The Perry girls soccer team finished 10-7 overall last season, but their record was somewhat deceiving, as the team advanced all the way to within one victory of the state tourney before being stopped.
With many of the key pieces still in place, head coach Gilmar Guerra’s squad should be in position to make another run this spring.
Leading the way will be sophomore scoring star Natalie Martinez, who finished fourth in Class 2A with 30 goals, nine more than any other freshman in any class. She also had five assists, for 65 total points — also fourth-best in 2A. That she did so in only 13 games makes her prolific output even more impressive.
Junior Sydney Guerra was second on the squad with 13 goals and four assists, but is likely to see more time on defense this season.
Other returning scorers include Grace Marburger, with four, and Janet Ortiz and Bryn Steffen (two each) and Mariah McNamara and Bailey Cmelik, who had one goal apiece.
Perry finished with 57 goals scored last year while allowing 38. The Jayettes had 17 assists on their 17 scores.
One area that will need to be addressed is between the pipes, as a new starting goal keeper will be needed. Carly Anderson, who split time in goal last season, will start the year on the sidelines with an injury, leaving the team likely to turn to Salena Garcia to protect the net.
Perry will open their 2017 campaign with a pair of home games next week, as Winterset will visit Dewey Field Tuesday while Carlisle stops by April 6.
