The Hopkinsville girls soccer team ended a five-year 8th-District title drought in 2021, holding off University Heights for a 2-0 victory and then advancing to the 2nd-Region semifinals with a win over Trigg County in the opening round.
However, much of the firepower that helped capture the district trophy has graduated, leaving the repeat bid in the hands of a large senior class.
Last season’s exodus is highlighted by the loss of the team’s top three scorers and multi-year starting goalkeeper Vy Nguyen. Abby Moss led the team in goals (14) and assists (12), followed by Anna Hernandez with 12 goals and four assists. Grasen Givens scored nine goals from her midfield spot and was second on the team with six assists.
Nguyen made 12 starts between the posts, posting four shutouts, averaging nine saves, and allowing a single goal per outing.
Twelve seniors will suit up for second-year head coach Ben Russell in 2022. Senior defender/midfielder Morgan Woosley leads the group after scoring six goals with an assist last year. Defender Taryn Underwood had two goals and a pair of assists, and Laney Wilson and Jada Ashberry are the only other returning scorers with a goal each.
Taylor Joachim inherits the goalkeeper spot after three appearances last year, making eight saves per with 11 goals against and a shutout. Daniella Uribe and Faith Folz return on the defensive side, while Emily Acosta is back in the Lady Tigers’ midfield.
Junior forward McKenzie Hyams will be counted on to pick up some of the scoring slack, and fellow junior Kendall Mayes is another midfield option after splitting time between the field and the goal last season.
The Lady Tigers hit the road on Monday to open the season at South Warren. The first district matchup comes on August 30 with a trip to Fort Campbell, and they host Christian County in the last regular-season meeting between the schools on September 12.
