Lexington's Tristan Lowery is 2018 All-West Tennessee boys soccer player of the year
One thing was on the mind of Lexington soccer player Tristan Lowery entering his senior season, and that was to reach the Class AA state tournament.
Lowery had helped the Tigers get there his sophomore year, but the they had fallen one game short last season.
As the regular season came to a close, Lexington's chances to make the state tournament were in question as the Tigers were the No. 4 seed in the District 14-AA tournament with a 10-5-1 record.
But Lowery pushed this team to the Class AA state quarterfinals to be named The Jackson Sun's All-West Tennessee boys soccer player of the year in 2018.
"Our whole goal was to make it to the state tournament," Lowery said. "We started off rough, but we started to click toward the end and started playing like a team. I can't be more proud of what we did."
Lowery finished the season with 48 goals and 15 assists to cap off his senior year.
During the postseason, Lexington played with a different level of intensity as the Tigers outscored their opponents 22-5 leading up to the state tournament.
But the turning point came about midseason when Lexington went to Selmer and lost 4-1 for a second straight District 14-AA loss.
"Our mindset changed," Lowery said. "It opened people's eyes that we were better than the way we played."
The Tigers didn't lose for 11 straight matches.
The state tournament was a different level as Lexington was matched up against the eventual state champions Greeneville in the quarterfinals again.
"It has happened to us twice," Lowery said. "We played two really good teams in the quarterfinals. I think Greeneville or CPA would have beaten anyone in the tournament those years."
But that does not diminish what Lowery was able to help his team accomplish.
"We were playing for each other in the postseason," Lowery said. "Before that, my team was relying on me. I felt like some of the younger players weren't scared anymore, and they were ready to play as themselves."
And Lowery also got to sign with Christian Brothers during his senior year.
"I knew that the jump from high school to college is hard, and I know some people do a year and are done," Lowery said. "I don't want to do that. I want to play all four years."
MORE: 2018 All-West Tennessee Baseball
MORE: 2018 All-West Tennessee Softball
First team
Rodrigo Atilano
North Side, Sr.
Position: Midfielder
Why chosen: After winning the offensive player of the year last season, Atilano was put in a different role this season in the midfield, and he still scored 19 goals and added 25 assists.
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Jordan Chandler
North Side, Sr.
Position: Defender
Why chosen: Chandler was quick to the ball on the defensive end, and he was unanimously voted as the District 14-AA defensive player of the year.
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Jack Edwards
USJ, Sr.
Position: Midfielder
Why chosen: Edwards, a University of Memphis signee, controlled the midfield for the Bruins. He scored 21 goals and added 15 assists.
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John Giampapa
USJ, Sr.
Position: Defender
Why chosen: Giampapa played a key role in the Bruins’ eight shutouts, and he added five goals and five assists on the offensive end of the field.
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Sean Graham
Sacred Heart, Sr.
Position: Midfielder
Why chosen: Graham has been solid in the midfield for the Knights, and this year was no different as he helped them earn the No. 2 seed in the district.
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Trace Haggard
Jackson Christian, Sr.
Position: Goalkeeper
Why chosen: Haggard recorded nine shutouts as the Eagles made the transition from Division I to Division II, and he kept them competitive against tougher teams.
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Tristan Lowery
Lexington, Sr.
Position: Forward
Why chosen: Lowery was the top goal scorer in West Tennessee as he took the Tigers to the Class AA state tournament with 48 goals and 15 assists.
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Grant McMahan
McNairy Central, Sr.
Position: Forward
Why chosen: McMahan was the strongest offensive force for the Bobcats as they reached the Class AA sectionals. He scored 23 goals and added 11 assists.
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Ethan Nails
Chester County, Sr.
Position: Defender
Why chosen: Nails played a key role in the Eagles winning the District 14-AA regular-season title. He was strong on the ball and good at winning 50-50 balls.
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Will Pucek
USJ, So.
Position: Forward
Why chosen: Pucek started out the year strong before battling a leg injury in the second half of the season, but he still scored 38 goals and added 10 assists.
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Joey Soriano
Madison, Jr.
Position: Midfielder
Why chosen: Soriano was a veteran player for a young Mustang team, and he created goals all season as they won the Region 6-A title to host a Class A sectional.
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Second team
Goalkeeper: Jacob Cotner, McNairy Central, Sr.
Defender: Braden Donnell,TCA, Sr.
Defender: Ethan Bartel, Jackson Christian, Sr.
Defender: Zach Wilson, Lexington, Sr.
Midfielder: Sailor Kinkennon, McNairy Central, So.
Midfielder: Tyler Hite, USJ, Jr.
Midfielder: Sam Emberton, Westview, Sr.
Midfielder: Jack Helton, Chester County, Sr.
Forward: Sam Newman, USJ, So.
Forward: Zach Grooms, Peabody, Sr.
Forward: Parker Finton, Jackson Christian, Sr.
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Coach of the Year
Nick Cook
McNairy Central
Cook led the Bobcats out of the district tournament for the first time in program history. McNairy Central had lost seven times in the district semifinals, but this year's team reached the Class AA semifinals.
Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.