Clarksville High's Destiny Hill adjusts game, earns Soccer Player of the Year

Soccer players' games must evolve or they run the risk of becoming obsolete in the sport.

Clarksville High's Destiny Hill knew her game could evolve, but she was asked to change her game slightly to fit the new-look Lady Wildcats soccer team. Hill would need to be more of playmaker than a traditional attacking forward.

Hill did what was asked of her and still was able to crank out goals to finish second on the team in scoring as she earned The Leaf-Chronicle All Area Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

"Coach (Jeff) Jordan wanted me to set up other players," Hill said. "I needed to be more of a distributor of the ball instead of just scoring goals. I had to be a playmaker. I liked it. It was a little different than what I was used to, but I'm willing to do what's best for the team."

This is the fourth straight year a Clarksville High star has won Soccer Player of the Year,  and it's the fifth time in the past seven years for a CHS athlete. Only former Montgomery Central great Cierra Adams (twice) and Northeast great Abi Argueta have broken up the CHS run.

"Winning this award means a lot because I'm so young," said Hill, a sophomore. "It gives me a sense of accomplishment and it also reinforces what my coaches have been telling me about playing for the team and being unselfish."

Hill helped guide the Lady Wildcats to a state championship in 2016, as a freshman, when CHS knocked off Franklin. This season the team moved to Region 7 with a new group of sectional opponents. Collierville ended CHS' state tournament appearance streak (at three) with a sectional victory.

Yet Hill was a dominating presence for CHS this season. In addition to her 23 goals, she had a career-high 14 assists and was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year in district.

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports. 

THE LEAF-CHRONICLE ALL AREA GIRLS SOCCER TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Madison Allen

Clarksville High, Jr., Midfielder

Why chosen: Allen had a knack for the goal with 12 scores and seven assists. She was a team captain and earned All-District 13-AAA honors.

Ashley Campagne

Clarksville High, Fr., Midfielder

Why chosen: Campagne was an attacking center midfielder who scored four goals and led the team with 15 assists as an All-District 13-AAA player.

India Gaiten

Clarksville High, So., Defender

Why chosen: Gaiten thwarted opponents' scoring opportunities while earning a goal herself. She was named All-District 13-AAA. 

Kaci Helmick

Clarksville High, So., Defender

Why chosen:  Helmick finished with three goals, three assists and was named District 13-AAA Defensive Player of the Year.

Destiny Hill

Clarksville High, So., Forward

Why chosen: Hill had 23 goals and14 assists as the captain of a state-ranked team and was a Co-District 13-AAA Offensive Player of the Year.

Madison Hodges

Montgomery Central, So., Midfielder

Why chosen: An attacking midfielder, Hodges finished with 24 goals, seven assists and 74 shots on goal.

Molly Kleinhans

Northwest, Sr., Goalkeeper

Why chosen: Kleinhans' defensive ability came up huge for Northwest. She finished with the second most saves in the city (136).

Maddison Ruggles

Fort Campbell, Jr., Midfielder

Why chosen: Ruggles was named All District 8 and All Region 2 in Kentucky and led the Lady Falcons with 13 goals.

Janiya Stevens

Clarksville High, Fr., Forward

Why chosen: Stevens had a huge year, leading the team with 27 goals and 11 assists as an All District 13-AAA performer.

Presleigh Sykes

Clarksville Academy, Sr., Forward

Why chosen: Sykes was one of the top offensive players in the city with 22 goals and five assists for the Lady Cougars.

Rachel Taylor

Rossview, Sr., Forward

Why chosen: Taylor was a problem for opponents this season. She led a talented Rossview team with 21 goals.

SECOND TEAM

Carly Barnes, Clarksville High, Fr., Midfielder

Layne Benson, Rossview, Sr., Defender

Caitlin Conery, West Creek, Sr., Forward

Kristen Gasaway, Clarksville High, So., Midfielder

Heidi Irvin, Clarksville High, Jr., Goalkeeper

Taylor Kazinski, Clarksville Academy, Sr., Midfielder

Kyah McGee, Northwest, Sr., Forward

Sarah Perez, Rossview, Sr., Midfielder

Samantha Rodney, West Creek, Sr., Goalkeeper

Ella Roth, Clarksville High, Fr., Defender

Haley Welker, Clarksville High, Sr., Defender