Six Shelby County teams chasing girls soccer titles
Here's a look at the Shelby County soccer teams that will competing at the state soccer tournament, which begins Wednesday at Siegel Soccer Park in Murfreesboro. The AAA championship game will be 11 a.m. Saturday, followed by the Division 2-AA game at 4 p.m. and the D2-A game at 6:30 p.m.
AAA
Collierville
Coach: Brittany Streger
Record: 15-3-3
Last appearance: 2015
State titles: One (2005)
Quarterfinal opponent: Lincoln County (21-1-0) Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. on Field No. 2
Storylines: The Dragons have been terrific throughout 2016, with two of their three losses coming to Houston, so don't expect them to be fazed by the big-game atmosphere at state. Kate Johnson scored the late winner against Bartlett in the sectional in the final minute of play and that victory could spur them on this week. With veterans like Kammy McGee, Avery Omar, Lauren Lannan and Lauren Webber on board, Collierville will be hard to beat.
Houston
Coach: David Wolff
Record: 17-0-2
Last appearance: 2015
State titles: Seven (1996, 1998, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015)
Quarterfinal opponent: McMinn County (12-8-2) Wednesday at 4 p.m. on Field No. 3
Storylines: The Mustangs just need to do what they've been doing all year, and over the last three seasons for that matter. Defense has been crucial to Houston's spectacular run since 2013 (82-1-5 record, two titles, one runner-up) but Wolff's team has outdone itself this year, allowing just two goals (one on a penalty) all year. Goalkeeper Kaylee Hammer and all-star defender Katrina Ostrom are the senior leaders but Wolff's rotation policy keeps everyone on their toes and ready to contribute. With star Paola Ellis injured (ACL), players like Jenna Kemp, Cara Brown and Jillian Hildreth will be depended on to create offense.
Division 2-AA
Briarcrest
Coach: Alexis Heinz
Record: 12-1-5
Last appearance: 2015
State titles: One (2015)
Semifinal opponent: Nashville Ensworth (11-3-3) Friday at 4 p.m. on Field No. 3
Storylines: Getting the second goal will be vital; the Saints have allowed only eight goals all year with 13 shutouts but at times have struggled to score. Kaitlyn Echols and Peyton Moore form an excellent center-back combination while sophomore Julia Perrusquia holds down the midfield. Kylee Bright, Kaylee Smithmeier and Sydney Ham have been linking up well in recent games and Heinz hopes they'll put some balls in the back of the net this weekend.
Hutchison
Coach: Candice Spinolas
Record: 5-6-5
Last appearance: 2006
State titles: none
Semifinal opponent: Nashville Father Ryan (9-2-6) Friday at 4 p.m. on Field No. 1
Storylines: Spinolas says the energy around the program's first state trip in a decade is the best she's seen in seven years as coach with players adopting an all-for-one, one-for-all approach that spurred them to finish with four victories and three draws in their last eight games. The underdog Sting will be facing a physical team in Father Ryan and can't afford to let the Fighting Irish dictate play, but as long as they keep supporting one another and working hard, they could surprise.
Division 2-A
ECS
Coach: Jordan Thompson
Record: 15-3-1
Last appearance: 2015
State titles: One (2015)
Semifinal opponent: University School of Nashville (13-9-0) Friday at 4:30 p.m. on Field No. 4
Storylines: It sounds obvious but Thompson feels like his team will be in good shape if it can score goals, preferably early in the match. Center backs Caitlyn Somogyi and Graham Sippel and fullbacks Caroline Coolidge and Hailey Rogers have defended well all season and when the Eagles get a lead, their possession-based style makes them tough to come back against. Molly Martin and Maddy Stolnicki will need to be at their creative best up front.
St. George's
Coach: Tony Whicker
Record: 14-4-3
Last appearance: 2015
State titles: Three (2007, 2009, 2013)
Semifinal opponent: Battle Ground Academy (22-1-1) Friday at 4:30 p.m. on Field No. 2
Storylines: Whicker has seen this movie before; the Gryphons and BGA meet for the fifth straight year in the semis with the Wildcats winning the last two and St. George's the two before that. The coach wants his team to possess with a purpose against a direct-playing team with a very good midfield. Goalkeeper Ann Ragan Grissom and center-back Olivia Fitzgerald have been solid all year while Sydney Brown and Isabel Correia will be relied on to supply creativity in the final third of the field.