![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
Sport: Girls soccer
Head coach: Ryan Butchart
Previous season success: Lafayette ended the 2024 season with a 15-5 record and made the Class 4 District 4 final. They lost the final in double overtime to rival Eureka, 1-0.
What are some expectations going into the season? Butchart expects the team to play consistent competitive soccer. He hopes that the team will be tough to play against.
Challenges for the season: While Butchart didn’t single out any specific challenges the team may face, he believes that players need to step up when challenges arise.
Players to watch for: Butchart has said to watch for senior defender Addison Keen, junior defender Ellen Cuendet, junior midfielders Lauren Henry and Carly Swan, and sophomore forward Kennedy Howard.
New faces: Some new faces on the team are sophomore forward Taylor Rieker and freshman forward/midfielder Annabella Graham.
Annabella Graham
Can you describe the team chemistry in the first weeks of practice? “The team chemistry is amazing. All the girls were so welcoming to the three freshmen on the team. They were so kind and showed us the ropes,” Graham said, “You can tell all the varsity soccer girls work so well together on and off the field.”
What are your expectations as a team? “Our expectations as a team are very high considering the success that the girls soccer program has had. We want to keep that going forward, and have an amazing group of girls that are going to embody that,” Graham said.
