Class AA Girls Soccer Preview

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.

Roosevelt Rough Riders

Last Season: 8-5-2, State Champions

2021 All-State: Soraya Espino (1st), Katie Spicer (2nd)

Roosevelt completed an unbelievable run to win their first state championship last fall. Now, the Rough Riders will start as the #5 ranked team to defend their title.

They will have the most experienced defense in the state, as seniors Katie Spicer, Alexis Gosch, Alexas Brockmiller, and Ashlyn Kelliher return after allowing only 1.1 goals per game last season. Those four will be joined by junior goalkeeper Sadie Hunter, who gave up just 1 goal in the state tournament last year.

Along with that talented defense, senior forward Ava Steffen, junior midfielder Camryn Wilkinson, and sophomore midfielder Madison Smalley are back to defend the title. This team is going to have a lot of talent and experience back from last season, so it will be interesting to see if they can repeat the magic from last fall.

State Champions: 2021

Stevens Raiders

Last Season: 12-3-1, State Runner-Up

2021 All-State: Bresha Keegan (1st), Breanna Reagan (1st), Shea Ellender (2nd), Morgan Yost (2nd)

A talented team in their own right, the Raiders will be returning two All-State players in sophomore forward Breanna Reagan and junior goalkeeper Morgan Jost.

Stevens had quite a few senior starters in last year’s state championship, but a trio of seniors in Emma Comes (F), Brooke Adel (MF) and AJ Carr (D) are back to help lead this team to another title match.

Anytime you return multiple All-State players, teams are going to take notice. The Raiders also have pieces around those two, that a repeat to the title match is well within reach.

Aberdeen Central Golden Eagles

Last Season: 13-2-0, State Semifinalist

2021 All-State: Morgan Fiedler (1st), Taryn Hettich (1st), Deshanie Peters (2nd)

The Golden Eagles narrowly reached their goal of a state championship, and now set their sights on reaching new heights in 2022. Aberdeen will be losing All-Stater Morgan Fielder but return a 1st Team selection with Taryn Hettich (7 goals, 8 assists) and a 2nd Team selection with Deshanie Peters (13 goals, 9 assists).

2021 starters Makylie Miller (SR), Claire Schaunaman (SR, 1 goal), Alana Hansen (SR), and Courtney Nipp (SR, 1 goal, 1 ast.) will look to lead this year’s version of the team. Lauren Joosten (JR, 6 goals, 3 ast.) and Abigail Witte (JR, 4 goals, 1 ast.) also return after coming off of the bench last year.

Overall, that’s a lot of talent and senior leadership returning for Aberdeen, and their #2 preseason ranking is totally appropriate.

State Champions: 2012

Lincoln Patriots

Last Season: 10-3-2, State Semifinalist

2021 All-State: Avery Nelson (1st), Mariah Siem (2nd)

The top rated team in the state, the Patriots are looking for another state championship after their only title in 2014. Avery Nelson is gone, but 2nd Team All-State forward Mariah Siem is back to headline this squad.

She is joined by classmates Kylan Syverson (GK), Cassidy Jennings (GK), Isabella Moe (F), Ellie Hurt (MF), Taylor Benson (F), Lily Raysby (D), Mali Van Meeteren (MF) and Addie Fawcett (F) on a team filled with upperclassmen.

Reaching the title match is so difficult with the talent in this class, but the Patriots have the leadership and the willpower to be playing on the final day of the season.

State Champions: 2014

Spearfish Spartans

Last Season: 11-4-0, State Quarterfinalist

2021 All-State: Brooke Peotter (2nd)

Spearfish has a young team this season, with just six seniors on the roster, but a repeat of last year is not out of the question. All-State junior forward Brooke Peotter is back to lead the Spartans this fall.

RC Central Cobblers

Last Season: 10-4-0, State Quarterfinalist

2021 All-State: Kylea Becker (1st), Keyera Harmon (2nd)

The Cobblers are coming off of a great season, but return just 33 starts from last year’s team. Jacie Stephens (3 goals, 2 ast.) is the top scorer back, while Kaysie Dahl (2 goals, 2 ast.) and Adrianna Green (3 goals) are the only other players returning that have scored a goal.

This new version of the Cobblers will now need Lanie Weaver (JR, 8 starts), Mercy Godfrey (JR, 2 starts), Lanie Godfrey (SO, 2 starts), and Jada Backes (JR, 1 start) to take on big roles for Central.

State Champions: 2016

Brandon Valley Lynx

Last Season: 12-2-1, State Quarterfinalist

2021 All-State: Tyreese Zacher (1st), Emma Kirlin (2nd)

BV is coming off of two excellent seasons with a state championship in 2020 and a 12-win season in 2021. Now, a big senior class is hoping to lead Lynx back to the title match.

1st Team All-Stater Tyreese Zacher will headline that senior squad, along with 2nd Team All-Stater Emma Kirlin.

Seniors Hadley Meier, Torre Gulseth, Mara Nelson, Kennedi Woessner, Allison Ebbing, Madeline Reisch, and Kelsi Sylliaasen all scored goals last season. Therefore, it’s easy to see that the Lynx are going to bring a lot of experience and leadership to the pitch. The Lynx aren’t in the preseason top 5, but don’t be surprised if they make another big run this year.

State Champions: 2020

Watertown Arrows

Last Season: 8-8-0, State Quarterfinalist

2021 All-State: Katelyn Hanson (1st)

The Arrows are returning one of, if not the, best goalkeeper in the state. Katelyn Hanson is returning off of an impressive 90.3% save percentage and a 1st Team All-State selection.

Watertown also returns their top two scorers in Aspen Reynolds (JR, 5 goals, 5 ast.), and Rylie Campbell (SR, 4 goals, 6 ast.). Regan Campbell (SR, 4 goals, 4 ast.), Elizabeth Olson (SR, 2 goals), Katie Fischer (8th, 4 goals), Makenna Blank (FR, 1 goal), Shelby Spilde (SO, 1 ast.), and Sophie Kannas (JR) return from last season.

If the Arrows can increase their offensive production from last season, this could be a really solid team in 2022.

Pierre Governors

Last Season: 9-4-1

The Governors have continually proven to be a solid program, with back-to-back titles in 17′ and 18′, along with a good record in 2022.

This year’s team will feature 6 seniors, Caitlyn Schaetzle (MF), Ava Flottmeyer (MF), Elli Hughes (F), Nevaeh Baade (MF), Taylor Curry (D), and Margaret Maher (D), who will lead a team with a large amount of underclassmen on the roster.

State Champions: 2017, 2018

Harrisburg Tigers

Last Season: 8-4-3

2021 All-State: Sydney Hage (2nd)

The Tigers will have to replace All-Stater Sydney Hage, but a large junior class will look to lead this team back to the playoffs. They will be joined by seniors Sophia Smithback (D) and Kamden Kulpers (F/D).

Mitchell Kernels

Last Season: 5-8-1

2021 All-State: Mia Mullenmeister (1st)

Mitchell featured a very young team last season, and now the Kernels are looking to bring that experience back to the pitch. All-Stater Mia Mullenmeister returns to lead the way after scoring 21 goals in her sophomore campaign. Kenzi Kayl and Taryn Thomas were both middle schoolers in 2021 but made 6 goals each in 2021.

Lily Peterson (JR, 4 goals, 6 assists) will provide a bigger role for the Kernels, who will also return Taylin Deckert (SR), Janesa Thiesse (SR), Maddie Kempf (JR), Ava Zilla (JR), Makenzie Peterson (SO) and Kassey Knippling (FR).

In the goal, Alexa Chapman (SO, 59 saves, 79.7%) and Tenley Peterson (SO, 57 saves, 81.4%) split time last season.

Overall, this is a young team that brings back a ton of experience, and is only going to get better.

O’Gorman Knights

Last Season: 5-6-2

2021 All-State: Libby Castelli (1st)

Another young team in 2021, the Knights look to continue to succeed. Ize North will return for her third year in the goal while 1st Team All-State Libby Castelli will lead OG in 2022.

Nora Johnson and Nora Boetel are a strong duo who will look to compliment Castelli. Meanwhile, newcomers Ainsley Groos and Hadley Kerkvliet are looking to make an immediate impact to the program.

State Champions: 2013, 2015

Yankton Gazelles

Last Season: 4-8-2

2021 All-State: Cora Schurman (2nd)

It wasn’t that long ago the Gazelles held the trophy as the top team in South Dakota. Now, Yankton will look to rebuild to the top with a young team taking the field in 2022. Brie Luken and Hope Lesher are the only seniors listed on the roster, so expect some new names to complete the lineup.

State Champions: 2019

Sturgis Scoopers

Last Season: 5-9-1

The Scoopers return 9 starters from last season, including 6 seniors: Emilee Copeland, Cali Ewing, Sewer Denis, Maggie Brink, Cheylen Murphy and Lilly Carlson. Those 6 will look to mix with some talent underclassman and are hoping to push their win percentage above .500.

OTHER TEAMS: