In what was their first Region Title in Girls Soccer, the Lady Tigers may have to do some work to repeat in the always tough 5th Region. Coach Martin Botkin lost five seniors from the 2020 team, but two of them were big, like say 36-goals BIG. Emma Livingston and Whitney Rogers were a huge part of the offfense and will be missed, but Botkin will have others to step up like Sophia Sharp, Niah Thompson, Jaileyah Cotton and Kadence Walls. Bardstown played one of the toughest schedule’s last season and that most likely will not change.
If the Lady Tigers are to move on to another Region Championship, they will most likely have to face Bethlehem again to do so. The Banshee’s have been one of the most prolific offenses in the Region since their four straight Region Title days and nothing has changed. Although coach Danny Rossoll did lose four seniors (all starters), he also knows that he has one of the most talented sophomore classes in the Region (possibly the state) in Carlie Thurmond, Ashlyn Miles, Kensey Clayton, Presley Sparks, Hallie Hurst and Kloe Young. Add experience in Lilly Meredith, Anna O Bryan and Rebecca Lee along with another great freshman class and the 19th District looks to be the most competitive in the Region.
Once the Queens of the Region, it’s been six years since they last won the Region. Coach Pat Black does have a great team coming back from the one which went 12-2-1. The Lady Panthers only lost two starters from that team and return Brylee Davis, Kristen Swiney, Adelyn Inman and Mary Bell. The Elizabethtown defense only allowed 12-goals all season long and should be pretty stiff again.
Central Hardin was the 17th District Champ and defending Region Champion as well and have a great one-two scoring punch in Taylor Eidson and Haylie Panter. Although first year coach Justin Maddock’s team struggled to score (24 compared to 90 in 2019), their defense made up for it and one of Maddock’s first jobs is to find a replacement for All Area Goalie Olivia Fogle.
Nelson County had a fine season, but being the odd man out in the toughest District in the Region may have been great motivation for coach Richard Argueta. He will lean on Audrey LaRue and Katelyn Thompson for scoring and their defense allowed only 18-goals in 13-games.
