PREVIEW – Wildcat Soccer Rebuilding, But Pieces There for District Repeat (w/VIDEO)

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Josh Nichols has been through the rebuilding phase before.  Just never during a pandemic that has limited his opportunities in restocking a roster affected by the loss of 10 seniors to graduation.

The Wildcats were 14-4-2 last year in winning another district title before bowing out to University Heights in the region tournament opener.

Offensively, the Wildcats are in better shape than most teams undergoing a rebuild.  Senior Will Jolly was expected to provide an offensive complement to Elijah Gaines in 2019.  When Gaines suffered a season-ending injury in the season opener, Jolly stepped forward with 29 goals and five assists.  He enters the 2020 season fourth on the school’s all-time scoring list with 61 goals.  Blaine Alexander [90], T.C. Bush [82], and Zeb DeHart [76] rank ahead of Jolly on the scoring list.

Senior Anthony Ethridge added 12 goals after seeing his role increase when Gaines went down with injury.

Junior Keller Nichols, who saw time on defense the past two years, will provide an offensive compliment after scoring seven goals and adding seven assists.

Josh Nichols said sophomore Timmy Cannon, senior Ben Futrell, junior Daniel Jimenez, senior Evron Carlson, and junior Timmy Mendez will see time in the middle and defense for the Wildcats.  Sophomores Dominik Lee and Makoto Hiter will be expected to plug a pair of holes on defense.

It’s the defense that will undergo the biggest transition.  Sophomore Nik Caster and junior Joseph Crawford will see time in both goal and on defense.

Nichols said Trigg’s depth took a hit when three potential starters chose to be home-schooled, which makes them ineligible to participate in athletics for the high school.

Trigg allowed just 27 goals in 20 games last year. That will be put to the test this year with a mostly new unit.  However, the players have shown the ability to adapt to new positions in past seasons when injuries hit.

Trigg County will compete against an improved Lyon County squad for the championship of the two-team district.  The Wildcats will advance to the region tournament regardless of district play.

 

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