Lady Cyclones look to compete for top spot in 2023
Published 8:38 am Friday, August 4, 2023
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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The Elizabethton Lady Cyclone soccer team is looking to be stronger and more competitive in the team's second year under head coach Lauren Meier.
File Photo/Ivan Sanders Lady Cyclone girl's soccer head coach Lauren Meier.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
After an inaugural season in 2022 for Elizabethton High School girl’s soccer coach Lauren Meier in 2022, the second-year head coach is ready to see her team go above and beyond what they achieved in her first year as the program has seen a significant growth spurt fielding enough players to have a junior varsity team in 2023.
The growth has come as a result of a growing feeder program from T.A. Dugger, as that program has evolved into a competitive group that, much like football, comes to the high school more ready to compete at the high school level.
“Our team has doubled in numbers compared to last season,” said Meier. “We had a significant freshman class that has come in and joined us so we are really excited this year for the depth that we have now. They are not little in size physically as we have some height on us and some strength on us.”
The luxury of having a large group of younger players will pay great dividends as now the team can schedule junior varsity games which will allow for more experience.
“We are going to have a JV team this year that we haven’t had in a few years so we are really excited to get our younger players some experience and time on the field,” Meier noted.
For any team to be successful, there has to be a certain chemistry that will allow the players to bond as a team. Meier believes that her team has grown closer and is looking for that to translate to some great things on the field.
“We had a great summer working together,” Meier said. “These girls are working really hard and they are really excited for the season. We are looking forward to a good season. We are anticipating some wins for sure as that is everyone’s goal to get some wins under our belt and be able to compete.”
With a larger number of younger players, Meier will be leaning heavily on her senior class to come alongside those girls and provide insights on what it takes to play and succeed at a high level.
“We have a senior class of six or seven, so it’s a pretty big senior class,” said Meier. “We are depending on them to help a lot with these younger girls to help get us motivated and headed in the right direction.”
And while the team may be young, some of the new players coming into this year’s season will also be counted on to play significant minutes and not only play but contribute if the team is to be successful.
“We do have quite a few freshmen players that can be difference makers on our team so we are really excited to get them in and get them some experience playing with our girls. I think it’s going to be a seamless transition for some of them,” said Meier.
