The 2023 Lady Owls Soccer team is preparing to kickoff their season this week. There have been many changes since last season. The region was reconfigured and our district saw Watertown move on and Cannon County return. The Lady Owls are no longer District 7A but instead are now 5A and Region 3. District 5A is made up of Smith County, York, Jackson County, and Cannon County.
Head Coach Nicholus Bussell has had some staff changes for the Lady Owls over the off season. Assistant Coach Kit Jenkins, who was also the head coach for the boys side, has left the squad to take the position of vice principal at Smith County High School. The pair had been one another’s assistant coaches for the past seven years. Coach Kit’s presence on the player sideline will be greatly missed. Coach Bussell and assistant coach Lisa Reece have welcomed two familiar faces to the staff, Shyenne Newton and Mallory Dillon. Shyenne played for the Lady Owls from 2016-2018, she was 7A all district first team in 2018. This is her second year working as a paraprofessional at Smith County High School. Mallory Dillon played for the Lady Owls from 2016-2019, she was co-captain her senior year, 7A all district second team in 2018 and first team in 2019. This will be her first year of teaching English at Smith County High School. Both of these ladies were part of the first back to back district championship teams in 2017 and 2018.
Heading into the 2023 season the Lady Owls have a much smaller squad than we are used to seeing, with 20 on the roster. For the first time we see this squad be equal parts of each end of the County with 10 players from each school. Another level of the motto this team holds dear, One Team.
On August 1st Smith County hosted Livingston for a scrimmage. It was a great opportunity for both teams to work through and find areas to strengthen. The Lady Owls were preparing for the annual playday at Portland on the fifth. However, the playday was abruptly canceled the night before. Being too late to to find a spot in another tournament, we saw the creation of a Black and Gold game.
On August 10th the Lady Owls held the first Black and Gold game, which is sure to become an annual tradition. With the help of the boys side including player positions as well as officiating, two sides played 30 minute halves. It was educational for the team and fun for everyone on and off the pitch.
August 15 the Lady Owls will travel to Upperman for the season opener. August 18th Smith County will host Greenbrier for the home opener and then kickoff district play hosting Cannon County on the 22nd.
For updates and times plus other content follow the team on the facebook page Smith County High School Lady Owls Soccer, and of course watch for news about the team and season here as well.
