Varsity Girls' Soccer: Season Preview

Varsity Girls' Soccer: Season Preview

By Keelen Barlow

 

After back to back double-digit win seasons, Brownsburg varsity girls' soccer returns a wealth of experience from a season ago. The 2018 Bulldogs posted a 12-5-1 record for the second consecutive year and advanced to the Sectional Semi-Final match. The Bulldogs are led by a strong upper-class that has helped the program post a 32-16-6 record over three years. 

Familiar Firepower 

Three of the Bulldogs' top five goal scorers from 2018 are back again this year. Also returning for head coach Josh George are nine players who played in at least 17 matches last year. The Bulldogs main captains for the 2019 season are Taelyn Hendrickson, Madeline Dawson, Kalaina Stephens, and Jayden Gibson.

That group is headlined by a 2018 All-Hoosier Crossroads Conference 1st Team member in Hendrickson. As a sophomore, Hendrickson netted 12 goals en route to winning the team's "Offensive MVP" award. She played in all 18 games for the Bulldogs last season while taking the majority of the Bulldogs' corner kicks.

Not a member of the upper-class, yet still coming off an impressive campaign is Kylie Conrad. As just a freshman last year, Conrad played in all 18 matches while scoring five goals and dishing five assists. She was voted the "Newcomer of the Year" last season and the coaching staff is "expecting a breakout year" from Conrad.  

Gibson, a 2018 All-HCC 2nd team selection who has been dubbed the "Glue Player", returns for her junior campaign. She played in all 18 matches last year. Dawson, Stephens and 2018 third-leading scorer Grace Crawford will also be solid contributors for the Bulldogs. Indiana Soccer Coaches Association 2nd-team All-State selection Abby Lynch will miss the 2019 season due to injury (knee).

Stout Defense

In the net, the Bulldogs return two more experienced players. Alanna Dixon and Sarah Budd will battle for the starting goalkeeper spot in 2019. Each keeper saw action last year behind starter Frances Brewer who has since graduated. 

As a whole, Brownsburg's back line shutout nine opponents last year and was good enough for third in the HCC in goals against. They return five of their six backs heading into the year.

What's on the docket?

The Hoosier Crossroads Conference looks to be a gauntlet yet again in 2019 after four HCC teams ended last season in the ISCA 3A poll. In all, the Bulldogs are set to play five teams that were ranked to end the season. That list includes defending IHSAA Class 2A state champion Cathedral. Brownsburg will take on two out-of-state foes, Assumption (KY) and Brunswick (OH) at the highly-touted Zionsville Invite in September. 

The Bulldogs open the season on August 17th with a trip to Mooresville. Their home schedule opens on August 20th against Ben Davis. 

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