In terms of numbers, the Hopkinsville High School girls’ soccer team may be small but mighty in 2024.
Veteran Lady Tigers’ coach Jeff Addison put out an “all call” last week in hopes of getting a few more players out for the team. At the time this story was written, there were 14 players on the Lady Tigers’ roster.
“We don’t have any freshmen, which is a problem,” Addison said. “We have enough players, but we just need a few more people. If we had more people, we have more options going against different people in practice and just being able to go full field some.”
Hoptown returns a solid nucleus of players from last year’s team, which finished 9-9 and reached the Region 2 tournament.
Sophomore Kaydon Coats, last year’s leading scorer, returns to power the Lady Tigers’ offense. She will have plenty of help from senior Rebecca Wood and junior Kaylyn Lynch, who had a good performance last month at the Bluegrass State Games.
Junior Grace Cansler also returns to help the Lady Tigers at the midfield position.
“They are a fun group, they work hard and they are easy to coach,” Addison said.
Defensively, the Lady Tigers will have to replace goalkeeper DeAijha Tullis, who moved following the 2023 season. Junior Jaleigha McFarland will take over the final line of defense for Hoptown.
Other defenders include junior Kila Cherry, who transferred from Heritage Christian Academy, junior Caroline Baker, junior Lauren Jones, and sophomore Emma DeArmond.
“I’m hoping for improvement from last year,” Addison said. “We’re pretty experienced with about nine of our 11 starters back. District wise, University Heights Academy is the front runner and you never know what to expect from Fort Campbell.”
The Lady Tigers open up their season Aug. 12 at Logan County.
