Senior Bri Maclaughlin was asked what the Lady Cats must do to contend for a conference title and return to State.
“How we approach the game—our mentality and our attitude—will determine how this season goes,” she said. “We have a really good opportunity to make it far this season. We just have to show up and play to win.”
The Lady Cats are senior-heavy, returning a strong core from last year’s squad, including leading goal scorer Madelyne Maclaughlin, who has led Hope in goals each of the past three seasons. Also returning is Crystal Ortiz, a talented player with tremendous potential who will have a major impact on the team’s success. Cristal Aguilar, a three-year starter is back for another season and will anchor the Lady Cats’ defense in the middle. Brianna MacLaughlin returns after missing last season due to injury, and her presence on the pitch will be a welcomed boost.
Other seniors expected to play key roles include Reyna Martinez, Allison Yhoss, Esme Reyes, and Sophia Gonzalez.
“We’re trying to make a run at the State Tournament,” Head Coach Edmundo Dominguez said. “We were disappointed last year, missing out. We dealt with a lot of injuries, but we feel really good about this group of seniors.”
There is also a new goalkeeper in town—Lucero Arroyo. Multi-year starter Angelica Soto graduated last season, but the team is excited about Arroyo’s ability to step in and make big saves. Leading the defensive effort in front of her will be Aguilar, who has been a key piece of the back line the past several seasons.
“I’m very excited about this season,” Aguilar said on media day. “I’m ready to see the new players step up. We have to attack every practice with the same level of intensity as we do in a game.”
Another player to watch is Samantha Castillo. After making significant improvements last season, Castillo is poised to make a major impact in the midfield.
Offensively, there is plenty of excitement surrounding this group.
“We’re really excited about this team,” Coach Dominguez said. “With the players we have up top and on the wings, we should score a lot of goals.”
Madelyne MacLaughlin returns for her fourth year as a starter and is eager to build on her already impressive scoring record.
“We’ve been working hard on playing more as a team and finding new ways to score,” Madelyne said. “We’re excited about our speed and playing style up top. Our intensity has been strong.”
Crystal Ortiz also returns after scoring key goals last season and appears ready to take the next step offensively. Known for her speed and playmaking ability, she adds another scoring threat to Hope’s attack.
“We’ve been working on our footwork and playing different positions,” Ortiz said. “We have a good group, and our chemistry is really coming together.”
Bri Maclaughlin is back after recovering from an ACL injury and is eager to contribute.
“I’ve been working hard,” she said. “I want to be the best teammate I can be. I expect a lot from this team and from myself. We just have to play simple soccer.”
The trio of Bri, Crystal, and Madelyne should be one of the most exciting attacking groups in the conference. With their talent and chemistry, expect plenty of goals this season.
The Lady Cats face a challenging schedule, including matchups against Robinson, Hot Springs, and Lake Hamilton, as well as a tournament featuring several 5A and 6A programs.
“We want to face tough competition to prepare us for later in the season,” Coach Dominguez said.
Conference play will once again be competitive. DeQueen and Bauxite have dominated in recent years, but the Lady Cats aim to put the league on notice. Magnolia, Mena, Arkadelphia, Malvern, and Nashville will also present tough challenges.
The season opener is set for February 27 at home against Hot Springs. The Lady Cats begin their journey with high expectations and the confidence to meet them. This experienced group believes it is capable of overcoming any obstacle in pursuit of its goals.