The 2016 regular season was a struggle for the Lyon County girls’ soccer team. It was September 27th before the Lady Lyons got to celebrate a win, a 3-2 squeaker over Ballard Memorial. Prior to that, they had endured 11 losses and 5 draws, but something seemed to change for the Lady Lyons that late September night. From that point on they would go 3-2-1, avenging previous losses to Trigg and Crittenden in route to an improbable 5th District Tournament championship. Coach Emilee Workman attributes the team peaking at the crucial time to senior leadership and the play of an experienced goalkeeper. Overall, Lyon posted a 4-13-6 record, going 3-10-4 against 2nd Region teams and 2-5 in the district, with those two district wins coming on back to back, magical nights and propelling them to its 1st district championship since 2012. In 2016, the Lady Lyons scored a total of 36 goals and allowed 78, scoring 6 and allowing 19 in regular season district play. Over the two nights of the district tournament, they outscored those same teams 7-1. After the high of the district championship, Lyon got down to the business of its first 2nd Region tournament appearance since 2013, but it didn’t last long as they lost 4-0 to Webster County in the quarterfinals.
Coach Emilee Workman will be looking to replace five graduates, including leading scorer, midfielder/forward Caroline Hawkins. Hawkins scored 17 goals and was named to the All 5th District and the 1st Team All 2nd Region teams. Along with Hawkins, All 5th District selection McKenzie Melton will also leave a hole to be filled.
The Lady Lyons open the season August 15th against bitter, former, 4th District rival Caldwell County at Butler Stadium in Princeton. The two teams did not play in 2016. Coach Workman feels this will be a rebuilding season, particularly on the defensive end, as the team is “young with low experience in certain positions.” Workman expects a lot from her younger players and credits assistant coach Abby Smith with their progress. However, she feels it will be up to the upperclassmen to step into the leadership roles that have been vacated since last season.
