-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge girls soccer returning Letterwinners are, left to right, Front Row: Tyran Peterman, Camden Doster, Paige Lloyd, Jase Madison, Silvia Heldorfer Back Row: Tristen Holst, Ava Sells, Abby Hemandez, Maddie Lee, Layla Ellis Not pictured: Tessa Carlson, Kenia Zepeda, Paige Lewis

G Myers was excited the first day she walked into practice.

The Fort Dodge girls soccer coach had been fighting for better numbers on the pitch. This season, the program has turned the corner.

In the initial team meeting, there were 22 girls. And as the season opens this Tuesday, there are now 30 on the roster.

“The girls really poured in from the first week of practice on,” Myers said. “It’s been exciting. They want to be a part of a program, and we are definitely at a better starting place to start than we have been (in previous years).

“They are happy to know that we have a good shot at competing.”

Last spring, the Dodgers ended their long losing streak and eventually picked up a pair of victories. Myers is hoping to build from that positive momentum in 2024.

“I can’t wait for the season to start,” Myers said. “We finally have a year that I can look down the schedule and believe we will be able to compete.

“Our returning girls know what they can do, and we have some others who have been around the program and are coming back with a chip on their shoulder.”

Fort Dodge’s defense will be led by a strong group of upperclassmen. Returning in the box for the Dodgers is senior Camden Doster, who made the move from back defender to goalkeeper last year.

“The way she (Doster) carries herself is very positive,” Myers said. “She is doing a fantastic job. She took the initiative and stepped in. I know I can count on her…when you get her word, that’s it.

“There is a lot of pressure to be a goalkeeper, and she is her own biggest critic. I just have to teach her to love herself and be confident.”

Seniors returning for the Dodgers are St. Edmond student Silvia Heldorfer and Maddie Lee. Also competing for the Dodgers are seniors Kira Kollbaum and Natia Tsiteladze.

“Every year, my senior class has known the expectations,” Myers said. “They pass that (mentality) down, knowing we don’t blame anyone.

“They play together and as a team and hold both themselves and each other accountable.”

The Dodgers return all of their scoring from a year ago, led by junior Jase Madison and sophomore Abbi Hernandez. Both Madison and Hernandez had four goals each in 2023.

“Abbi played defense until last year and was a little apprehensive to play on offense. Now, she doesn’t even look back,” Myers said. “She has really grown and is asking even more questions while gaining a lot of confidence. She has been able to drop the ball off and push forward with the numbers.

“Jase is holding her own and getting better and better, too.”

Juniors Paige Lloyd, Tessa Carlson, Tristen Holst, Paige Lewis, Kenia Suriano Zepeda, Ava Sells and sophomores Layla Ellis Tyran Peterman are the squad’s other returning letterwinners. Carlson had three goals and three assists last spring, while Heldrofer and junior Keniz Suriano Zepeda contributed two goals each.

“Tessa has come to play. This is the best version of Tessa I’ve seen,” Myers said. “She hangs her hat on distributing the ball is intently focused on where the ball goes. She can it to where it needs to be. She gets it to Silvia, Jase and Paige with tremendous accuracy.”

Myers loves the fact that the defense has a strong nucleus returning.

“Ava (Sells) was injured last season, but now she is back at full-strength,” Myers said. “With Ava and Maddie (Lee) back there, they’re able to watch the field well.”

Fort Dodge now has a chance to develop its younger players, as well as fill in spots where necessary. Freshmen Addison Lentsch and Bella Lee are expected to contribute offensively.

Fort Dodge is also now under a sharing agreement with Pocahontas Area, and have four players making the 45-minute trip to play.

“We have a big freshman class, which is exciting,” Myers said. “They’re making the sophomores and juniors work for their spot, which is the way it should be. It’s great to have people competing for positions and being able to keep everything in a structured form, versus having everyone playing all over the place. That disrupts the flow of the game.”

Myers is also pleased that the young group has a strong knowledge of the game.

“They’re coming in with good skills that I can build on,” Myers said. “They know the soccer language and are willing to learn. They are eager to try new things that they need to know. They are willing to slow down, stop and look at the scenarios.

“They are here to play soccer and be a part of a team, but I really push them to also be good citizens and good sports.”

Myers will be assisted by Nick Sells.

“I don’t know if I could have done this without Nick,” Myers said. “Nick has jumped right in with soccer experience and knows what to expect from me. He gives me feedback and pushback.

“It’s great to be able to have someone to run a practice with me and man the drills.”

The Dodgers open the season on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium against Des Moines Lincoln. Junior varsity action is at 6 p.m. with varsity to follow at 7:30.

2024 FORT DODGE GIRLS SOCCER

Roster

Seniors

Camden Doster, Silvia Heldorfer, Kira Kollbaum, Maddie Lee, Natia Tsiteladze, Lenja Szarbinowski.

Juniors

Paige Lloyd, Jase Madison, Kenia Suriano Zepeda, Paige Lewis, Tristen Holst, Ava Sells, Tessa Carlson, Filippo Nielsen, Wendy Martinez.

Sophomores

Kailey Edwards, Lincoln Johnson, Abigail Hernandez, Layla Ellis, Aianna Kirby, Tyran Peterman.

Freshmen

Danicka Calahan, Anna Fritts, Evie Heldorfer, Ella Johnson, Maleah Landfair, Bella Lee, Addison Lentsch, Jennifer Merida Guillen, Cecilia Sancez, Rian Wisthoff, Shana Ives, Jasmyn Bravo.

Schedule

April 2 — Des Moines Lincoln; 5 — Marshalltown; 12 — at Waterloo West; 16 — Des Moines East; 19 — Ames; 22 — at Humboldt; 23 — at Roosevelt; 26 — Mason City; 30 –Des Moines Hoover.

May 2 — at East Sac County; 7 — at Des Moines North; 14 — at Webster City.