Huntland’s Katherine Clark dribbles the ball across the field in this file photo from the 2018 season. Clark was one of the leading scorers for the Lady Hornets in 2018.
Huntland’s Katherine Clark dribbles the ball across the field in this file photo from the 2018 season. Clark was one of the leading scorers for the Lady Hornets in 2018.
The Huntland High School Lady Hornets will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2018 season with a large group of seniors expected to lead the way in 2019.
The Lady Hornets finished with a record of 3-11 in 2018, though they were able to finish with a 3-4 record within their own district.
Huntland head soccer coach Scott Worthington said that his debut season at the high-school level was a learning experience, and he will be looking to build off of that this year alongside the nine seniors on the team.
“I was new to the team, so they weren’t sure how I was going to coach, and it was new to me to figure some things out,” Worthington said. “We’re going to have a very senior-heavy team. Leadership should be there.”
Worthington said the biggest strength of his team this season should be its defense.
“I think my defensive back four should be fairly strong. They’ve all been back there before. They’re all comfortable back there,” Worthington said. “I think if my goalie, Megan Tipps, can get confidence, then we’ll be OK back there.”
Worthington said that the most important thing for his players to improve on during the season will be their control of the ball.
“It’s not about trying to dribble it the length of the pitch and trying to score and hold the ball on your feet for 20 seconds,” Worthington said. “I think they need to learn that soccer is more about taking your angles, your cuts and working off the ball.”
The schedule for the Lady Hornets includes district contests against Cornersville, Cascade, Community, Fayetteville City and Forrest.
“We get 10 games right there,” Worthington said. “Last year, our schedule started off with all bigger schools, and I think it deflated this team.
“This year, playing 10 games in the district, I had to eliminate a lot of games like that, so I’m hoping the confidence level is raised,” he added.
Worthington said the biggest key to success for his team over the course of the year will be getting production out of his midfielders.
“If I can get my midfielders to understand the game, control it and learn to dribble the ball and use their touches properly, I think we can be pretty decent,” Worthington said.
He added that staying healthy over the course of the season will also be vital.
The Lady Hornets will make their season debut on Aug. 20 at Cornersville High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
