Experienced CCS aiming for state championship
So much for easing into the schedule. Two of Chattanooga’s most accomplished high school girls’ soccer programs — Baylor and Chattanooga Christian — will face each other in a season opener this evening.
Baylor’s Lady Red Raiders, who won last year’s meeting 1-0, are the defending Division II-AA state champions, and CCS was the runner-up in Division II-A last season. They’ll meet tonight at 7 at CCS, but regardless of the outcome both teams again have soaring expectations.
“We know Baylor is always good and the perception is that they’re better than us, so we’re the underdogs,” said CCS senior midfielder Addie Henry. “But a win would be a good way to get our season started going in the direction we want to go.”
Even on a team loaded with 10 seniors, Henry and defender Kate Dirkse stand out as leaders, both on and off the field. They will be counted on heavily not only to carry the Lady Chargers in the right direction but to help the program claim a state title after coming up short, 2-0, in last year’s final.
CCS, which has reached the state tourney seven straight years and played in the title game twice in the past three seasons, hasn’t won a championship since 1997.
“We’ll be disappointed if we don’t win it this season,” added Henry, who scored 14 goals and had 10 assists last year. “We played on back-to-back days in the tournament, and we were really tired and just didn’t play our best. That disappointment has driven us during the offseason and in our conditioning, so we’re in better shape.
“This season is kind of our redemption.”
Henry, who has signed a soccer scholarship with Carson-Newman, is a three-sport star at CCS, and Dirkse, a Lee University soccer signee, has been a starter in both soccer and as the basketball team’s point guard for four years.
“Those two bring that competitive edge that you don’t see in everyone,” CCS coach Cal Sneller said. “They’re great athletes who are not just out there to play their best, they are driven to win. They’ve taken ownership and are great leaders.
“Addie has a powerful leg. We want to develop having a pool of other scorers so things will open up even more for her, but everyone knows if you get near the goal and don’t have a shot, find Addie. Kate reads the ball very well and is so physical and strong, if it’s in the air it’s hers.”
Both earned Best of Preps honors last year, helping CCS to a 21-2-2 finish with a quickstrike offense that kept opponents on their heels. Dirkse added 10 goals and is the team’s shut-down defender. She’s also backed by two senior keepers.
“We’ve got good team chemistry and good depth, so that should keep us from getting as worn down,” Dirkse said. “This first match will tell us a lot about where we stand and what we’ve got to work on for the season.
“The goal has always been to win a state ring. There’s a different feeling knowing this is our last year together and our last chance to get it done. We feel like we have everyting we need to have a special season.”
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.