The Wilson Post
LEBANON WEATHER

12 Nashville-area girls soccer teams to watch in the postseason





Mt. Juliet freshman forward Brooklyn Donohue (11) breaks free for the first goal of a 3-0 win at Lebanon earlier this season.TOMMY BRYAN

Mt. Juliet freshman forward Brooklyn Donohue (11) breaks free for the first goal of a 3-0 win at Lebanon earlier this season.TOMMY BRYAN

District soccer tournaments began this week and continue into next week.

Here are 12 Nashville-area high school teams that could make deep postseason runs.

Battle Ground Academy (13-5, Division II-A)

The Wildcats have been to the state finals each of the last three years, winning titles in 2019 and 2020 but finishing as the runner-up to University School of Jackson in 2021. BGA could earn a chance for revenge if it can navigate through the Division II-A playoffs. USJ (14-2) has put together an impressive encore performance by outscoring opponents 83-12.

Central Magnet (14-3, Class AA)

The Tigers got through District 11-AA with a clean record outside of a 2-1 loss at Page on Sept. 22. Those teams met for the Class AA title last year – with Page taking a 4-2 win – and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them face off again in Chattanooga.

Lipscomb Academy (10-2, Division II-AA)

Lipscomb Academy earned the Division II-AA Middle Region title for the first time in program history with a 6-1 league record. That included wins over heavyweights like defending state champion Harpeth Hall and five-time state champion Father Ryan. Ryan Bouch, who took over as head coach in 2020, has the Mustangs just one win away from their first state final four trip.

Lipscomb Academy's Maryn Brown (17) and Station Camp's Ayden Wood (right) go for a header on Aug. 16. Station Camp won the game 2-1.Phil Stauder / Main Street Nashville

Lipscomb Academy’s Maryn Brown (17) and Station Camp’s Ayden Wood (right) go for a header on Aug. 16. Station Camp won the game 2-1.Phil Stauder / Main Street Nashville

Merrol Hyde (12-2-1, Class A)

There hasn’t been a letdown after the Hawks won their first state title in 2021. Gianna Cruz (16 goals), Mary McIllwain (14) and Reagan Hudson (10) lead a high-powered offense that averages nearly six goals per game. Merrol Hyde’s only losses are to Hume-Fogg (Class AA) and West Creek (Class AAA).

Mt. Juliet (12-3-1, Class AAA)

Can the Golden Bears get over the hump? Mt. Juliet has been eliminated in the region semifinals for five straight seasons. Freshman phenom Brooklyn Donohue (23 goals) may be able to help the program advance further this year.

Ravenwood's Leah Johnson dribbles the ball up the field during a game against Nolensville on Sept. 1.Joel Clinger

Ravenwood’s Leah Johnson dribbles the ball up the field during a game against Nolensville on Sept. 1.Joel Clinger

Nolensville (9-3-1, Class AAA)

The Knights didn’t have a perfect regular season, losing to Houston, Page and Ravenwood. But those tests could pay off when Nolensville faces must-win games in the playoffs. Talented forward Maddie Padelski, who scored 31 goals as a freshman in 2021, already had 17 tallies through eight games this fall.

Page (14-0-2, Class AA)

Soak it in, Page fans. The Patriots are enjoying another special season after winning their first state title a year ago. Page has outscored its opponents 65-9 with a lineup that includes future college players like Reagan Hamilton (Appalachian State), Emerson Ladd (Tennessee Tech), Kate Nelson (North Alabama), Gracie Segundo (Belmont) and Abby Thornton (North Alabama).

Pope Prep (10-4, Division II-AA)

Pope Prep also went 6-1 in the Division II-AA Middle Region but lost to Lipscomb Academy 5-2 on Sept. 6. Recent South Carolina commitment Katie Shea Collins might be the most dangerous offensive player in the area. She scored five times in a key win over Harpeth Hall last week.

Ravenwood (7-2-1, Class AAA)

Ravenwood is a consistent contender, with four straight trips to state and two titles during that span (2019, 2020). Goalkeepers Kendall Curran and Lexi Grundler have combined to allow just five goals all season. The Raptors host Centennial to decide the District 11-AAA tournament title on Thursday.

Siegel (12-2-2, Class AAA)

Makai King is another freshman name to remember. Her debut season has included 16 goals and five assists for the Stars, who enter next week’s District 8-AAA tournament as the top seed. Siegel won its only state title in 2008 and last advanced to the final eight in 2019.

Station Camp (10-2-3, Class AAA)

The Bison are hoping this is the year they finally break through to the state tournament. Station Camp hasn’t advanced that far since it was a Class A-AA school in 2008. Even though senior forward Elle Williams was lost to a preseason knee injury, Emrie Springs and Ayden Wood have picked up the scoring slack to help the Bison reel off wins against Lipscomb Academy, Mt. Juliet, Ravenwood and Siegel.

Valor College Prep (10-1-2, Class AA)

Is this new South Nashville charter school turning into a soccer power? Valor’s boys team played for the Class AA state title last spring, and the girls team is holding up its end of the bargain so far this fall. Carys Correnti (14 goals) and Aubany Simpson (11) lead a balanced offense, while the defense has conceded just nine goals.

More to watch: Hume-Fogg (12-3-2), Nashville Christian (10-4), Oakland (11-3-1), Stewarts Creek (12-3)

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