Note: Teams whose coach declined to respond are listed with last year’s record at the bottom of the page. All stats/starters were provided by information listed on the Varsity Bound site.
West Central Trojans
Last Year: 13-1-1, State Champions
2021 All-State: Campbell Fischer, Rylee Haldeman, Lily Sidel
West Central is arguably THE dynasty since the sports official sponsorship from the SDHSAA. The Trojans currently hold 5 championship trophies from the last 6 seasons, just missing out in the 2019 season.
They will look to continue their great run this fall with a lot of talent returning. All-State Goalkeeper Campbell Fischer is back for her final season, along with state championship starters senior Tessa Vanoverbeke (D), senior Emma Goehring (D), senior Molli Thornton (F), junior Clara Nelson (MF), and sophomore Mara Schultz (F).
The Trojans also have a total of 16 upperclassmen players for the 2022 season. That’s a ton of leadership with a ton of championship experience; a deadly combo that makes West Central the favorite this year.
State Champions: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021
Dakota Valley Panthers
Last Year: 10-4-3, State Runner-Ups
2021 All-State: Grace Bass, Rylee Rosenquist
Last season was an incredible run for Dakota Valley, who finished a single goal shy of their first state championship. They will now have to replace a talented trio in All-Staters Grace Bass and Rylee Rosenquist, along with goalkeeper Ivey Winckler (129 saves, 90.8%), to get back to their performance from 2021.
Emma Deacon (SO, 2 goals) is the only returning starter with multiple goals last season, but Tyra Yi (FR) provided a pair of goals off of the bench. Other starters returning for the Panthers will be Claire Hemmingsen (JR), Grace Meyer (JR), and Ashlynn Stusse (JR).
The Panthers are going to need to replace a ton of talent from last year, but if they are able to recreate the magic from last postseason, this could be a very fun season.
Tea Area Titans
Last Year: 7-3-5, State Semifinalists
2021 All-State: Brooke Deckert, Aftyn Murray
After a tough loss in the state semifinals last season, the Titans are looking to get back to the mountain top in 2022. All-State MF/D Aftyn Murray returns for her junior campaign along with 8 seniors on a roster stacked with upperclassmen: Kendra McKinney (D/F), Emily Morales (F), Sami VanTol (F), Stella Peterson (MF), Jessica Nelson (GK), Sydney Neuhardt (F/MF), Kara Knutson (F/D) and Sydney Sherwood (MF/F).
Tea Area also has 5 AA opponents on their schedule this season, so if anyone in this class is a threat to stop the West Central dynasty, an experienced Titans team have a strong case to be that team.
State Champions: 2019
SFC Chargers
Last Year: 9-3-3, State Semifinalists
2021 All-State: Moriah Harrison, Sidney Shock
The Chargers return just 6 starters from a great 2021 season, but that crew includes All-State member Moriah Harrison.
Alexandra McCaulley (7 goals, 5 assists) and Ava Schock (6 goals, 1 assist) were top goal scorers that are coming back this year, while Tessa Neugebauer (SO, 2 goals), Megan Aukes (SO, 1 goal, 1 assist) and Abby Baker (SO) round out the returning starters.
SFC are going to need some new faces to set up this next season, but the Chargers certainly have the talent to make a run at a title match.
Groton Area Tigers
Last Year: 4-6-1, State Quarterfinalists
2021 All-State: Riley Leicht
The Tigers took early victories against a slew of teams last fall, and are now looking to improve this season after playing a ton of underclassmen in 2021.
Sophomore Laila Roberts (F) was last year’s top scorer with 5 goals, and will only look to add to that total. Junior Sydney Leicht (MF) also had 3 goals in 2021, while sophomore Brooklyn Hansen (MF) was the only other returner to score a goal last season.
Those 3 will be joined by Emma Schnikel (JR, MF), Kennedy Hansen (SO, D), Jerica Locke (FR, MF), Jaedyn Penning (FR, GK), and Mia Krank (FR, MF) as returnees who started a game last season. The Tigers will need some more offensive production, but that’s a lot of varsity experience that will be playing in 2022.
Garretson Blue Dragons
Last Year: 2-10-1
Even with a tough season last year, the Blue Dragons are poised to make a jump in the standings this fall.
A trio of seniors in Raegen Altman, Morgan Damman, and Jenna Van Holland will look to lead the way. Garretson will also return juniors Kylie Christensen, Adi Fink, and Jordyn Williams, as well as sophomore Joely Sterud, who received significant playing time last season.
Garretson will need to fill some spots on the defense, and will look for underclassmen to complete that role. That can be tough for a team to replace quickly, but Garretson is bringing enough players back that to take some more victories in this class.
Belle Fourche Broncs
Last Year: 1-9-0
The Broncs had a tough 2021 season, but return all 11 starters, including seniors Natalia Biehl (F), Tori Brill (MF) and Jessica Dudley (F). With that much experience returning, there is a high probability that win column continues to increase.
State Champions: 2014
OTHER TEAMS:
St. Thomas More Cavaliers
Last Year: 4-8-1, State Quarterfinalists
State Champions: 2015
Vermillion Tanagers
Last Year: 3-6-1
2021 All-State: Megan Brady
