By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Liberty Lady Eagles have a new soccer coach this season. Ashley English is new to the Mountain View – Birch Tree district and moved to the area last October, starting a physical therapy position at Mercy.
“I started playing soccer when I was four years old,” said English. “I played club ball since I was little and also played on the Olympic Development team. I played at Sylvan Hills High School in Little Rock, Arkansas and played college soccer all four years at Central Baptist College.” English said she has coached five-year-olds, and this will be her first experience coaching older girls.
Last season, the Lady Eagles won against Fair Grove in the first round of district play, but ended their season with a 5-16-1 record. Mia Wagner, Marley Kyle, Samantha Herold, Peyton Bush, Haley Radford, and Marie McClellan were contributing players last season who have now graduated.
English said she is looking forward to starting fresh with her new team.
“I have spent some time with some of the girls for conditioning practices,” said Coach English. “However, we had to cancel most of our practices due to weather and sickness. I am excited about the girls I have seen; they all have great attitudes and encourage each other when someone is struggling with something. I think they will work well together.”
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Returning players include Sydney Radford, Tatiana Chavez, and Litzy Lopez. Kaydence Farris, Olivia Miller, Alayna Duran, Kaylie Wagner, Gianna Reed, Addison Burks, Ana Rodriguez, Acsa Cardoza, and Jacky Rodriguez will also be names heard on the field this season.
Bailey Wagner is a former player who will now be assisting Coach English.
“I would love to be able to win some games, have fun playing some soccer, and end the season injury-free,” said English. “We are very excited to get started with this season with the strong lineup of both old and new players. I’m excited that the team and the coaching staff are fresh-faced, and it’s really an opportunity to start something great here. With my background in collegiate soccer and Bailey’s background in endurance training, I believe these girls will be in the best hands and have a great opportunity to learn and grow.”
The Lady Eagles will begin their season March 18-19 in the Heritage Bank Lebanon Kickoff Tournament.
