Bardstown Lady Tigers (17-8)- After losing several senior starters from their first Region Title team including Emma Livingston, head coach Martin Bodkin looked like he was in a transition season in 2021, instead the Lady Tigers won two straight Region Tourney games by a goal and then pulled off an incredible upset of Sacred Heart in the Sweet Sixteen of the KHSAA Tournament. Despite falling the following week, the Lady Tigers had much to be proud of a despite losing top scorers Jaileyah Cotton (20-goals) and Kadence Walls (17-goals) and Sophia Sharp, they will still be formidable in 2022. Bodkin has a knack for finding the right parts for the machine and junior Tate Blincoe, Ava Robey and Rowan Walls. The Lady Tigers will also have both Emily Clements and Catherine Head in the Goal as well. The Lady Tigers also have a loaded schedule with Elizabethtown, Bethlehem, Sacred Heart, Assumption, Greenwood and Central Hardin.
Bethlehem Banshees (23-2-1)- You’d think after making the 5th Region Championship game the last seven years, the Banshees would consider last season a successful season, but this year’s team isn’t ready to rest on their laurels and are ready to start the season with a chip on their shoulder for the eighth straight season. With Dan Rossoll stepping down after a successful Region and State Tournament run, the new guy on the sideline is Scott Deopere and he still has some of the youngest and most explosive talent in the Region as well as the State starting junior Carlie Thurmond will return as one of the most dangerous scorers in the area after scoring 60-goals last season. She is followed sophomore Tess Miles (28-goals) and led the team with 31-assists. Older sister Ashlyn Miles is another reliable offensive weapon (24-goals). The Banshees also welcome back the return of Hallie Hurst (22-assists), who suffered a season ending knee injury in the District Final, but is at full strength. Juniors Presley Sparks (9-goals/17-assists) and Khloe Young (4-goals/7-assist) are also back. Kensey Clayton and Lilly Meredith help spearhead a defense which allowed only 26-goals in 26-games. Sophomore Gracie Zutterman will be in the Goal after Rebecca Lee finished a marvelous season. The Banshees start the season in the Fayette County Soccer Spectacular.
Elizabethtown Lady Panthers (16-5-1)- With longtime coach Pat Black stepping down, Rob Zoeller has returned to take over the Lady Panther girls soccer position. Zoeller will return a very strong team which only lost a few starters from last season. Junior Adelyn Inman will return as the team’s leading scorer (26-goals) and she is followed by sophomore Noelle Garcia (20-goals). Sophomore Campbell Wallace (10-goals/13-assists) is very close behind and sophomore Kennedy Carter (21-assists) will be there to help distribute the ball. This year’s team is considerably young with just three seniors, seven juniors, six sophomores and five freshman and should be good for years to come.
Central Hardin Lady Bruins (10-11-1)- Last season, the Lady Bruins experienced some growing pains and their struggles did lead to the talent peaking at just the right time. First pulling out an exciting last second win over North Hardin in the elimination round the District Tournament and then took Bethlehem down to the wire in a shootout in the quarterfinals of the Region Tournament before finally falling. Ironically, coach Justin Maddock will have a good team returning with his top three scorers in the fold starting with seniors Haylie Panter (22-goals/12-assists), Taylor Edison (13-goals/15-assists) and junior McKenna Johnson (11-golas/14-assists). The Lady Bruins return plenty of defense as well.
Nelson County Lady Cardinals (15-3-1)- Head coach Richard Argueta put together a great team which fought tooth and nail against the powers of the 5th Region. Unfortunately, the Lady Cardinals were in the toughest District in the Region with both Bardstown and Bethlehem to deal with. A double overtime loss to Bardstown in the semi-finals of the district Tournament ended their season. First order of business is to replace top scorers Audrey LaRue and Katelyn Thompson. Nelson County graduated nine seniors and most played pivotal roles for the Lady Cardinals. Junior Chloe Boone, sophomore Alivia Morris and senior Alexis Parrot should get more playing time. Goalkeeper Reagon Trzop will be back as well.
