Hutchinson CC Sports Information
Last November, the Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team was tantalizingly close to a Region 6 championship.
The Blue Dragons forced penalty kicks in the championship game of the 2024 Region 6 Tournament against the Cowley Tigers. Cowley made a critical save during the PK round and defeated the Blue Dragons 4-2 to earn an automatic berth in the NJCAA National Tournament.
That loss has stuck with Blue Dragon head coach Sammy Lane and the six returning players from last season's team that went 11-2-7 and earned a first regional championship berth since 2014.
"We were real close last year," said Lane, who is 270-74-19 starting his 21st season as the only head coach in Hutchinson women's soccer history. "We lost nine sophomores from last year, but the sophomores returning know what it takes to get to that level again, and they can help the freshmen understand how it's done.
"We have more technical, skillful players than we did at this time last year. We have to work harder. If we compete physically, we have the talent to be very good."
The Blue Dragons have two huge non-conference tests to open the 2025 season this week. The No. 15-ranked Blue Dragons meet No. 12 Trinity Valley at 6 p.m. on Monday at the Salthawk Soccer Complex in the 2025 season opener. Less than 48 hours later, the Blue Dragons will play Western Wyoming at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Salthawk Soccer Complex.
The 2025 Blue Dragons return five players from last season and redshirt sophomore Maria Azevedo returns from 2023 after missing the 2024 season with injury.
Also back is 2024 Jayhawk Conference Defensive Player of the year Anastasia Pokrandt (5-foot-5, Karisruhe, Germany), who helped make the Blue Dragon back line one of the best in the KJCCC last season.
"Ana is a superb player," Lane said. "Her effect on the team this season will be massive. When you have someone back there like Ana who can anchor the defense, it's a huge help. She is a really good leader by example and holding the other girls to a higher standard. She's going to have a big say in how we will do this year."
Returning on the defensive line with Pokrandt is sophomore Teagan Garrison (5-6, Mulvane), who was part of the back line that allowed only 21 goals and help post eight shutouts last season.
Sophomore Sofia Bremmer (5-9, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) returns after limited duty as a freshman. First-year players Lucy Bacon (5'8, Romford, England) and Ava McAninch (5-7, Wichita) will also see time on the defensive line.
The Blue Dragons will have to replace 95 percent of the goals scored and 94 percent of the assists from last year's team with the graduations of leading scorers Haley Rogers, Katharina Marx and Kaitlyn Edwards from 2024.
The front line will be a work in progress with freshmen Isabella Puchinelli (5-10, Curitiba, Brazil) and Poppy Smith (5-6, Royston, England).
"Both of those kids are very talented," Lane said. "They just haven't learned to play together yet. Right now, Bella and Poppy are looking to beat players and shoot themselves, which is natural. If we can get the two to play together, then they can be lethal."
The midfield will also look for a leader to replace Edwards, who could both score, create opportunities for others to score and defense at a high level.
Azevedo (5-5, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) had four goals and an assist in 2023, but continues to work back from injury. Sophomore Beatrice Sales (4'10, Santa Cruz, Brazil) missed half of the 2024 season with injury. Hannah Lowe (5-9, Wichita) also returns. Freshman midfielders Onna Dowling (5-6, Warwick, England), Bessie Simpson (5-3, Southend-On-Sea, Essex, England) and Olivia Tamaki (5'3, Campinas, Brazil) and Ella Swearingen (5'4, Rose Hill) will add to the depth in the midfield.
"Having Maria back and when Beatrice gets released to play, having them back will be huge," Lane said. "Bessie and Olivia are very talented attacking players.
"We are going to defend, defend, defend and then get it to the two in front. We have good pieces; we just have to see how it comes together."
The other big change in 2025 will be in goal as a pair of freshmen will replace all-conference keeper Karsyn Slothower, who posted a Blue Dragon single-season record 90 saves last season.
Freshmen Evie Carvell (5-7, Billericay, England) and Rylee Loague (5'5, Choctaw, OK) will take over in net this season.
"There is good competition there, "Lane said. "They both have good height and good range. It's important that you can save those ones just underneath the cross bar. It will take them a little bit to find their way, but it's a good battle between the two of them."
The Blue Dragons were picked to finish second in the KJCCC this season and opened the season ranked No. 15 in the NJCAA Preseason Division I rankings.