The Fort Campbell girls’ soccer team posted a 6-12 record in 2017, the second-straight season the Lady Falcons found themselves stuck on 6 wins. However, there were high points, including a stretch of 4 wins in 5 games and a momentous victory over 8th District rivals Hopkinsville. They scored 41 goals while conceding 79, falling in the first round of the district tournament for the third-straight season.
Coach Michele Ellis enters her fifth season on post tasked with replacing 5 seniors, including offensive leaders Maddison Ruggles and Jordan Hardy. Ruggles was second on the team with 12 goals and first in assists with 5, while Hardy’s 10 goals were good enough for third and her 3 assists were second.
While those numbers won’t be easy to replace, the Lady Falcons do return a strong core of starters. Junior Kaitlyn Cervantes led the team in goals last season with 14, while senior Hannah Salas is back in the goal after allowing 3.1 goals per game. Junior Angel Manalang split time at goalkeeper last season, yeidling 3.8 goals per game, and can also play in the field where needed. Senior defenders Jasmine Ward and Arianna Shorter bring experience to the back line, joined by sophomores Emmie Ellis and Regan Oakley. Juniors Hannah Eastes, Caterina Marineau and Halee Brugge are newcomers projected to be in the starting lineup, with freshman Aria DeSilva and junior Kylie Gamblin rounding out the first eleven.
The Lady Falcons begin their regular season schedule with a trip to Morton’s Gap to face Hopkins County Central. The Lady Storm won last season’s match 6-2.