If Pillow Academy is going to win a state championship once again, the Lady Mustangs will have to beat the defending three-time state champions to do it.
They will have a chance to do that at home on Thursday.
The Lady Mustangs host Lamar School of Meridian in a semifinal state AAAA Division II clash at 5:30 p.m.
They will be trying to defeat a team that has crushed their hopes in the state championship game the last three years, losing to Lamar dramatically by one goal in each of those contests.
“Our attitude going into the game is that we have not worked this hard for our road to end here,” third-year head coach Amy Coleman said. “We are on fire right now and ready to fight tooth and nail for the ultimate victory.”
The Lady Mustangs will have to battle a Lamar team led by Emma Kate Uithoven, a sophomore star who plays Division I soccer for a Birmingham all star team. Uithoven leads the Raider squad with 11 goals, and is well known in Pillow circles for kicking the championship winning shot against Pillow two years ago. Also tied for the team lead with 11 goals is center forward Ali Rowland.
Pillow is lead by senior Claire Coleman, who has a team-high 18 goals. Also starting at forward is Sarah Presley Howard with 11 goals and speedy left-footed star Madison Barlow, coming back from a midseason injury.
Pillow’s midfield starters include Georgia Caroline Self, Catherine Grace Lary, and Caroline Brock.
The stout defensive line in front of goalie Jane Rob Pannell includes Kalley Hardin, Madeline Kelly, Mia Cole, and Julia Love Lyon.
Others expected to see action include Lilli Smith, Elizabeth Powers, Isabella Vasquez, Avery and Elise Howard, and Holly Whitfield.
“Every one of these girls has bought into the gameplay of quick, selfless play, and because of that I think we are the team to beat,” Coleman said.
The game will be livestreamed on youtube at pillow academy.com.
