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