2025 Big 8 goalie of the year signs to Neosho school

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

The 2025 Big 8 Goalkeeper of the Year is moving on up, having signed recently to play soccer at Crowder college in Neosho.

Ava Hinson, goalkeeper for the Cassville girls soccer team, said the decision to join the Roughriders was multi-faceted.

“I chose Cassville crowder originally so I could stay close to home and work, but I then got a scholarship for soccer and toured the Neosho campus and loved it,” she said. “I chose soccer because I found so much love for the game my freshman year and had amazing people to cheer me on. 

“I wasn’t looking at any other schools quite yet just seeing what everyone had to offer and I was going to see if anyone would take me for cheer.”

Winning the Big 8 award in her junior year, Hinson and the Lady Wildcats are producing a defensive-minded season in 2026, allowing only 11 goals in 14 games so far, including 8 shutouts.

Hinson said winning the Big 8 Goalkeeper of the Year award was her greatest personal accomplishment, but she has many great memories of and influences within the soccer program at Cassville.

“My greatest memory was playing with my team sophomore year,” she said. “The seniors were such amazing role models and really opened my eyes to how much soccer impacts my life. Players that really impacted me throughout the years were Logan Wingo, Audrey Gosvener, Emma Burndt, Scotland Richardson, Ashley Alonso and Jhandi Shears. 

“Logan really helped me in goal by teaching me how to position myself correctly and how to be more aggressive with the ball. Jhandi helped me understand the game better and gave me so many tips for when I’m on the field.”

Hinson said for those looking to play collegiately, the biggest key is to keep pushing forward.

“My advice is never give up,” she said. “If you truly do love the sport you play and put so much work into it on and off the field, it eventually pays off. No matter what, keep your head up and keep playing for what you love.”

Hinson is the daughter of Kelly and Joseph Krueger and Andy and Stephanie Hinson, all of Cassville. She plans to major in early childhood education.