Marist Catholic is motivated, loaded with talent

The Marist Catholic Spartans girls soccer team did not like the way last season ended. The first, and only, loss of the season came in the Oregon 4A State title game, a penalty shootout loss to North Marion, and the Eugene based school is looking to right that wrong.   The Spartans took a step towards that with a convincing 3-1 win over North Marion last week in a rematch of the state title match and have started the season 4-1-0.   The only loss came against a very good 5A team, losing a close 2-1 match to a larger school in North Eugene. With a loaded roster and a motivation to win, that could be the only loss this season. Here is a look at some of the players that make this roster elite.   Ella Braunger, Central Midfielder, Class of 2025   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Ella-Braunger-crop-585x385-1726568517.jpeg?w=585" alt="" class="wp-image-230123" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Leticia Ficek</figcaption></figure>   Through the first five matches, Braunger has three goals and an assist as the senior captain, who was an All-State selection last year. She is an absolute maestro in the midfield. She controls the middle of the pitch, she pulls all the strings and she makes the team goes. She reads and reacts well, she steps up and wins the ball and is disruptive for the other side. Once on the ball, she facilitates quickly. She does not try to force the ball down the pitch, and will only take that opportunity when it's there. She is perfectly fine swinging the ball from touch line to touch line, or playing the ball back to loosen up the defense.   Cruz Donawa, Forward, Class of 2027   Donawa is playing as a forward for Marist, and will also play as a defender for her club, Eugene Metro FC. She is just a sophomore, but is an elite talent. She has great speed and when she's playing on the outside, she regularly beats outside defenders. She's comfortable with the ball at her feet and navigates traffic very well, and when she puts her boot through the ball, she can generate plenty of power to beat keepers from distance. A great athlete who is versatile, Donawa is a key player for Marist.   Nev Ficek, Keeper, Class of 2027   Ficek is one of two very talented keepers on this team, and there is a third keeper on the JV what is also incredibly talented. Marist is loaded in this spot. Ficek is very athletic, she has a high soccer IQ and the sky is the limit for her. A competitive player on a year-round team, she brings experience and know-how to the high school scene. She has good feet and a very good understanding of the game, as it is in her bloodlines. Her family has played at Marist in the past, and her brother is currently the keeper at Divison I Grand Canyon University.   Kate Firth, Outside Defender, Class of 2025   Firth is a very fast outside back who is equally skilled as a defender and as a player who pushes forward. She has great raw speed, so keeping up with attacking players is not a problem, and she is dangerous in getting down the pitch to join the attack. She is good on the ball and delivers a nice ball into the box, but she is superb and stands out for her ability to make overlapping runs.   Lexi Hudson, Forward, Class of 2028   Hudson netted the winning goal against Hidden Valley on Tuesday, and is a forward that seems to always find a way to be available and easy to connect with. She moves well into space and has an understanding of how to use it. She is fast, much faster than one would anticipate, and is very dangerous and effective on the front line, especially given she's a freshman. She is very technically skilled, showing great ball skills and her speed allows her to stretch the back line.   Emily Meigs, Keeper, Class of 2026   Meigs is a very tall and rangy keeper, one who is an intimidating presence in between the posts. She uses her height well to cover all areas of her net, including when someone tries to shoot and tuck it under the bar. She's very good at handling set pieces, and she has great athleticism to go along with great intangibles. She is a vocal leader and a presence in the back for the Spartans.   Libby McLaughlin, Forward, Class of 2027   McLaughlin is only a sophomore, but is a prodigious scorer already. She had 27 goals and 28 assists last season and that assist total was the third highest total in the history of Oregon high school soccer for a single season. She has two goals and six assists already this year, despite constant attention. She is incredibly versatile as she can play all three forward positions and I have seen her on film play a deeper sitting outside role and move the ball. She's quite good on the ball and does not rush, operates in traffic very well and shows advanced decision making. She has a quick, short stroke through the ball and can get a shot off from anywhere, and do so quickly. She shows great scoring range and the ability to finish in front of goal.   Piper Paslay, Central Defender, Class of 2026   One of the best center backs in the state, Paslay is a two-time defensive MVP for Marist Catholic, an award voted on by her peers. She has good size, good speed and good athleticism, and she's not afraid to defend anywhere on the pitch as she will come up and defend at the center line. She is tough and physical, but has some finesse to her game as well as she glides easily around the pitch, she plays a nice ball and she wins the ball so cleanly. She's very good in the air, and shows great reaction and recovery.   Gina Schrofner, Outside Defender, Class of 2026   Schrofner gives Marist two very fast outside backs, as Schrofner is someone who is agile, and in addition she's very tough and physical. She loves to defend on the outside and is not afraid to mix it up. She is a great athlete with great technical ability so she is pacey and good on the ball. She's a great 1v1 defender, she is a relentless ball winner and she plays hard from the opening whistle until the final whistle.   Tori Sherman, Defensive Midfielder/Outside Defender, Class of 2027   Sherman brings high-level athleticism to the No. 6 spot, and she shows that athleticism, ability and speed when she plays as an outside defender. She's very smart on the ball, she's neat and tidy in possession and shows a variety of skills including the ability to deliver a very clever ball. She likes to hit the ball one time and play a ball to a streaking attacker, a ball that defenders are seldom expecting. She's a fun player to watch because she likes to use her speed to push up, she can trail a play very well, read and react to that play and then finish if given the chance.

The Marist Catholic Spartans girls soccer team did not like the way last season ended. The first, and only, loss of the season came in the Oregon 4A State title game, a penalty shootout loss to North Marion, and the Eugene based school is looking to right that wrong.

Access all of Prep Soccer

Continue reading this article and more.