Hendersonville High junior Sydney Cason (left)
BGA senior Chloe Tremblay
White House junior Madisson Davis (14).
Soccer ball
The 2016 high school girls soccer season officially gets under way on Monday. Here’s a look at some of the Midstate’s top teams, players and story lines heading into the 2016 campaign.
CLASS A/AA
Favorite: Greeneville
Contenders: Christian Academy of Knoxville, Christ Presbyterian Academy and Page
CLASS AAA
Favorite: Houston
Contenders: Brentwood, Hendersonville, Ravenwood
DIVISION II-A
Favorite: Evangelical Christian
Contenders: Battle Ground Academy, St. George’s, University School of Jackson
DIVISION II-AA
Favorite: Briarcrest
Contenders: Father Ryan, Baylor
10 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Tally Bishop, Sr., Father Ryan: The forward and Western Kentucky commitment scored 17 goals with three assists during an injury-shortened junior season.
- Sydney Cason, Sr., Hendersonville: All-state midfielder posted 14 goals and 10 assists in just 14 matches for the Class AAA quarterfinalist Lady Commandos.
- Madisson Davis, Jr., White House: District 9-A/AA offensive MVP tallied 42 goals and 17 assists at forward for Lady Blue Devils last season.
- Peyton DePriest, Sr., Franklin: The forward and East Tennessee State commitment scored 13 goals and provided six assists for the Lady Rebels last season.
- Julie Garst, Sr., Independence: The forward and Belmont commitment tallied 33 goals and eight assists for the Region 6-AAA runner-up Lady Eagles a season ago.
- Megan Henry, Jr., Page: All-state midfielder scored 18 goals and provided eight assists for the Class A/AA semifinalist Lady Patriots.
- Karlie Paschall, Sr., Ravenwood: The midfielder and Duke commitment scored 10 goals with four assists during an injury-shortened 2015 campaign.
- Kendall Powell, Sr., Cookeville: The District 6-AAA MVP scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists at forward for the Lady Cavaliers last season.
- Chloe Tremblay, Sr., BGA: The midfielder and Lehigh commitment tallied 23 goals and four assists for the Division II-A runner-up Lady Wildcats.
- Jenna Rolfe, Sr., Ensworth: All-Midstate second-team goalkeeper posted five shutouts with a 0.55 goals-against average with five shutouts in nine matches last season.
All-Midstate girls soccer teams
3 NOTES TO KNOW
11-AAA bounce-back?
Last season marked the first time in more than two decades that a Class AAA Williamson County school failed to reach the state tournament as Region 6-AAA champion Independence and runner-up Brentwood suffered season-ending sectional defeats.
Senior debut
Clemson commitment Ashley Lawson is entering her senior year at Siegel, yet she’s still never played in a single match for the Lady Stars. Lawson, who played two seasons of club soccer before committing to Clemson last June, missed the 2015 high school season with a foot injury, and she’s finally ready to suit up for Siegel, which is led by first-year coach Michael McGoffin.
Instant contender
Nolensville might be new, but expect the first-year Williamson County school to be contenders in District 12-A/AA, which includes 2015 state tournament qualifiers CPA and Page. And first-year Lady Knights coach Eric Shelton is no stranger to starting from the ground up. Shelton, 42, started Siegel’s soccer program in 2003, leading the Lady Stars to a 181-74-29 record with a state championship and eight state tournament appearances.
3 MUST-WATCH TOURNAMENTS
CPA-Lipscomb Tournament, Aug. 18-20
Franklin County Rebelette Classic, Sept. 10-11
Ladies’ Tournament, Sept. 14-17
Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.
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