Spring Sports Preview: Ingram inherits Spoofhound program

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM
MARYVILLE SOCCER – Shown from left, front row: Mallory Coffelt, Lauren Jaster, Gracyn Hoover, Ava Stiff, Makayla Yaple, Payton Kurz, Chloe Little, Jayda Buck, Mylee Backman; second row: coach Isla Powell, Miah Stoecklein, Tatum Burson, Jersey Ingram, Lola Alvarez, Vivian Kain, Kambree Davis, Teagan Brandkamp, Kori Quinlin, Alannah Chavez, coach Stephanie Ingram; back row: coach Matt Stoecklein, Ryesen Stiens, Leah Wonderly, Claire Walter, Braelyn Hannigan, Makinzee Brion, Presley Ingram, Channing Harbin, Jaidaci Wilmes and Jalea Price.

Stephanie Ingram knows a thing or two about Spoofhound soccer. She was a standout player herself under coach Dale Reuter and then watched her younger three sisters excel under Jesus Gonzalez.

When Gonzalez, the Class 2 Public School Coach of the Year, left to take over the program in Kearney — Ingram was selected as the choice to step in and lead the Spoofhounds along with assistant coaches Matt Stoecklein, Ilsa Powell and Adam Teale.

“I’m just really excited,” Ingram said. “We’ve got a good group of girls and I’ve started to get to know them already. It has been really great.”

Ingram still has a pair of her sisters on the team with senior Presley Ingram and sophomore Jersey Ingram. Each are coming off strong seasons last year, but will miss this season with knee injuries.

Despite the injuries already, Maryville returns a talented young core which begins with the a pair of All-State selections junior forward Jalea Price and sophomore defender Payton Kurz.

Labeling Kurz as a defender may be premature as the First Team All-State selection moved all over the pitch last season before settling in on the back end. She may see a different role this season with her versatility.

“I’m super excited for Payton,” Ingram said. “She did suffer an ankle injury in basketball, but she will be back at it. She has the ball skills, she has the speed and she is really vocal for a sophomore. I think she will be good at keeping the line and holding the line together, communicating with the goalie and the offense.”

The strong defensive core of the Spoofhounds allows Kurz to move around with Makayla Yaple shining defensively last season and senior Ava Stiff looking like she is ready for a bigger role this season.

“I’m just looking forward to working together with the girls and keeping a strong line together because last year, we all had experience together, so I think that will help us again this year to have a strong line in general,” Stiff said.

Price was the focal point of the Spoofhound attack a season ago, finishing with 27 goals and 10 assists in 20 games. For her efforts, Price was named Second Team All-State.

“Jalea is just a natural leader,” Ingram said. “She will be returning at the top. She’s got good communication with the girls. The girls voted for captains and saw her as a leader as well as the two seniors and Braelyn (Hannigan).”

The Spoofhounds have other experienced offensive options alongside Price up front with junior Ryesen Stiens lining up on the outside. A new, but familiar face to the offensive push is junior Braelyn Hannigan.

“Ryesen is very strong on the outside wing,” Ingram said.

Hannigan made an instant impact as a freshman in the midfield, but didn’t play for the Spoofhounds last season. She has consistently played club soccer and is back with the Spoofhounds this season.

“I’m really excited,” Ingram said of adding Hannigan back in the mix. “I just think the communication amongst those girls is so good. They’ve played together for a while so it just kind of gives them that chemistry. I’m excited to watch them play and move the ball.”

Senior Lauren Jaster adds to the experience in the midfield as a part-time player in previous seasons, but someone who will be counted on to lead this season.

“We started getting ready this winter and I am really excited for the games to start,” Jaster said. “Everyone is putting in lots of effort every single day. … Our underclassmen are stepping up and I think that we will be ready.”

The goalkeeper position is the one with the least experience returning, but Ingram is excited about the trio of players competing for the position left by the graduation of All-MEC keeper Abby Swink. Tatum Burson and Mallory Coffelt were the team’s backup goalies last season and return to compete for the job, but are also joined by freshman Claire Walter in the competition.

“Me and Mallory are returning from last year,” Burson said. “This is my third year. I’m really hoping to get that primary spot secured.”

While Burson says the competition is intense for the spot with just one going to be able to be on the field at a time, Burson, Coffelt and Walter are good friends and have kept the competition fun.

“Me and Mallory, we get along, we banter and whatnot,” Burson said. “And Claire has been a good addition with Abby gone. I’m looking forward to seeing how she plays in with us as well.”