Behind every great program is a coach who is well-known for driving that program to success, whether its in their first season or over a long period of time.
Some coaches enjoy spreading their philosophies and basking in their accomplishments that come based off of how they run their style of play.
However, some coaches like to let their players do the talking, as is the case with Bowling Green girls’ soccer coach Lisa Correa.
Beginning her 17th season with the Lady Purples, Correa picked up her 300th win with the program on Tuesday evening, a 10-0 decision over Warren Central.
As special as the accomplishment seems in Correa’s outstanding career at Bowling Green High, she stresses the importance of why she is where she is today.
“I love wins, but I don’t really look at those milestones as a coach,” Correa told the Sporting Times. “I would like to think that I am at the helm of it, but the kids did all of the work to make it happen.”
Speaking of milestones, Correa is no stranger to them, as she has led the Lady Purples to 10 District 14 championships and eight Region 4 crowns since taking the reins of the program in 2000.
“It’s nice to have good area teams around. I think that the rivalry with Greenwood is really fun, as well as with South Warren,” Correa said. “We try to schedule as much good competition as we can. We’ve been traveling to Tennessee a lot lately to play some of the better teams in the state down there.”
The Lady Purples have jumped out to a 6-0 start to the young season and have already proved themselves as a high-level competitor. 
“They’ve already gotten down in a game (against Ensworth, TN) before and they responded well,” Correa said. “They have a lot of fight in them and I think that they’ve set their sights high.”
Soccer has been a staple in Correa’s life since she was a young girl.
Growing up in Cincinnati, Correa played high school and club soccer throughout her childhood before going to college at Northern Kentucky University.
“NKU didn’t have soccer when I was a student there, so another player and I decided to start a club team,” Correa said. “We played other schools like Miami of Ohio that also didn’t have a soccer team.”
After suffering a knee injury playing club soccer for the Cincinnati Cardinals, Correa started her coaching career with a JV coaching job at Summit Country Day High School in Cincinnati and has been building on to her old-style way of coaching ever since.
Years later, back to present day, Correa takes on the challenge of continuing the massive success that is the Bowling Green High School athletic program.
“The expectation here is very high,” Correa said. “The players understand it and welcome it, and it’s a blessing for a coach. We are very well taken care of here at Bowling Green High, from maintenance to administration.”
While coaching soccer has been a lifelong occupation for Correa, one of her main focuses continues to be on coaching her girls to be successful young ladies. In 2016, the Lady Purples soccer team had an average GPA of 3.94.
“We try to stay on top of the players about their grades as much as we can,” Correa said. “Soccer is a privilege, but the players have to remember why they are at school.”
In due time, Correa has her own views on what she believes makes a team successful.
“I feel like when they play together as a team, I’ve done my job,” Correa said. “When the players take the initiative to step up and be a leader on the field, that’s when you’re going to have great teams.
“It’s good to be able to have fun because it represents great team chemistry, but when it’s time to work, it’s time to work.”
–Clay Manlove can be reached at (270) 724-9620 or clay.sportingtimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ctmanlove58–
