Area girls’ soccer teams face tough region challengers in quest for state playoffs

Today, we take a look at the local girls’ high school soccer teams that are looking to find their way into the GHSA state playoffs later this spring, starting with a club who entered the week already with a solid 5-1 record on the new season.

Heritage Lady Generals

New coaches Lauren Peters and Marina Kugler and some talented returning players have the Navy-and-red feeling optimistic about the 2019 season, despite some heavy graduation losses from last year’s 16-win squad that advanced to the state playoffs.

Most of the senior class, Selah Giles, Sophie Roberts, Emily Shoenborn and Sophia Venable, will play in the midfield. Roberts can and will play some at forward, while Shoenborn will also split time on defense to assist senior keeper Lexi Besh.

Also back in the fold is 2018 Catoosa County Co-player of the Year Anna Boley. The junior is coming off a big sophomore campaign that saw her boot 28 goals and add 12 assists. The rest of juniors include Ansley Peeler, Haleigh Nichols, Alyssa Boley, Lucy Hicks, Lauren Gray, Olivia Malone, Gracie Scott and Sidney Wilson.

“Our team looked determined in the preseason,” Kugler said. “All of them are excited, energetic and ready to play. We have a great group of young ladies who have bought into the program. They are confident in their ability to play, as well as (being) talented soccer players. We play a team sport and everyone’s role is important.”