With scorers of 26 of the team’s 31 goals a season ago no longer on the roster, the Christian County girls soccer team enters the 2022 season with questions in the attacking third of the field.
The Lady Colonels finished coach Hannah Ambrose’s second season in charge with a 4-9-2 record and fell in double overtime to University Heights Academy in the opening round of the 8th-District tournament.
Ten players graduated, highlighted by All-District selections Autumn Bell and defender Emma Fleming. Bell’s 12 goals led the team, followed by fellow senior Megan Lacy with six. Lillian Larkins found the back of the net three times and tied for the team lead with four assists, and Taylor Dunn is no longer with the team after five goals and four assists during her freshman campaign.
The Lady Colonels only have the services of three seniors this season, including defensive anchors Jazzy Larkins and Addison Piatt. Ambrose also expects junior Angel Johnson to help out on the left side of the back line.
Junior Macy Bush returns to ease some of the pressure on the Lady Colonels’ defense, joined in the holding midfield positions by freshman Vickey Lopez.
Junior attacking midfielders Alayah Lander and Cayleigh Clay are back to help pick up the scoring slack after combining for five goals last season.
Senior Olivia Fentress will take over the goalkeeper position after the graduation of Emma Camp and Carlisa Hobson. Camp averaged just over four saves in 15 appearances, allowing a shade over two goals per and posting a pair of shutouts. Hobson recorded one shutout in nine games, allowing less than two goals per outing and making almost three saves per game.
The Lady Colonels open the season on Monday with a trip to face last season’s region runners-up Madisonville-North Hopkins. A visit from Hopkinsville on September 12 will be the final regular-season meeting between the schools ahead of the merger next year.
