Lady Bulldogs Soccer Begins a New Chapter Under Coach Matt Calvert
- RoMoAthletics
- Mar 20
- 5 min read
March 20th, 2026
Spring sports season is officially here, and that means it’s time once again for Lady Bulldog soccer. I recently sat down with Head Coach Matt Calvert on Inside the Huddle to talk about last season, the challenges of replacing a senior-heavy roster, and what fans can expect from this year’s team. One thing became clear very quickly: while this season will look different, the foundation of the program remains strong.
A Strong Season — But Big Shoes to Fill
Last year’s team finished with a solid 10-8-1 record while navigating a schedule filled with strong competition. Rolla consistently tested itself against high-quality opponents, including several tightly contested matchups that came down to the final moments.
One of the defining aspects of last season’s squad was its veteran leadership. The Lady Bulldogs graduated 11 seniors, including several key contributors across the field.
Among those was standout scorer Olivia Young, who finished the season with 34 goals and earned All-State honors, a remarkable accomplishment given the level of competition Rolla faced throughout the year.
Coach Calvert didn’t hesitate when describing the impact of that senior class.
“Honestly, all of those girls that we graduated are going to be sorely missed this season,” he said.
When a program graduates an entire starting lineup along with that level of leadership, the next season inevitably becomes about growth, opportunity, and building the next chapter.
A Younger Team, But Not Short on Leadership
While the roster will be younger, Coach Calvert believes leadership is already emerging from within the team.
This year’s seniors — Lainie Wilson, Penelope Uses Knife, and Callie Kestle — have stepped into key leadership roles, helping guide a group of players who have spent years developing alongside last year’s graduating class.
In addition to those seniors, the Lady Bulldogs also have several experienced players who have grown within the program and are ready for expanded roles.
Another interesting storyline involves a position change that will reshape the defensive structure.
Belen Lane, who served as Rolla’s starting goalkeeper last season, approached Coach Calvert about moving back to the field — where she played extensively during her club soccer years. This season she’ll anchor the defense as a center back, giving the Lady Bulldogs another experienced presence along the back line.
It’s a move that reflects the overall theme of the season: finding the right pieces and putting them together in new ways.
A New Formation Built Around Defense
With a new roster comes new strategy.
Last season Rolla relied heavily on a 4-3-3 formation, a traditional attacking setup that allowed the Lady Bulldogs to press forward with multiple scoring options. This year, Coach Calvert is making a significant tactical shift. The Lady Bulldogs will line up in a 5-3-2 formation, designed to capitalize on the team’s defensive strengths while creating opportunities on the counterattack.
The system will feature:
Five defenders across the back
Three midfielders controlling the center
Two forwards attacking together up top
The formation allows Rolla’s outside wings to push forward aggressively while maintaining strong defensive coverage behind them. It also ensures that counterattacks involve two attackers working together instead of one isolated player, creating more scoring chances.
Building Toward the Postseason
Coach Calvert knows that early-season results may not always tell the whole story.
With a younger roster and new system, the focus early on is growth.
“It’s going to be a season-long progression,” Calvert explained. “We want to make those mistakes early so we can fix them and be ready when postseason comes around.”
That mindset is something Bulldog fans have seen before. Rolla teams often challenge themselves with tough competition early in the season to prepare for the games that matter most in May.
A Challenging Opening Tournament
The Lady Bulldogs will open the season in the 5th Annual Blue Fish Soccer Tournament (March 20th & 21st), where they’ll face strong competition right out of the gate.
Pool A (at ROLLA HS) Pool B (at UNION HS)
1. Rolla Lady Bulldogs 1. Union Wildcats
2. Springfield Catholic Fighting Irish 2. St. Vincent Lady Indians
3. Borgia Knights 3. Washington Blue Jays
Friday, March 20th Game Schedule Saturday, March 21st (at ROLLA HS)
2:00 pm 1 v 2 10:00 am 5th place game
4:00 pm 2 v 3 12:00 pm 3rd place game
6:00 pm 1 v 3 2:00 pm 1st place game
The Lady Bulldogs matchups in pool play are Springfield Catholic Friday March 20th 2pm and St. Francis Borgia Friday March 20th 6pm. Coach Calvert expects both teams to provide different challenges.
Springfield Catholic brings a physical, high-pressure style, while Borgia tends to play a more possession-based game, patiently working the ball and looking for gaps in the defense.
For a young team learning a new system, it will be a valuable early-season test.
One Match Already Circled on the Calendar
When I asked Coach Calvert which game he was most looking forward to this season, the answer came quickly.
Capital City.
The Lady Bulldogs have had several intense battles with them in recent years, often decided by the slimmest of margins. “It’s always a tight game,” Calvert said. “They just won’t roll over. They come to fight every time.”
That matchup on May 14th, will close out the regular season on Senior Night, making it even more meaningful.
A Team That Loves the Game
One thing that stood out when watching practice this week was the energy on the field. This is a group that clearly enjoys playing together. Coach Calvert summed it up perfectly: “Every time they step on the field, they’re laughing and having a good time. You can tell they’re out there because they love it.”
And sometimes, that’s exactly what a young team needs most.
Come Out and Support the Lady Bulldogs
The season gets underway with the Blue Fish Tournament, with Rolla scheduled to play Friday afternoon and evening. With several early-season home games on the schedule, Bulldog fans will have plenty of opportunities to watch this team grow throughout the spring.
It may be a new chapter for Lady Bulldog soccer, but the foundation of the program — hard work, resilience, and community support — remains the same.
And if this team develops the way Coach Calvert believes it can, this could be a group that becomes very fun to watch as the season unfolds.
Listen to the full conversation with Coach Matt Calvert on Episode 68 of Inside the Huddle, available now through Romo Athletics.
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This article was generated using A.I. based upon the transcript from the Inside the Huddle interview with Coach Calvert.
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