Free State High's girls soccer team hopes the intricate link it seems to share with the girls basketball squad works both ways.
After the girls basketball team went winless (0-21) during 1997-98 season, the soccer team equaled the feat at 0-17. Now, coming off a season that saw the most basketball victories ever, the soccer squad hopes to answer the accomplishment.
"I think the success the girls basketball team had and the fact that Lauren Wilkinson, Kristin Bock and Katie Rhodes played key roles and that program showing rapid improvement, I think that's going to be key as all three of those girls are going to be starters that we count on," second-year FSHS coach Jason Pendleton said.
"In particular, Lauren anchoring the defense and Kristin solidifying the midfield, those are crucial roles."
Wilkinson and Bock joined fellow senior Rhodes in leading the basketball team to its first Class 6A state tournament berth. Wilkinson and Bock also were selected as captains.
Free State opens its season March 27 at Shawnee Heights.
Although the Firebirds lost just three starters and 10 of this year's top 11 players started at least one game last year, Free State does have to fill the void left by Missy Garcia.
"It'll be tough to replace Missy Garcia," Pendleton said of the former Firebird, who graduated early and will play for Emporia State. "She provided a spark for us with her ability to score on free kicks, and her soccer knowledge will be missed."
The Firebirds do return their top two leading scorers in junior Morgan Matthews and sophomore Michelle Garcia, Missy's sister. Matthews, who led the squad with 10 goals, received All-Sunflower League honorable mention.
Also back are juniors Katy Vormehr and Kelsey Mellard. The latter is another all-league honorable mention selection who will join Bock and Wilkinson as tri-captains.
"Kelsey, defensively, is going to be big for us, too," Pendleton said. "She's done a really nice job in the offseason and emerged as one of the leaders of the underclassmen."
The Firebirds also return their starting goalkeeper in sophomore Alicia Sellon.
The Firebirds have finished 0-17, 1-16 and then 5-12 last season.
Are there even more wins on the horizon for this year?
"I think we're definitely a better team than we were last year," Pendleton said. "I think overall we have better players. We don't have as much depth in terms of experienced players, but I would say we're a better team than we were last year.
"We worked harder in the offseason than we did last year. The kids have made more of a commitment. I would think in those capacities, we are better."
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