Ladycats exceeded expectations in 2023

As the 2023 campaign got underway in January, no one quite knew what to expect from the Aledo Ladycats soccer club this season. The young team featured just six seniors among a bevy of younger talent with little to no varsity experience.

Aledo boasted a good crop of senior leaders in 2022, but the question of who would fill those roles in their absence was a real concern heading into this season.

Once the Ladycats took the pitch immediately following the holidays, all of those questions became resounding statements made by a group of young ladies on a mission.

“I feel like we definitely exceeded expectations after losing good talent last year,” Ladycats coach Bryan Johnson said of his club’s performance in 2023. “We only had six seniors this year. A lot of the girls had quality playing time in junior varsity before this season, which I feel like was more beneficial than if they had sat on the bench in varsity.

“This was our goalkeeper’s first time playing the position. She usually plays in the field, but we thought this would be a good opportunity for her, and she embraced it. I’m excited to see how much she improves through the offseason with a little more experience. I feel confident going forward.”

The Ladycats – who finished the year with an overall record of 17-7-2 and a District 5-5A record of 9-3 for second place – got some significant game experience right out of the gate thanks to a trio of tournaments early in January. Coming out of those three tournaments sporting a record of 6-3-2 went a long way to bolster the confidence of this young crew and what they could accomplish as the season marched on.

Every team is filled with its share of obstacles to overcome. During this season, the Ladycats had their share of adversities. However, there’s no tragedy that impacts a team as tight-knit as this Aledo club was, like losing a beloved teammate to a season-ending injury.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened on Feb. 24, with Saginaw in town.

In the early minutes of the match, Sydney Mcguire raced down the near side of the field while battling a Lady Rough Rider. Mcguire dribbled past the defense and attempted a pass back to the middle of the box in hopes one of her teammates would get a shot on goal. As she planted to kick the ball back across her body, she felt an all too familiar tear in her knee as she collapsed to the turf writhing in agony.

In that moment laying on the ground clutching her injured knee waiting on the team trainer, she knew her season was lost. She also knew exactly how grueling the road to recovery is going to be.

“That was a huge blow,” Johnson recounted. “This is the third time she’s had an ACL injury. We did a lot of work before the season to strengthen her quad to protect the knee, but sometimes it just can’t be helped. You just never know. They’ve told her it will be nine months of work to recover. I’ve told her to prepare like she’s going to play next season just to help her stay motivated, but she’s already decided she doesn’t want to play in college.

“That’s tough, because that was her goal as a freshman. Whether she’s back next year, or if she decides to just cheer us on, she’ll be the best at whatever she decides.”

Beyond just the personal impact of an injury like that, losing a key player has huge implications for the team, as well.

“I didn’t know where we would get goals,” Johnson stated. “We were getting little goals here and there, but she was our primary scoring threat to that point in the season. Somebody was going to have to step up and score goals.”

With Mcguire on the sidelines sporting a knee brace as she cheered on her teammates, everyone acclimated to their new roles for the good of the team. Harper Smith, Emaree Gibson, and Reagan Krajca led the scoring attack for the Ladycats the remainder of the season as they went 3-1 down the stretch to secure a playoff berth.

The Ladycats dominated North Side in the opening round of the playoffs before succumbing to a resolute Midlothian team in round two.

“ was there [at the Midlothian game],” Johnson recalled. “She cheered the girls on. I’m not saying she would’ve made the difference in the Midlothian game, but she would’ve given us another option they would’ve had to plan for.”

Aledo’s season came to an end with the loss to Midlothian. The playoff run is one Johnson is still chewing on in the weeks after it concluded.

“I wouldn’t say I was frustrated by the loss to Midlothian,” he said. “It’s just kind of the tale of two ends. We shut out Northside, who we’ve never lost to. Then we lost to Midlothian, who we’ve never beat.”

As one season ends, preparation for the next season begins in short order. For Johnson, he’s already looking ahead with great anticipation.

“I’m one of those coaches who’s always excited about next season,” he stated. “Right now, I’ve got middle school soccer. We’ve got over 90 girls playing. We’re fortunate to have this much talent entering our program in the next few years.”