Coach Matt Harper’s first year in charge of the Trigg County girls’ soccer program yielded a 12-6-2 record and the Lady Wildcats’ first 5th District championship since 2014. They knocked in an eye-popping 103 goals on the season while only yielding 50, the third-best goal differential in the region. The Lady Wildcats beat Webster County 8-1 in the first round of the 2nd Region tournament before ending their season with a 2-0 loss to Caldwell County.
The Lady Wildcats graduated seven seniors, including significant firepower in Libby Redd and Alyssa Richardson. Richardson’s 28 goals were second on the team, while Redd contributed 13. Seven starters return, with senior Madisen Ireland leading the way after pacing the team with 37 goals and 10 assists in 2017, tops in both categories. Senior Brittney Kelly is back as well and looking to improve on a 13 goal, 10 assist return last season, good enough for third and tied for first on the team, respectively.
Senior goalkeeper Julia Rhone is back anchoring the defense after posting 5 shutouts and allowing 1.9 goals a game last season. Joining her are returning senior starter Kali Oakley and juniors Isabella Alexander, Maggie Snodgrass and Ashlee Wyatt. Coach Harper is also looking for big contributions from freshmen Allie Hill, Paige Kelly and Maddie Morrow.
The Lady Wildcats get the season underway with an opening-night trip to Hopkinsville to face the Lady Tigers on August 13. Trigg lost 6-1 to Hopkinsville in Cadiz last season.
