The Trigg County Lady Wildcats’ soccer season came to an abrupt and surprising end with a first round 1-0 loss to Lyon County in the 2016 5th District tournament. Trigg finished the season with a 10-10 record, 7-7 in the region and 3-2 in the district. The Lady Wildcats won 6 of their last 8 matches, but a heavy 5-0 loss to Madisonville in the last game of the regular season left the team with 54 goals scored and 60 allowed, the first time in Coach Kevin Niehaus’ three-year tenure they failed to score more than they conceded.
As the 2017 season begins, Trigg County welcomes new head coach Matt Harper to the helm. Harper previously spent time coaching in the boys’ program at Caldwell County, although this will be his first head coaching job. Harper inherits a team that graduated only one senior, defender Audrey Wyatt, and should feel he has the personnel to bring the district trophy back to Trigg for the first time since 2014. All eleven starters return, including senior midfielder/forward and team scoring leader, Alyssa Richardson. Richardson recorded 11 goals and 4 assists and was named to the All 5th District Team, as was returning goalkeeper, Julia Rhone, who recorded 7 shutouts on the year.
Senior forward Tiffany Shafer comes back with her 10 goals and 2 assists, good enough for second in scoring on the 2016 team. Senior Libby Redd, who spent time at forward and midfield and was a 2nd Team All 2nd Region honoree, scored 9 goals and chipped in 6 assists, placing her third in team scoring and second in assists. A couple of younger returnees will be counted on as well, with junior midfielder/forward Madison Ireland looking to build on her 8 goal and 9 assist (team leader) campaign, and talented sophomore midfielder/forward Emily Noffsinger expected to add to her impressive freshman numbers of 7 goals and an assist.
Coach Harper says he has been pleased with the environment created by his older athletes, and also with the willingness of his players to step out of their comfort zones to address team needs. Specifically, the Lady Wildcats have set goals of improving their 2016 scoring total by 15, and reducing their goals allowed by the same amount. Harper is excited by the promise his young players are showing, and feels with a continued work rate and open-mindedness, “we can have an exciting, dynamic, competitive team this season and for seasons to come.”
The Lady Wildcats open 2017 at the Recreation Complex in Cadiz, hosting Caldwell on August 14th. Trigg lost to Caldwell 4-0 at Butler Stadium to open the 2016 season.
