7 pm Start for Lady Eagles
8/17/21
Evensville, TN -- The Rhea County Lady Eagles soccer team opens the season at home vs Bledsoe in a 7 pm start time. The Lady Eagles played well in the play-day held on Saturday in Cumberland County at Cumberland County High School.
Coach Katherne Bradley said, "The play day went well! We won our first game 7-0, second game 1-0, and tied the last one 1-1. 7 different players scored which is super encouraging."
Head coach Bradley answered a few questions before the season begins on Monday, August 17, 2021.
Who will be your key returning players from last year?
"Senior Sophie White will play a large role offensively for us. She was or leading scorer last season. Senior Michaela Reeves and Junior Hallie Smith will play large roles for us defensively. Reeves will play in the net mostly and some on the field as well. She was our 2nd leading scoring last year. Hallie Smith is a strong defender and an incredible leader. We are excited to have her as our center back this year."
Who will be your main competition in region?
"We are playing in a new district this year and are excited about the new competition. Walker Valley and Mcminn have been at the top of their district the last few years. I imagine they will be our toughest district opponents this season."
What do you know about your opening opponent Bledsoe?
"Bledsoe is a smaller school and has a small/newer program. It should be a good game to start the season for us. Hoping to get some good playing time for our new and younger players."
What is the strength of this years team?
"We have decent amount of Seniors and Juniors this year. So we will have a good bit of experience and leadership returning. We also have a strong Freshmen class coming in and are excited to see them grow as players and also see how they help grow our program."
Who do you look to provide the main scoring options?
"We are looking for scoring options from Sophie White (SR) and Laurel Butt (FR) from the top. Also looking for goals from some of our midfielders including, Shaylie Needham (JR), Sarah Horton (SR), Ally Belle Arnold (JR), and Emma Reeves (SO)."
Do you feel you have grown as a coach entering this year?
"I do feel like I have grown as a coach. This last year was difficult all around. I mean, coaching through a pandemic was not something I ever planned on doing. But it was a great reminder to focus on the things that are the most important. From a coaching standpoint those are things like developing the athletes character, encouraging them, loving them, and supporting them on and off the field."
"I was able to remind my athletes that wins and loses are not the most important thing, but controlling the things we can (our attitudes and actions) and always giving our best is what really helps us to become the better athletes, and better people in general. Also with so many things being canceled or postponed this past year I was able to spend more time studying the game and researching and planning practices and drills to better develop our athletes. Having less distractions definitely helped me grow as a coach this past year and hopefully it helped our girls as well."
Rhea County Lady Eagles Socccer:
| Number | First | Last | Grade |
| 23 | Sophie | White | 12 |
| 13 | Sarah | Horton | 12 |
| 16 | Abigail | Ives | 12 |
| 26 | Michaela | Reeves | 12 |
| 8 | Lynsey | Butt | 12 |
| 14 | Cassidy | Robinson | 12 |
| 7 | Shaylie | Needham | 11 |
| 18 | Bailey | Brown | 11 |
| 33 | Savannah | Tilley | 11 |
| 27 | Autumn | Spivey | 11 |
| 12 | Ally | Belle Arnold | 11 |
| 28 | Hallie | Smith | 11 |
| 22 | Ann | Moses | 11 |
| 3 | Julianna | Prescott | 11 |
| 11 | Emma | Reeves | 10 |
| 1 | Anna | Grace Fraley | 9 |
| 10 | Cammie | Ruehling | 9 |
| 17 | Lilly | Chattin | 9 |
| 19 | Laurel | Butt | 9 |
| 31 | Bekah | Horton | 9 |
| 25 | Lilli | Gardner | 9 |
