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10 Sumner girls soccer players to watch

Dean Fox
FOR USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

 

It shouldn't come as a shock if Sumner County puts multiple girls soccer teams in the state tournament. 

Last year, White House made it to a state semifinal and Hendersonville came up just short, ending its season with losses to the teams that eventually played for the title.

Both those teams return plenty of firepower. And, still, it wouldn't be a shock if one or two more teams made deep October runs.

5 soccer storylines to follow
 

A bevy of seniors
Hendersonville, which came up one win short of going to the state tournament, returns 12 seniors for their final season.

The Lady Commmandos, who saw their season end with losses to Clarksville and Franklin — the two teams who eventually played for the state title — are in a new district with Station Camp, Gallatin, McGavock and Hunters Lane.

Hendersonville's Brooke Long is just one of the seniors that will lead the Lady Commandos this season.

Don't sleep on these girls
Two teams to keep an eye on are Gallatin and Merrol Hyde.

Gallatin went 8-5-1 last year and returns goalkeeper Abi Green, a senior who is one of the tops in the state.

"This year, we have a young group and we are looking to build our team as the season progresses," coach Greg Harper said.

Merrol Hyde already has wins over Portland and Macon County. Last year, the school made it to a region semifinal, losing at Chattanooga Christian.

Gallatin's Abi Green is one of the top goalkeepers in the state.

New district for the Lady Bucs
Beech also finds itself in a completely new district, dropping down to Class AA for soccer.

The Lady Bucs join county foes Portland and White House, along with three Robertson County schools and Macon County. The Lady Bucs won two out of three at a tournament in Gatlinburg.

A turnaround up north
Speaking of Portland, the Lady Panthers have almost matched their win total from last season by winning five of their first six.

"I expect us to do well this year overall and have set some pretty lofty goals for this team," coach Ryan Goostree said. "They are very soccer driven and can unify well. I am excited to see this team play and we should be able to accomplish some things that haven't happened in Portland girls soccer in awhile."

No concern for White House
White House didn't get its first win until this week. A cause for concern? Maybe not.

The Lady Devils got off to a slow start last season and made it all the way to the state semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Greeneville. The year before, White House got off to an 0-2-2 start before finding itself rolling all the way to a sectional.

 

10 players to watch 

Macy Carter, Station Camp. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the County is a force in the back.
Aliyah Chambers, Portland. After a great freshman season, expect even more from this forward.
Maddie Davis, White House. With 55 goals last year, she was a goal-scoring machine who shared county Player of the Year honors last year.
Jill Fuqua, Beech. Has scored in crucial situations early for the Lady Bucs this season.
Abi Green, Gallatin. Senior is one of the best goalkeepers in the state.
Savannah Jarrett, Beech. Lady Bucs' goalkeeper has come up with big moments early in the season.
Kate Johnson, Gallatin. As a defender, she teams with Green to make the Wave defense to score on.
Brooke Long, Hendersonville. Senior helps lead a large contingent of Lady Commandos.
Michaela Nicholson, Station Camp. Named 
co-Offensive Player of the Year last season,junior should only get better.
Angela Steidl, Pope John Paul II. 
Midfielder will help the Lady Knights control the middle of the field.
Haley Stevens, Hendersonville. Another offensive force for a Hendersonville team loaded with weapons.