Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Returning letterwinners for the Fort Dodge girls soccer team are, front row (left to right): Ella Johnson, Jase Madison, Paige Lloyd, Evie Heldorfer, Kenia Suriano Zepeda and Bella Lee. Back: Abby Hernandez, Tessa Carlson, Paige Lewis, Anna Fritts, Ava Sells, Tristen Holst and Laya Ellis. Not pictured: Addie Lentsch and Tyran Peterman.

G Myers has a good problem on her hands.

The Fort Dodge girls soccer squad has plenty of options lineup-wise this season, and the players are also pushing each other to get better.

As the process continues, the Dodgers are hoping the depth will ultimately help produce more success.

Myers has 16 letterwinners back and a handful of freshmen that are already pressing for starting minutes.

“With this group, we can look at them and say, ‘why are we looking at this and dribbling past the person, when we can pass the ball,'” Myers said. “They know we need to work on passing instead of just dribbling past them.

“They know we need to work on things that make us better in competition.”

Defensively, seniors Ava Sells, Paige Lloyd and Paige Lewis return. Also back defensively are sophomores Evie Heldorfer, Ella Johnson and Anna Fritts.

“Paige and Ava are great defensively,” Myers said. “Moving Paige to defense is one of the best things we’ve done. She has owned it and works with the defenders. They both are back their and take charge.

“Ava sees the field well, and has worked through some injuries to be ready for her senior year.”

Myers also has Lewis in the backfield. The coach will rely on Lewis’ conditioning from cross country and track.

Sophomores Heldorfer and Johnson played some key minutes last season.

“Evie is solid on defense, and we’ve talked about maybe giving her some time on offense,” Myers said. “We have an open understanding of talking, so if the girls have a concern, we’ll discuss it.

“Ella played back on defense and a little offensively, as well as stepping in at goalkeeper when we needed it. She is plug and play and goes where we need something. I know I can count on her.”

Offensively, seniors Jase Madison, Tessa Carlson and Kenia Suriano Zepeda return. Sophomores Addison Lentsch and Bella Lee are also back for the Dodgers.

“Tessa has really grown into understanding what she brings to the team,” Myers said. “Tessa has the biggest boot on the field, and she can change where defenders go. Jase is on the left side and she has worked at it and owns it.

“Bella has been great on the right side, and has a great connection with Addie.”

Fellow returning letterwinners are juniors Kailey Edwards, Tyran Peterman and Layla Ellis, along with sophomore Jennifer Merida Guillen.

“Tristen is also one of those players who can go wherever needed, and so is Anna,” Myers said. “Layla is a jack of all trades. Lincoln and Kailey love being a part of the team.

“Tyran, who is a rugby player, likes being out there and taking part in soccer.”

Over 40 girls will suit up for the Dodgers this season, as the numbers have increased in each of the last two years.

“We have a lot of girls who are in a bunch of different activities, but to have eight or nine missing and still be able to go 11-on-11 is crazy,” Myers said. “We have a solid group of players who know the game.”

Lentsch returns as the leading scorer after tallying four goals as a freshman. Suriano Zepeda also had a goal in 2024.

“Abby and Kenia have really grown this year and have been taking care of things,” Myers said. “They have matured their thinking to being all about the whole team. Kenia has turned into a senior.

“Addie has experience and great confidence when it comes to scoring.”

The Dodgers also have a handful of freshmen who could play a key part in the starting rotation as the spring progresses.

“We have a freshman group that gives us that new pull, where the upperclassmen don’t want to be shown up,” Myers said. “Zoey Balm, Paisley Mundie, Laila Grantham, Emarise Trimble and Audra Sells have been around and have experience already.

“They are all great kids. It’s almost hard to notice they’re freshman in practice.”

The Dodgers will lean on a two- or three-keeper situation, with sophomore Maleah Landfair, junior Mariah Benedict and Johnson combining to replace four-year starter Camden Doster. Landfair was the junior varsity keeper a year ago.

“Maleah is committed to it,” Myers said. “It was hard for her after (suffering) an injury last season, and she felt a lot of pressure.

“Mariaha has owned it (as a first-year player). She is getting after balls and from being a state place finisher at wrestling, she is very competitive. And if we’re in a bind, we can go to Ella when we need her.”

Nick Sells will serve as Myers’ assistant.

The Dodgers open the season on Thursday as they travel to Sioux City North. Junior varsity kicks off at 5 p.m. with varsity to follow.

2025 FORT DODGE GIRLS SOCCER

Roster

Seniors — Tristen Holst, Paige Lloyd, Jase Madison, Paige Lewis, Ava Sells, Tessa Carlson, Kenia Suriano Zepeda.

Juniors — Mariaha Benedict, Sara Garcia, Lincoln Johnson, Aianna Kirby, Oria Page, Kailey Edwards, Tyran Peterman, Layla Ellis, Abigail Hernandez.

Sophomores — Jasmyn Bravo, Anna Fritts, Emily Hauswirth, Shana Ives, Mya Morales, Darianis Ortiz-Colon, Evie Heldorfer, Maleah Landfair, Bella Lee, Ella Johnson, Addison Lentsch, Jennifer Merida Guillen.

Freshmen — Zoey Balm, Brylee Breon, Ashlyn Duitscher, Laila Grantham, Andrea Guevara, Alina Martin Diaz, Paisley Mundie, Audra Sells, Emarise Trimble.

Schedule

April 3 — at Sioux City North; 8 — Des Moines Hoover; 11 — at Ames; 17 — Colfax-Mingo; 22 — Mason City; 25 — at Des Moines East; 28 — Humboldt; 29 — at Des Moines North.

May 2 — Marshalltown; 8 — Des Moines Roosevelt; 9 — East Sac County; 12 — at Des Moines Lincoln; 20 — Webster City.