Preseason Article - Pinecrest Women’s Soccer

Preseason Article -- Pinecrest Women’s Soccer

The Lady Patriots soccer team went back to action Tuesday night at home against Wakefield where they fell 3-0. Before the ladies hit the field, we spoke with coach Herbst. The Patriots had a 17-7 overall record last season and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, but they were eliminated. They were also Sandhills Athletic Conference Regular Season Co-Champions and had a 11-1 conference record. Union Pines defeated them in the SAC Tournament Championship.

Coach Herbst hopes to build on the fact only five seniors graduated last season and will have an experienced team this season. The Patriots had a great turnout of around 40 athletes during winter workouts and 60 tried out. “It was a very competitive tryout to field our varsity & J.V. Teams for this year. We took 19 for J.V. & 22 for Varsity,” said Herbst.

Herbst and the Patriots have high hopes for this season. “We are expecting a 20-win season and expecting to compete for Sandhills Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. We are also expecting a deeper run in the state playoffs this season,” said Herbst. “Our Team’s Morale this season is to Create & Build a Great Team Culture on and off the field and to be the best teammate possible by working hard in training as well as encouraging and supporting each other. The results will show when the team culture is positive. We will not be scared to play any opponent this season, and we will be focused and locked in for each game.”

“Our overall team connection on and off the field is already off to a positive start, which is great to see! Our team as a whole is very strong. Our starting 11 will be a very experienced and skilled group as eight of the seasons starters were starters in 2023. Our bench is much deeper this season as each player will be able to come off the bench and make an impact on both sides of the ball. We have some very talented freshman & Sophomores on this year’s team,” said Herbst.

The Patriots will look to the three captains to help lead this team. Kamden Lewis Sr., Kaylee Thomas Sr., and Anna Depenbrock Jr. “Each bring great leadership, skill and energy to our team. Lewis and Depenbrock will primarily be playing center mid, while Kaylee will lead at Center Back this season,” said Herbst. He is also depending on his six seniors to mentor the younger players. “I am looking for our six seniors ALL leading this season and being a mentor to our younger players. I know our seniors are hungry to win the SAC Tournament back,” said Herbst.

They will also depend on experienced players to reach their goals. “Jadyn Lamielle will be starting her sophomore season playing both striker and wing. Lamielle finished with a team of high 17 goals in 2023. We have moved Junior Amelia Millard into the striker position this season to help create more goal scoring opportunities. Senior Mia Martin and Junior Heather Samson will run the wings this season. Arden Johnson has been a great addition to this year’s team. Johnson joined the Patriots after transferring from O’Neal. She will join Kaylee Thomas at Center Back, along with Sophomores Addison Nordgren, Valentina Baccinelli, and Gracie Reyes on the back line. Senior Ava Depenbrock & Junior Paige Robertson will be our goal keepers this season,” said Herbst.

The Lady Patriots will take the field again on Friday at home against Wake Forest with a start time of 7 p.m.

Patriots Schedule:

2/27 vs Wakefield 7:00pm

3/1 vs Wake Forest 7:00pm

3/4 @ Garner 6:30pm

3/8 vs Jack Britt 7:00pm

3/9 vs Fike 1:50pm

3/13 @ Gray’s Creek 7:00pm

3/15 vs Richmond* 7:00pm

3/19 @ Southern Lee* 6:00pm

3/22 @ Lee County* 6:00pm

3/26 vs Scotland* 6:00pm

3/28 @ Hoke County* 7:00pm

4/9 vs Union Pines* 7:00pm

4/16 @ Richmond* 7:00pm

4/19 vs Southern Lee* 6:00pm

4/23 vs Lee County* 6:00pm

4/26 @ Scotland* 6:00pm

4/30 vs Hoke County* 7:00pm

5/2 @ Union Pines* 7:00pm

Roster:

0 Ava Depenbrock Sr. GK

1 Ava Stewart Fr. MF

2 Nora Kuzma Fr. D

3 Regan Gailey So. MF

4 Gracie Reyes Sr. D

5 Valentina Baccinelli So. D

6 Caroline Carwile Jr. MF

7 Amelia Millard Jr. STRK

8 Kamden Lewis Sr. MF

9 Mia Martin Sr. MF

10 Jadyn Lamielle So. STRK

11 Arden Johnson Jr. D

13 Heather Samson Jr. MF

14 Marisa Watts So. D

15 Hailey Klingenschmidt Jr. MF

16 Kaylee Thomas Sr. D

17 Addison Nordgren So. D

19 Olivia Mixa Sr. D

24 Grace Clark Fr. MF

33 Mikayla Voltz Fr. STRK, D

44 Anna Depenbrock Jr. MF

99 Paige Robertson Jr. GK