Springs sports are approaching, and among the teams preparing is the Lady Jags soccer team.

The team has high hopes for the season and looks forward to its future success. Head coach Todd Findley explained the drawbacks of the year, one of the biggest being the lost class of 2017, but he also knows what the team needs to do to be successful.

“Unfortunately, we graduated a very skilled group of seniors last year,” Findley said, “And we have had a great number of injuries. Our returners will need to bond with the new players to make this a successful season.”

There are few returners this season, as the line-up last year was senior heavy. Among those returners are senior Molly Voigt, sophomore Brie Severns, and senior Kaylee Connors. Findley knows that while they’re limited in that department, they will still need those girls to lead.

“There are only a few returners that started most of the varsity games last season,” Findley said, “We do have a big group of seniors though, and they will need to bring leadership and guidance to the team.”

Connors isn’t worried about there being a lack of leadership.

“I believe that the returners and the rest of the seniors will always be there for the younger players and that we will be able to lead them on and off the field,” Connors said.

An important aspect of any team is learning and improving together, Findley understands this and is excited for it.

“I look forward to the individual and team growth to see if we can compete in a challenging conference,” Findley said.

Voigt also looks forward to the growth.

“Every year the season comes around and the team improves together, we all work together and we always have had a good relationship,” Voigt said.

There are high hopes for the season, and Findley knows that they always have a good time together come soccer season, but there is still winning to be done.

“It’s always a fun Spring being around these athletes. The schedule is very difficult and it’s rewarding to see the team grow and compete.”

Connors looks forward to the challenge of the schedule.

“The conference is good and our schedule looks difficult, but with the team we have I’m confident that if we work together and play the way I know we can, it will be just fine,” Connors said.

The Jaguars finished second in the Platte County tournament this past week. They beat St. Pius X 5-0 and Staley 2-0, but lost to Grain Valley 2-1 in the championship game on Wednesday. The Jags play at home on Monday against Kearney.