SOCCER

Jackson Christian's Trace Haggard named Soccer Defensive Player of the Year

Michael Odom
Jackson Sun
The 2017 All-West Tennessee Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year is Jackson Christian's Trace Haggard.

When Jackson Christian's Trace Haggard made the move from baseball to soccer after his freshman year, he did so to fill a hole in the Eagles' lineup and find a place to excel.

Well, in his two years of playing high school soccer, Jackson Christian has made two straight trips to the Class A-AA state tournament.

This past season, the goalie started all 21 matches with a 1.45 goals-against average and an 84.2 save percentage to be named the 2017 All-West Tennessee Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year.

"I was more relaxed in goal this year, and it felt a lot more like home," Haggard said. "I knew this is where I was supposed to be."

After making the state tournament last year, trying for a second straight trip to state wasn't going to be easy.

"The hardest part of trying to get back to state was replacing the seniors that we lost," Haggard said. "We lost leaders, and people had to step up. Instead of me being a sophomore last year and letting other people do it, I had to say I am going to be the one to do it."

But this Jackson Christian team put in the work to be ready for tough competition throughout the season.

"We have all worked a lot harder in practices this season and gotten more serious," Haggard said. "Our talent level has risen."

Haggard helped to anchor the defense all season and grab balls that did make it through the Eagles' defense.

There were two turning points in the season for Jackson Christian, Haggard said, as the trek began to get back to Murfreesboro.

"After the USJ game, everything started to click," Haggard said. "But after the first loss to North Side, we realized that we weren't going to beat every single team, and we had to play our best if we wanted to go to state."

This is Jackson Christian's final season in Class A-AA as the Eagles move back to Division II-A next year, but Haggard is ready for the challenge.

"I am excited for next year," Haggard said. "We are going to face some tougher teams, but I think we are going to grow as a team.

"I feel like I am going to have to have more practice and training to be ready for the Division II teams."

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754 and on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.