Mount Vernon girls’ soccer coach Brandon Savage likes keeping the opposition on its heels.
“I was an attacking player, and I like to play attacking soccer,” Savage said. “Being really aggressive, not sitting back. I don’t like to have any defenders back.”
The Mustangs finished 9-9 last season, the first under Savage.
The top scorers return, led by junior Clare Nydegger, who had 15 goals and 11 assists last spring.
“We’re happy to have Clare back,” Savage said. “Hopefully she can score more for us.”
Nydegger is one of three captains for the Mustangs. She is joined by senior midfielder Kennedy Moore and junior goalie Cana Safo. Moore had 10 goals and four assists last year.
“Kennedy controls the ball, and is tough,” Savage said. “Cana is really important for our defense this year.”
Savage is originally from England, and played collegiately at Hawkeye Community College and Mount Mercy.
Mount Mercy Coach Amir Hadzic, who also spent time as the soccer coach at Cedar Rapids Xaiver, pushed Savage to try coaching high school.
“He helped me through the process,” Savage said. “He was really supportive.”
Given his background, Savage sometimes still calls it football. He has spent this spring continuing to drill down on technique with the Mustangs.
“We have great athletes,” he said. “Technically, we still have work to do. Then we’ll be looking really good. I have high hopes for this year. We have a squad that can do something good.”
Savage expects some underclassmen to step up and make a big impact. He cited sophomore Addi Whisner, who is “looking really sharp” in the preseason at midfield.
MUSTANG GIRLS’ SOCCER
Coach: Brandon Savage (second season)
2023 record: 9-9, 6-4 tied for second in Wamac East
Returning letterwinners (8): Sopia Bunch, sr., F; Izzy Logue, so., F; Clare Nydegger, jr., MF; Emara Perreault, so., MF; Cana Safo, jr., GK; Peyton Simpson, sr., F; Addi Whisner, so., MF; Renae Woods, sr., D
Aubrey Ford, so., GK; Taylor Franck, so., D; Courtney Franck, so., F; Meika Neal, sr., D; Kaia Swaim, so., D; Korah Jo Robinson, so., MF; Addison Mullis, jr., MF; Lillian Gaiser, so., F: Kennedy Moore, sr., F; Keira Bergmann, jr., D; Lilly Cook, so., D; Aly Lashley, jr., D.