How do you carry forward the legacy of a player like Dylan Owens, four-year starter for the Lady Tigers and all-time leading scorer? If you’re Coach Tim Magee, you triple-team it.
Seniors Mary Hannah Miller, Madi Hinds, and Jessica Drennan will work together to fill Owens’ shoes and hopefully propel the Lady Tigers to a third straight district title.
“We lost a lot of seniors and most of our goals scored when we lost Dylan Owens,” said Magee. “We’ve got to try to find someone–or actually a group of players–who are going to step up and put those goals in that are lost. That’s what we’re looking for.”
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Miller scored 11 goals and 14 assists last season, second only to Owens, who scored 49 goals her senior year. Miller earned 2nd team All-District.
“Mary Hannah and Dylan worked well together,” said Magee. “I’m expecting her to step up and take some of that load for the team.”
Drennan, a small, fast forward/midfielder who had 3 goals and 3 assists last year, has signed to play soccer with the Evangel Crusaders.
Magee is especially impressed with the leadership Hinds is bringing to the Lady Tigers.
“No one has worked as hard as she has this off season,” said Magee. “Fitness wise, skill wise, determination–no one has come close to what she’s done. That whole group of seniors has worked hard, but she has really stepped up in a big way.”
Adding depth to the Lady Tigers’ scorers will be senior Molly Gault at midfield. Gault earned Honorable Mention All-District.
“I’m trying to get Molly to be more selfish and take more shots,” said Magee. “She’s so unselfish and wants to assist other people in scoring. It’s hard breaking her of that, but once she gets that down, she’ll be fine.”
The Lady Tigers topped off Magee’s second season as head coach with a 17-6 record and district title win over Hillcrest (1-0). Following a Class 3 sectional win over Carl Junction (1-0), the Lady Tigers’ run was stopped by Rockwood Summit in quarterfinals, 3-0.
Along with offensive changes, Magee plans to put a new spin on the Lady Tigers’ defense.
Sophomore Joran Mitchell-Stout will fill standout graduate Ali Perry’s spot. Perry plays soccer for the Westminster Blue Jays.
Rounding out the varsity squad are Madi Page (sr.), juniors Kelsie Carroll and Makenzie Thomas, sophomore Madison Bouse, and freshman Jackie Pence.
“Our biggest thing is finding people to put the ball in the net. This year will be so different in the fact that we have to truly play together to make those things happen,” said Magee. “It won’t be one person dominating. We will play as a group, a unit.”
Willard will host Rogersville on March 22.
