The Republic girls soccer team enters the 2025 season with a roster full of players who are comfortable in different roles, creating flexibility that head coach Jesus Zuniga hopes will surprise opponents.
“A strength is lots of kids who can play in multiple positions,” Zuniga said. “I think that’s why people may see something different out of us this year. Because we won’t just have one legit goal scorer. We won’t just use the wings like we have in the past.”
The Lady Tigers are coming off a successful 2024 campaign, and while they want to build on that foundation, Zuniga says this year’s team can’t spend time comparing themselves to last year’s group.
“There is a foundation laid out. There’s a standard now that we have to try to uphold and do our best to meet it, but we can’t compare ourselves to that team because a lot of those girls were starters from the beginning with me,” Zuniga said.
Five seniors will lead the squad, each bringing different strengths to the field. Adison Gibbs returns as the team’s highest goal scorer from last season.
“Gibby is a workhorse,” Zuniga said. “Great leadership with these younger kids. She’s willing to play on the back line, will play up top. I started playing her in the midfield and she’s done excellent.”
Claire Redman joined the program last year and brings a high soccer IQ to the team.
“Another kid who is very competitive,” Zuniga said. “She’s always willing to teach these younger kids what to do. She knows the game exceptionally well.”
Cadence Lugar will likely play in the midfield, bringing her positive attitude to the same position where she operated last season.
“She’s just a goofball and the kids love that about her,” Zuniga said. “If we put Gibby in there with her, they just know each other really well. There’s chemistry there.”
Kaylee Cornelsen brings versatility to the midfield position.
“I’ve seen confidence build up out of her,” Zuniga said. “She does such a good job of playing that holding mid role. I think she just naturally gravitates there.”
Sophie Woolfenden could be a surprise contributor after seeing limited varsity minutes in previous seasons.
“She could be our secret weapon that no one knows about because no one’s really seen her play,” Zuniga said. “Sophomore year, I recall her playing on the wing quite a bit. Last year, we played her on the back line because we needed a defender, which goes back to how (flexible) this group is.”
Junior Macey Mitchell returns to the field after missing the past two seasons with injuries. She has already made an impact in preseason training. Her return gives the Lady Tigers another offensive weapon.
“She hasn’t played a season with us. We knew what she’s capable of. Her knowledge of the game allows her to be a threat by herself if she wants to, but I don’t think she will be that way.”
The defensive core will look different this season but features junior Bria Claxton, who Zuniga expects to emerge as an even bigger contributor with the graduation of her older sister, Brooklyn. “She’s very fiery in the back line. She’s aggressive,” Zuniga said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if, as a defender, she gets quite a few goals on corner kicks. She will be a huge part of what our back line does this year.”
Junior Emma Hoodenpyle shifts to defense after previously playing in attacking positions.
“She’s athletic,” Zuniga said. “Last year she played a lot in the attack on JV, got minutes at varsity kind of on the wing, and now she’s willing to play in the back line. She’s looked great back there, and she’s even said she enjoys it.”
Junior Awbree Berning returns as goalkeeper with high expectations.
“She could break the shutout record for a career this year,” Zuniga said. “It’s not just her. It’s the back line she’s had in front of her.”
Junior Paige Elsenraat will be sidelined early, but hopes to join the team later in the season, adding another experienced player to the mix. Sophomore Gracee Phelps is in line to see increased playing time, especially early in the year as the Lady Tigers find themselves short-handed because in a couple of positions.
The program welcomes 17 new players this year, giving Republic its highest numbers since Zuniga took over. The freshman class has been particularly impressive in preseason workouts.
“Phenomenal group,” Zuniga said. “The freshman group has shown up consistently. It’s just a very good athletic group. They’re girls who say they’ve played soccer and you can see it. Because of their commitment to the off-season, I feel like we’re already ahead with this group than we have been the last two years.”
Zuniga expects the depth of the roster to pay off with increased competition for playing time, and that has been one focus of his message to players during the preseason: “If you’re bitter about the scenario, you’ve got to get better. And if you’re better, you’re not going to be bitter.”
Republic opens with road matches at Sedalia Smith-Cotton and Capital City on Friday and Saturday, March 21-22.
