Returning Cast Hopes To Continue Pattonville Girls Soccer Success

Weather permitting, the Pattonville High School girls soccer team will get back out on the pitch Friday against Kirkwood for the first time since winning the Ft. Zumwalt tournament last Thursday.

The Pirates (3-0) are off to a solid start in what for many programs would have considered a rebuilding year, after graduating a core group of seniors led by Kailey Utley and Mikala McGhee. Utley is playing Division I soccer at West Virginia while McGhee is now playing basketball at Missouri State.

Video: Pattonville Head Coach Tom Iffrig Talks About Challenges Ahead in 2013

But the only thing rebuilt at Pattonville would appear to be the new stadium complex where the team will play in pursuit of the team's fifth straight district title.

"It’s different, because we lost a lot of good players, so its a chance to prove ourselves that we still really are the good team that we’ve been the past years so I’m excited about that," said Senior Erin Collier.

The team still has thoughts of last year's painful loss in the state playoffs to Cor Jesu on a disallowed goal, and want a shot at redemption, as well as a chance to beat regular season nemesis St. Joseph's Academy.

Helping to leading the charge will be Sophomore Ashanti Carey, who burst onto the scene in 2012 with 25 goals and 11 assists for the Pirates. Collier says Carey is the "Ultimate Forward," while Carey says she's looking to be more aggressive in 2013.

“As a freshman I was kind of not necessarily shy but just getting used to things, this year I think…just score a lot more,” she said. Carey has already scored 3 goals this season.

"I think she has it in her mind that she’s going to prove everybody wrong, prove to everybody that those goals weren’t just because Kailey (Utley) was around," said Tom Iffrig, Pattonville's Head Coach.

Iffrig said the team's success will hinge on health with less depth than last year, and staying organized, despite a challenging schedule.

The health factor has already been something of a question. Senior midfielder Caitlin Murray, who missed most of last season with an ankle injury was hurt in the first week of play. 

If chemistry means anything, this team appears to have it. The girls play together on and off the field and genuinely seem to enjoy spending time with one another, be it sledding or on a scavenger hunt. Now it is just time to see what that means on the field.

"I really think we can be successful as we want to be we have the heart we have the talent so I guess we’re gonna see," Murray said.