POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Pearl River women's soccer team made a considerable jump toward its ultimate goal in 2022. The Wildcats climbed from unranked to No. 9 in the country with a 14-2-2 record by the end of the year.

After coming up just short of a berth to Nationals in 2022, Wildcat head coach Henrik Madsen and his team expect to take the next step in 2023. 

"Last year was a really, really good season. We had a great group of leaders within the team," he said. "That really took us through some tough times. 

"Every year we go out there, the goal is to make it to Nationals. I think we took a really big step toward that goal last year. We have to continue to push forward and try to finish strong this year."

Last year, the Wildcats were one of the oldest teams in the country, featuring 17 players who were sophomores. The script will flip this season as only seven players return from the 2022 squad.

"It's going to be a major challenge for the young ones to adjust quickly," Madsen said. "It will be even more important this year for our sophomores to get the leadership part right. They need to make sure they go about it the right way."

FORWARDS
The forward position will be a big-time battle going into the season, as the Wildcats have a number of players who could slot in. Among those in the fight are Marieke Faber (Britsum, Netherlands.; Leeuwarder Lyceum), Jessica Lawrence (Ocean Springs), Adele Mooney (Lafayette, La.; Ascension Episcopal), Frederikke Nielsen (Spentrup, Denmark.; Randers Statsskole), Ann Maris Ragan (Flowood; Hartfield Academy), Ally Stiglets (Hattiesburg; Oak Grove) and Emily Taylor (Laurel; Homeschool).

The only two returners to the bunch are Mooney and Ragan, who both factored heavily into the team a year ago. Ragan will see time both as a center forward and a winger. In 2022, she bagged five goals. 

"We really expect big things from Ann Maris," Madsen said. "She had a good freshman year, but we think she can be even better this season. She has worked hard so far."

Mooney finished her freshman season with eight goals and an assist.

"Adele is our classic nine, holdup player," he said. "She's good on the ball and has a good nose for the goals. We think she can make a difference."

Frederikke Nielsen, Stiglets and Faber are all newcomers who should factor into the rotation frequently.

"Freddy is our playmaker. She picks the right passes but has a good shot. She creates for herself," Madsen said. "Marieke is technically and tactically really good. Stiglets is a very talented player. Once we can get her to hit the back of the net consistently, she will be in good shape."

Taylor will be a pacy option for the Wildcats on the wing.

"Emily has so much speed," Madsen said. "She's got a little way to go tactically, but works extremely hard and fits in really well with the team."

Due to recovering from an injury, Lawrence has been unable to play through the preseason but could be an option once she's back.

MIDFIELD
The Wildcats should be deep in the midfield as well. Haylie Alvarez (Gulfport; St. Patrick), Chloe Ezell (Ocean Springs), Iben Madsen (Gulfport) and Alli Shemper (Biloxi) are all fighting for time in the midfield. Fredderikke Nielsen could also play in the midfield if needed.

Madsen is the only returner of the bunch. She battled injury throughout 2022, appearing in just three games. 

"Iben is a holding midfielder by trade, but with some of our injuries, we've looked at her in other positions," Madsen said. "We think she can factor in wherever we need her to."

Alvarez, Ezell and Shemper have all been impressive during the preseason.

"Haylie is super dynamic. She's very good technically and has a nonstop motor," Madsen said. "Shemper is the classic box-to-box midfielder. She's a ball winner, and she's good with the ball. Chloe is a dynamic player with a great soccer IQ. She's got a great passing range and sees the field well."

DEFENSE
Returning to lead the defensive charge in 2023 is First Team All-MACCC selection Mackenzie Winters (Ocean Springs). After playing alongside All-Americans Lauren Bennett and Anīta Guðmundsdóttir last season, Winters is expected to be the leader.

"Mackenzie has to take over back there," Madsen said. "She benefitted from playing with two All-Americans last year. We expect her to continue that tradition of locking it down on the backline. She needs to be a positive and good leader for those around her."

Newcomer Milla Nielsen (Horsens, Denmark) is expected to factor into the centerback rotation but has been battling an injury throughout the preseason. Fellow international talent Amélie Wittenkamp (Oelstykke, Denmark.; Egedal Gymnasium) is a left back typically but will slide over to centerback to fill the void.

"We've been really, really impressed with her so far," Madsen said. "She's come in and done really well for us. She plays extremely well along the backline but could play in the midfield if needed. She's a high-quality player."

Camryn Aldous (Petal), Camdyn Biancamano (Long Beach), Maddie Cuevas (Kiln; Hancock), Anna Grace Deakle (Gulfport) and Emily Taylor are all players who will see time at the outside back positions. 

Aldous and Cuevas were both with the squad in 2022. Aldous played in seven games on the season. Cuevas factored into the rotation as a winger a year ago, picking up two goals and two assists.

"Maddie is a versatile player," Madsen said. "She will play opposite Anna Grace at the outside back position. She also could play in the midfield or at the top of the formation as a winger.

"Camryn has come a long way. The biggest thing for her is just believing that she belongs here. She's a good player and a good leader within the team. She's just awesome to have around."

Madsen has been very happy with Deakle's effort throughout the preseason.

"She's very, very good. She's very fast and technically very good," he said. "She's got great composure, and we have high expectations for her this year." 

GOALKEEPER 
The Wildcats have a pair of good options at the goalkeeper position in Alliance University transfer Celine Grothe (Lübeck, Germany.; Carl-Jacob-Burkhard) and Kennedy Harris (Biloxi).

"The goalkeepers have come in and really competed," Madsen said. "I think Celine has been a really good addition to our group. Kennedy has really come along. You could tell that she was a bit rusty at first because she hadn't played in a while."

GETTING STARTED
The Wildcats get the season started with a weekend roadtrip to Texarkana, Ark. PRCC takes on Cossatot on Friday at 11 a.m. before taking on former Wildcat men's assistant Diego Figueroa and National Park on Saturday at 11 a.m.

CASHLESS BOX OFFICE
To help improve traffic flow and fan experience, PRCC athletics box offices are cashless. Only credit and debit cards will be accepted at the box office. Fans are encouraged to beat the lines and purchase their tickets in advance at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets or fans can download the HomeTown Ticketing app to their mobile device to purchase and store their tickets.

TICKETS
Tickets for the 2023 Pearl River soccer season are available now at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets! General admission tickets are $8 or a season-pass can be purchased for $43. 

TUNE IN
The Wildcats will once again livestream all matches for free at PRCCMedia.com/gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.  

For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).