Page 18 • August 2019
Fresh Start Lyons, Lady Lyons start season with familiar faces as new head soccer coaches
By Jody Norwood
For the first time since 2014, Lyon County will start the season with new coaches guiding the mens and womens soccer teams.
During the summer, new Athletic Director Zach Thomas announced new head coaches Abby Smith and Mike Daily. Both are familiar faces to local soccer fans, and the programs they’re taking over. Both have recently been assistant coaches and Daily has been involved in youth development for several years. As with any new season, both coaches have a few roster spots left to fill.
Lyon County Lady Lyons The defending Fifth District champions are coming off their best record in recent years at 12-4 in 2018. The team also picked up a win in the All ‘A’ tournament before bowing out to University Heights Academy. Smith will take over for Emilee Workman, who left to free up time for personal pursuits.
Looking at the roster, this will be one of the most experienced teams the Lady Lyons have fielded in years with 10 upperclassmen. That includes five seniors: Kate Gray, Bailey Guess, MaKenzie Lewis, Emily Smith and Kayden Watts.
“Age-wise, we’re good,” Smith said. “Three of our seniors have played all for four years. Some of those juniors I’ve coached since they were youth league, like U6 and U8. That gives me an idea coming in of their strengths and weaknesses, knowing them since they were little.” Smith said her overall familiarity with the players makes the
transition easier.
“We already know each other and are comfortable,” Smith said. “Having them [as a fourth grade teacher] I know their personalities already. They’ve all had me as a fourth grade science teacher.”
As the girls got underway with a camp following the state-mandated dead period, the familiarity was noticeable. The players refer to her as Miss Abby instead of Coach. Smith said she doesn’t mind. “Other than Mom, that’s my second favorite name,” Smith said.
Much of what she and Workman put in place will continue over this season. Smith said she doesn’t anticipate many differences, but has already experienced two ACL tears that will prevent a freshman and a sophomore from participating. That may create for mixing up some of the offense and defense.
Lyon will open the season Aug. 13 hosting Hopkins County Central. They’re set to take part in the All ‘A’ Classic on Sept. 3, and head into districts after playing on the road at Muhlenberg County on Oct. 1. Smith said one of the team’s best virtues isn’t skill with the ball, but instead their ability to lift up each other. “They’re positive,” Smith said. “They’re not complaining. They’re coming out here at 8 a.m. My girls are coming in happy and smiling. They love what they’re doing.”
Smith attributes the teams 26 rostered players to the good attitudes. She hopes that will carry over to the stands. “The fans, I want them to go to work this year,” Smith said.
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