The Keys Lady Cougar soccer team will have a mix of old and new as they get ready to start the 2026 soccer season later this month.
“We’ll have two seniors in Aliviah Stricker and Shante James who will bring us some experience and leadership this year,” said head coach Chase Cambiano, now in his third year. “Aliviah is an all-around great athlete-probably one of the top three in the school. She’s played soccer her whole life and will probably play center mid or center back for us. She stopped a lot of attacks last year. Shante is a four-year starter for us and the two of them will be our captains this year.”
Cambiano also has high hopes for a couple of younger players as well.
“Junior Gracee Byrd is a transfer from Tahlequah and she’s a good athlete who power lifts and also plays softball and is very speedy. Sophomores Gillian Howe gained a lot of experience last year and Adali Welker will be back after suffering a torn ACL in pre-season last year. She’s been a basketball and soccer player her whole life. We’ll be young but we’ve got pretty good numbers out so I’m hoping we’ll find some more talent among the freshmen and sophomores that we’ll be starting this year.”
