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Area soccer teams
on the
Story and photos by Jody Norwood Three weeks into the 2019 soccer season, a handful of teams are coming into their own. From restocking to rebuilding, several area programs are on the rise thanks to a mix of new coaches, new players or hard earned experience. A few teams on the list — notably the Lady Marshals and the Lady Lyons — have winning records. Other teams on the rise are still working in that direction. Of course, win-loss records don’t mean much during this part of the season. It’s still too early for postseason prognostication: there’s a lot of soccer between now and October, no matter much things starting to click. For some teams it’s still the start of building foundations. Armando Guell is in his second season leading Paducah Tilghman’s Lady Tornado. Through the early weeks, it appears things are heading in the right direction. Down the road at St. Mary, Blaine Skeen is in his first year with the Vikings. The Vikings’ win-loss record isn’t showing it yet, but things there
likewise are on an upswing. Despite the losses, the Vikings have been within striking distance during every game.
For others, the philosophy is already in place. So are the championships.
Marshall County entered the season as defending district and regional champions. Several key members from last year’s squad are back. It’s a similar situation down the road in Eddyville, where the team is young but experienced. Keeping things consistent, the Lady Lyons have a new head coach in familiar face Abby Smith, who served previously as the team’s assistant. For their male counterparts, it’s all new this season, with a new coach, new direction and several new pieces in place. But the Lyons are growing with every game and have a chance to put things together come September.
Their destiny is in their own hands, but part of their success may hinge on the fortunes of preseason favorites. One of those early picks is on the list of teams on their way up.
