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Ada High School girls soccer coach Stephanie Gutierrez was dealt a tough hand during her first season with the Lady Cougars.
Injuries piled up — and so did the losses. Ada dropped 11 matches a year ago.
Still, the season offered its share of silver linings. Four of those setbacks were decided by a single goal, and three more were two-goal losses. Several matches went to overtime, including the final three of the season.
No matter the circumstances, the Lady Cougars showed up and competed.
“We learned a lot from each other and we stuck through a difficult season together when it would have been easy to give in to the hardships,” Gutierrez told The Ada News. “Ultimately, the season was not as successful as we hoped, but I felt we got through it as a team and learned some valuable life lessons.”
Ada will rely on a group of six seniors to provide leadership in 2026.
“We have a solid, experienced group of seniors who have set the tone early on this offseason. They are hungry and motivated to have a successful season and the underclassmen are following their lead,” Gutierrez said.
Among the top returnees are seniors Ashley Matzkvech, Lilly Harper, Nina Benton and Candace Vasquez.
“Ashley and Lilly anchor the defensive line and Nina and Candace have great chemistry in the midfield,” Gutierrez said. “Not only are they skilled, but they have provided the leadership and have set the example for the rest of the girls to follow.”
Sophomore Bella Sherbert had her freshman season cut short because of a back injury. She and sophomore Mynni Dickinson are expected to see plenty of action this spring.
“Bella was limited last year as she was recovering from a back injury, so it is nice to see her playing at 100%. Her speed and acceleration on the field will prove lethal for other defenses,” Gutierrez said. “Mynni has improved her skill tremendously and paired with her physicality, I anticipate teams having difficulty defending her.”
The Lady Cougars open the home portion of their schedule tonight (at 5:30 p.m.) against Metro Christian.
Ada will compete in District 4A-1, which includes defending state champion Bethany. Other 4A-1 opponents include Ardmore, Cache, Chickasha, Community Christian, Harrah, Madill and Mount St. Mary.
“4A West is stacked with some tough and storied programs. We're playing in a competitive district that includes the reigning 4A state champion, Bethany. Other teams like Chickasha, Harrah and Cache are contenders every year, and the matchup with us is consistently competitive,” Gutierrez said.
Ada opens district play March 31 at Bethany.
“I believe that will be a good road game test for our girls. The girls have worked so hard, and we are excited to get the season going,” Gutierrez said.
However, “Goot,” as some of her close friends call her, said she and her team aren’t looking too far ahead.
“The goal is always to make it to the playoffs in a tough Class 4A, but we're focused on approaching the season one game at a time,” she said. “I expect really good things from this group, and they have accepted the challenge.”
Continue reading...
Injuries piled up — and so did the losses. Ada dropped 11 matches a year ago.
Still, the season offered its share of silver linings. Four of those setbacks were decided by a single goal, and three more were two-goal losses. Several matches went to overtime, including the final three of the season.
No matter the circumstances, the Lady Cougars showed up and competed.
“We learned a lot from each other and we stuck through a difficult season together when it would have been easy to give in to the hardships,” Gutierrez told The Ada News. “Ultimately, the season was not as successful as we hoped, but I felt we got through it as a team and learned some valuable life lessons.”
Ada will rely on a group of six seniors to provide leadership in 2026.
“We have a solid, experienced group of seniors who have set the tone early on this offseason. They are hungry and motivated to have a successful season and the underclassmen are following their lead,” Gutierrez said.
Among the top returnees are seniors Ashley Matzkvech, Lilly Harper, Nina Benton and Candace Vasquez.
“Ashley and Lilly anchor the defensive line and Nina and Candace have great chemistry in the midfield,” Gutierrez said. “Not only are they skilled, but they have provided the leadership and have set the example for the rest of the girls to follow.”
Sophomore Bella Sherbert had her freshman season cut short because of a back injury. She and sophomore Mynni Dickinson are expected to see plenty of action this spring.
“Bella was limited last year as she was recovering from a back injury, so it is nice to see her playing at 100%. Her speed and acceleration on the field will prove lethal for other defenses,” Gutierrez said. “Mynni has improved her skill tremendously and paired with her physicality, I anticipate teams having difficulty defending her.”
The Lady Cougars open the home portion of their schedule tonight (at 5:30 p.m.) against Metro Christian.
Ada will compete in District 4A-1, which includes defending state champion Bethany. Other 4A-1 opponents include Ardmore, Cache, Chickasha, Community Christian, Harrah, Madill and Mount St. Mary.
“4A West is stacked with some tough and storied programs. We're playing in a competitive district that includes the reigning 4A state champion, Bethany. Other teams like Chickasha, Harrah and Cache are contenders every year, and the matchup with us is consistently competitive,” Gutierrez said.
Ada opens district play March 31 at Bethany.
“I believe that will be a good road game test for our girls. The girls have worked so hard, and we are excited to get the season going,” Gutierrez said.
However, “Goot,” as some of her close friends call her, said she and her team aren’t looking too far ahead.
“The goal is always to make it to the playoffs in a tough Class 4A, but we're focused on approaching the season one game at a time,” she said. “I expect really good things from this group, and they have accepted the challenge.”
Continue reading...
