The 2025 Soccer season officially started. Head Coach Nicholus Bussell has 24 players, eight are new to the team. After losing last year’s Senior class, which included our top scorers, there was some rebuilding to do. Also new to the Lady Owls this year is Assistant Coach Delani Harrelson. She is an alumnus to the team, and she brings great determination and love of the game to the mix.
The Lady Owls played a couple of preseason scrimmages against Macon County and Cumberland County. Playing against 2A teams can be a good challenge and strengthening exercise and both games were filled with learning opportunities as well as confidence builders. The season started August 19 when the Lady Owls traveled to play Upperman in a non-district match. The first half Senior Addie Cripps took a PK to get Smith County on the board. Cripps would come back to net a second goal with an assist to Chloe Gill. In the second half Freshman Kara Brooks and Junior Aubree Spain scored, and Chloe Gill would add another assist. The Lady Owl defense looks solid and held Upperman scoreless. Junior Goalie Catie Belle McCarter walked away with her first clean sheet of the season with a win of 4-0.
On Thursday August 21st Smith County traveled to play yet another 2A team, Springfield High School who last year played in 3A. This was a first meeting for these two teams, and it was a physical match that would end in a 0-0 draw.
The Lady Owls have their home opener/district opener on Tuesday August 26, against Monterey High School followed by a Thursday match at Jackson County.
submitted by Vivian Schaffers
