The Smith County Lady Owls soccer team returned to action at home on October 15th, hosting the Region 3 semifinals against White House Heritage. Having faced the same opponent last year in a memorable match, this year’s game was anticipated to be equally special. It was a tightly contested and clean matchup, ending the first half at 0-0. In the second half, Lady Owl Aubree Spain dazzled the defenders with her footwork, delivering a stunning shot from outside the box that found the back of the net. Catie Belle McCarter and her defensive line effectively shut down the Patriots throughout the game. With a final score of 1-0, the Lady Owls secured a spot in the Region 3 finals and a berth in the sectionals.
Post-game celebrations were twofold, as this victory also marked Coach Nicholus Bussell’s 100th career win since taking over the team. During his eight years as head coach, the Lady Owls have claimed the district championship seven times and been runners-up once. They have finished as region runners-up four times and made four sectional appearances. Congratulations to Coach Bussell and all the players and support staff who have contributed to this impressive journey. We look forward to continued success under his leadership.
On October 17th, Smith County traveled to Liberty Creek for the Region Championship. Playing on their campus was a unique experience, especially since Liberty Creek will be moving up to 2A, possibly making this the last matchup between the two teams. Having won state last year, Liberty Creek proved formidable, and Smith County fell 9-0. Despite the score, the Lady Owls fought hard and returned home with the Region runner-up trophy. Keeper Catie Belle McCarter had an outstanding performance, facing 26 shots and making 17 saves, showcasing her incredible skill.
On October 19th, the Lady Owls traveled to Merrol Hyde for a sectional match, where they faced a tough loss of 9-0, ending their season and sending Merrol to the state tournament. Eight teams will compete in Chattanooga from October 23rd to 26th.
Aubrey Felice capped her high school career with a remarkable 129 goals, setting a program record. According to Max Preps, she ranks 6th in Tennessee this season with 37 goals and 8th for points with 81. Kylie Jenkins is ranked 44th in assists, while Catie Belle McCarter stands at 29th for saves with 101 and 11th for goals against average at .654. We are immensely proud of these girls and the entire team. A heartfelt thank you to all the fans who supported them this season; the park was more packed than ever, and the traveling supporters were impressive. Their dedication makes all the difference!
(article and photo submitted by Vivian Schaffers)
