First-year Pillow Academy head coach Mary Clare Brock is quite clear on her expectations for this year’s girls soccer squad — a state championship.
“There is no doubt in my mind that gold medals are the colors that fit our team the most,” she said.
The former assistant coach at Pillow has every right to be confident on her squad winning it all in Class 4A since the Lady Mustangs lost zero seniors from last year’s squad. The team also has eight players who started two years ago on the 2018 state title team.
Anchoring the squad are four seniors who have started games for the last five years: Julia Love Lyon, Caroline Brock, Madeline Kelly and Mia Cole.
“This group of seniors is by far the closest group of seniors I have ever coached,” said Brock. “This year’s main leader is Julia Love Lyon. She is the one that opens her mouth all the time and pushes everyone in such a positive way.”
Lyon, Kelly and Cole will anchor what should be a mighty stout defense. Joined by fourth-year starter Kaley Hardin, they will lead the defensive 4-4-2 formation, with four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards.
Returning to the midfield will be defensive mid Lillian Harvey, offensive center mid Georgia Caroline Self and outside wingers Elise Howard and Madison Barlow. Junior Madeline Mattox returns for goalkeeping duties for her second year at that position. Also expected to play significant time off the bench is Avery Howard.
The new formation with two players up top will allow Sarah Presley Howard, a returning forward from the last two years, to be joined offensively at forward by Caroline Brock. Kelly will also see some play on offense as well.
“Since we play the big three Jackson schools home and away this year, I changed the formation we have played in the past since we haven’t been able to quite finish the way we are capable of,” said Coach Brock. “Caroline and Sarah Presley have a great connection, and their styles balance each other out. Madeline is able to do a lot of things offensively that we need also.”
The first-year head coach said that she purposely added series against three largest schools in the MAIS series to the regular season schedule to prepare her team for the playoffs.
“To be the best, you have to beat the best,” Brock said, who took over for retired coach Amy Coleman.
Brock will be helped by first-year assistant Merritt Belk, a former defensive stalwart for the squad.
The Lady Mustangs open up Aug. 3 at home against Class 4A foe St. Aloysius High School.
