It’s been a strange season already, but Thomas Nelson may have pulled off the biggest surprise of all.
When Coach Alex Martin approached the new season, he decided to ramp up his schedule a bit for the Thomas Nelson Lady Generals. The early results were a big tournament title in Oldham County and an even bigger win in the title game over powerful Elizabethtown, 3-1. Senior Ashley Ritchie scored twice, while senior Hannah Medley got one goal and the Lady General’s defense held the mighty Lady Panthers to a single goal (by Rebecca Black). It was the first time a team outside the 17th District (in the 5th Region) had beaten the mighty Lady Panthers since –Well! The KHSAA scoreboards only go to 2000, it might be even further than that in which a 5th Region team other than North Hardin, John Hardin, Meade County (when they were a member of that District) and Central Hardin had defeated them. Ritchie, who already has 17-goals this season (and over 100-goals after three seasons) were surprised by the Bethlehem Lady Banshees in their following game falling behind 2-0 early and were simply unable to make up the difference. Bethlehem has been an even bigger surprise with their 6-2 start and will challenge both Thomas Nelson and Bardstown this season.
Meanwhile over in the 17th District, Central Hardin despite losing lots of their scoring punch from last season have surprised many with their 5-0-2 record. After a slow start have really come on defensively and came up with a big 3-2 win over Elizabethtown after their first meeting getting a two-goal effort from senior Chloe Sheeran have surged ahead early and will try to keep the ever dangerous Lady Panthers an arm’s length away until their second and decisive meeting in September.
