by Conner Smith

The WCHS girls soccer team has been pent up the last two weeks due to the TSSAA’s mandatory dead period, but the Lady Pioneers are back and ready to compete.

The team has plenty of talent, but lacks some key experience due to the loss of a big senior class last year. When you lose players like Jaden Smartt, Breezy Wanamaker, and the new school record holder for goals scored, Katie Toney, it can be hard to recover. 

This Lady Pioneer team however has a lot of young and returning talent to keep going and be another solid team. Just like coach Matt Turner, coach Kimberly Smith recognizes the importance, but also some negatives of the dead period. 

Coach Smith says, “It’s a good break for the girls to have fun and be kids and to not have to worry about practice, but on the downside they probably didn’t condition and we play in four weeks.” 

Coach Smith says even though the dead period has taken a toll on conditioning, “I demand 100% effort. I want the girls to go as hard as they can for as long as they can.”

This team has some serious talent but some players that stand above the rest are Bekah Jackson, Carmen Verdel, and Hailey Simpson. Coach Smith says those three have stepped up and tried to lead the team by showing first-rate effort.

Last year’s stellar Lady Pioneer soccer team had a big senior class and now the team is left without half of its starters from 2021. Smith says a lot of younger girls have come out to practice ready to compete for another district title and are ready for the long grind of practices ahead of them, but are also ready to take over these starting spots. 

The girls soccer team has a 7-on-7 tournament July 22-23, and have their first official scrimmage Aug. 1. This girls soccer team, along with coaches Kimberly Smith, Alan Brownyard, and Kaden Brownyard, has the potential to make some noise and compete for the district crown once again. Make sure to go out and support our Lady Pioneers during their scrimmages and season this year.