EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The Tigers are taking a defensive approach this season in varsity girls soccer. “We will be a team that comes out with guts and intensity,” coach Zac Ganzer said. “We have quite a few girls we believe that can play defense for us, so we will look to win close games.” Lauren Mueller will help anchor Excelsior Springs defensively. A junior, Mueller was named team Player of the Year for last season’s 3-15 campaign. She also was named second-team allconference and honorable mention alldistrict. Mueller is among a handful of returners. Joining her in the back is sophomore Abby Rash, a first-team alldistrict and second-team all-conference defender. Senior Makenzy Smith, a firstteam all-district midfielder, also returns, as does sophomore Bailey Carder, a second-team all-district forward. Joining the experienced Tigers are 17 freshmen. Ganzer expects them to have a large impact on the...