From the Sports Desk

with Carey Phillips: 06/07/01

The season was the end of the playing days for six seniors who had seen 55 wins during the four years they had been in the program. It also brought to an end the four-year coaching tenure of Chris Griffin, who resigned from his teaching position here and moved to Florida.

After winning the first state playoff game in the program's history last season, hopes were high for another run at the post season. If not for a disastrous 13 minutes at Franklin, that's where the Lady Mustangs would have ended up.

The Lady Panthers overcame a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 lead in those last 13 minutes of regulation, and the game ended in an overtime tie.

Assistant coach Phil Woody said "several mental breakdowns" contributed to Franklin's rally. Enka edged SM by a half game for the WAC's second seed into the playoffs. In addition to the Franklin tie, the Lady Mustangs' 1-0 loss to Enka kept them home for the post season.

"We played the Monday after the seniors returned from their cruise and a week of no practice," Woody said. "I'm convinced we beat them if that game had been played at a later date and we had a couple of days of practice."

While those two games were the season's low points, there were plenty of highlights. Included were revenge victories over Franklin (4-1) and Enka (2-1).

"Beating Enka on Senior Night proved we were the better squad," Woody said.

He added that taking conference champion Tuscola to the wire twice were other high points. The seniors were Lindsey Lewis, Katie O'Neill, Jenna Bates, Kaitlin Ritchie, Melissa Collins and Evie Graning.

"It will be extremely challenging to replace the experience that these graduates take with them," Woody said.

"If Lindsey had dedicated herself to soccer, she would be a Division I goalkeeper," he said. "She holds all goalie records for Smoky Mountain, including wins (45), shutouts (24) and saves (359). Lindsey has incredible reflexes and soft, sure hands. We always felt we had a chance with her in goal, and it allowed our defenders to take more chances. She had an outstanding career and will be difficult to replace."

Lewis made the all-conference team the past three seasons.

"We call Katie the ŒSoccer Warrior,' " Woody said. "She started all 77 games of her high school career. This season she moved to sweeper and did an excellent job at a new, demanding position. Katie loves to compete, and her fire will be missed."

A co-winner of the Mustang Award, O'Neill showed her courage by playing the final six games with an ankle injury that required surgery following the season. She was named all-conference for the third straight year.

"No one loved playing, sweating, bleeding and getting dirty more than Jenna," Woody said. "She refused to quit and would do anything legal to help the team. She was completely unselfish. Bates shared the Mustang Award and was named all-conference.

"Kaitlin was second on the team with 14 goals and third all-time in goals and assists," he said. "Kaitlin has started for four years and has improved every year. Her speed and strong right leg were forces for opponents to contend with."

"Melissa capped off a fine career with 36 points, second on the team," Woody said. "She finished fourth on the career goals list with 39. She had excellent all-around soccer skills and was always a threat which other teams respected."

"Evie competed as hard as anyone in the conference and developed during her career into an important contributor," he said. "She was as tough as anyone on the team and played much of the season injured. She was a key part of our defense."

Juniors were Katie Loughlin, Sarah Kehrberg, Keely Moll, Kai Oliver and Christina Huntsman. "Katie was a versatile player who played four positions," Woody said. "She scored over a point a game (24 in 21). Katie's play next season will be crucial to the success of the team."

"Sarah improved this season more than any other player," he said. "When she learns to play with confidence and assert herself, she will be hard to stop. She will be looked to for more scoring next year."

"Keely plays with a lot of heart and intensity," Woody said. "She gives opponents fits with her ball handling ability. She was second on the team with seven assists from her outside midfield position."

"Kai played her first year of high school soccer this year and appeared in 11 matches," he said. "With a year of experience, she will be counted on to contribute more next season."

"Christina missed several contests due to injury and other commitments, but when she got her opportunities she gave it 100 percent," Woody said. "Her toughness will be a key element next year."

Sophomores were Sarah Whatley, Anna Dill, Sunny Davies, Rachel Newbold, Linzy Bumgarner and Brittany Hilton.

"Sarah has already amassed 36 career goals, sixth in school history," Woody said. "She is on track to break many school records. She'll have to elevate her game next season as she will draw the focus of opposing defenses."

She was named to the all-conference team.

"When focused, Anna dominates opponents with her quickness and speed," he said. "She has become an excellent ball handler and may move to midfield next year. She has the potential to be all-conference with consistent play."

"Sunny is extremely fast with a hard shot," Woody said. "She is effective at forward or midfield. She scored the game-tying goal to salvage a tie at East Henderson."

"Rachel is hard working and a quick learner," he said. "She scored two key goals in late season matches. She has deceptive speed and is a hustler."

"Linzy is one of the hardest workers in practice," Woody said. "She is gritty and determined and will not back down. Look for her to step into a starting role."

"Brittany is a versatile player who played three positions," he said. "She has the physical ability to dominate opponents. She stepped in as goalie at East Henderson and was outstanding." Greta Bates was the team's lone freshman.

"Greta earned a starting position early in preseason," the coach said. "She played with the savvy and skill of a veteran. She is tenacious and determined and has a chance to be all-conference with continued effort."

Things will be more difficult next year when the Lady Mustangs join the Mountain Athletic Conference putting them in the same league with perennial state powers Asheville and Roberson. Those squads have won the Western Regional championships the past two seasons.

Four-time defending WAC champion Tuscola will also be moving into the MAC as will playoff representative Enka. Other members of the conference will be Franklin, Erwin, East Henderson and North Buncombe.

"The addition of two top five programs (Asheville and Roberson) will make competition fierce and a real challenge," Woody said. "Our program has tasted success and will continue to be a force. A state playoff spot is easily within reach. We have a good mix of returning players with speed and quickness. This year's sophomores will step up and provide quality minutes."

He said rising sophomores from a successful JV team will also be counted on to contribute. "Replacing six veterans will be difficult, but the pieces are there to form a nice team," Woody said. "The new coach will inherit a good nucleus of returning players."

Back to Sports: 06/07/01.