After back-to-back 13th District titles, a 4th Region All-A championship, and an appearance in the region semifinals, the Todd County Central girls’ soccer team returns in 2024 in search of goals to maintain the program’s momentum.
Melanie Chamberlaine graduated after powering the Lady Rebel offense with 24 goals, accounting for over half of the team’s output. On the other end of the pitch, the loss of goalkeeper Darby Delph leaves a hole between the posts after she allowed a goal and a half per game with 189 saves last season.
Coach Charity Harrah will look to sophomore Hayley Chamberlaine to help fill the scoring void after she netted three times last year. Junior forward Jaidyn Holland also returns up top after leading the team with four assists and chipping in a pair of goals, while Scarlett Lancaster will also start in the attack. Sophomore Jesslynn Ezell also provides another scoring option for the Lady Rebels.
Junior Annabelle Scott returns to a starting spot in the midfield, joined by freshmen Ellie Robles and JJ Lancaster. Junior Josira Espinoza will also patrol the middle of the field to support the attacking midfielders, while sophomore Edna-Rose Marquez and junior Shelby Rios will be called on to help out in the middle third of the field.
Juniors Ashley Espinoza and Elizabeth Langley will bring experience to the defense, joined on the back line by sophomore Anna Ellis. Senior Alexa Anastacio and sophomore Sylvia Salazar will provide defensive options off the bench.
Freshman Jazmine Russell rounds out the starters as a replacement for Delph at goalkeeper.
While Harrah admits the Lady Rebels are in rebuilding mode, she says she’s been impressed by the progress of her new players and is excited to see what the season holds.
Todd Central kicks off the season on Tuesday with a trip to Webster County. The Lady Rebels have dropped the last two meetings with the Lady Trojans with the last coming in 2017.
District play begins with a visit from Logan County on August 20. The teams split a pair of meetings last season with each winning on the other’s home field.
