Wildcat girls soccer ready to make another strong postseason run

It was a memorable season in 2024 for the Louisburg girls soccer team after they captured their first regional title in three years and earned a spot in the state quarterfinals.

The Wildcats lost to the eventual state champion in Bishop Miege, but finished the season with a 13-5-1 record. As fun as the season was, this season will look a little different.

Not only did Louisburg lose four starters to graduation, but the Wildcats have a new leader in head coach Jordan Roquemore, as he replaced Ben York, who was the head coach the last two years. The transition has been a smooth one as he has served as the Louisburg assistant the previous five seasons.

Roquemore will be joined by assistant coach Lily McDaniel, who is an LHS alum and former member of the Wildcat program.

“My experience as an assistant coach over the last four years has been a huge help in making the transition to head coach,” Roquemore said. “Knowing the girls, the culture, and the history of the program has been invaluable. I have a lot of appreciation for the time and effort coach (Kyle) Conley and coach York have put into the program. Working with them has taught me a lot. 

“Also, bringing Lily back into the program as my assistant and JV coach has been great. She is an excellent addition and has my full confidence.”

With a new coach comes a few changes, including a new formation. Louisburg will play a 4-2-3-1, which puts four defenders in the back, two defensive midfielders, three attacking midfielders and a lone forward up top.

“This formation is dynamic and adaptable, but it’s not easy to master,” Roquemore said. “It is going to require a lot of mental and physical work from the players, but they are absolutely up for the challenge.”

The Wildcats return experience all over the field, including in the midfield as they bring back a pair of all-league players in senior Rowan Yows and junior Mena Fercho.

Yows, who was a first team all-league and all-state selection, had 12 goals scored and a team-high 17 assists last year. As for Fercho, she was an honorable mention all-league player a year ago with seven goals and seven assists.

They will be joined by returning starter in senior Riley May, who gave the Wildcats big minutes last season.

“You will probably see a mixture of returners and new faces in our midfield this year,” Roquemore said. “You will see Mena out there along with Riley. Rowan has also been a big contributor over the last three seasons, but has struggled with some physical ailments affecting her longevity on the field. She is coming into this season healthier than ever and I believe you will see her best season yet this spring.”

Senior Baileigh Johnson returns as the team’s starting striker after earning all-league and all-state honors season a year ago. She tallied 15 goals on the year with four assists and several underclassmen could also see time at the position.

Defensively, the Wildcats return most of their back line and should be a strength of the team. They will be led by senior Jaden Bentz, who earned all-league honors a season ago.

Joining Bentz will be juniors Lila Edwards and Faith Sewell, who are both returning starters.

The Wildcats, however, will have a new face in the net as senior Ally Brown will start in goal in her first year with the program.

“We had a really fantastic season on defense last year and we are bringing back three of our four back-line starters in Jaden, Faith Sewell and Lila. Everywhere else on the field, you will be seeing a mixture of returners and new faces. 

“Having Ally step up as a goalkeeper this year will be huge for us. She may be inexperienced in the goal, but her athleticism and intelligence have made her a quick, effective study. Ultimately, the entire team is responsible for preventing goals, not just our goalkeeper. Playing smart possession and defense all over the field will help keep our new goalie out of bad situations.”

Louisburg knows it will have a difficult schedule as it tries for another regional title. Not only do the Wildcats have to make their way through a difficult Frontier League slate, but also tough non-league opponents including Basehor-Linwood and De Soto.

The Wildcats will open their season today as they host Lansing. Varsity is set to begin at 6 p.m.

“I have very high expectations for this group,” Roquemore said. “They are a talented, hard-working group with mixture of grades and skill-sets. We have our work cut out for us this season with a new formation and opponents who are consistently improving each season, but I am really excited to see what we can do. This program has had tremendous success since its inception and we will continue to do so.”

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