Lady Cyclones open 2024 season with new optimism

Published 10:11 am Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

STAR CORRESPONDENT

The Elizabethton Lady Cyclones soccer team, coming off a 9-1 District 2A semifinal loss to Greeneville in the 2023 season, is entering 2024 with renewed optimism. Despite finishing 6-10-1 last year, head coach Lauren Meier has embraced a new approach to revitalize the team.

During the summer preseason, Meier organized workouts at Carson-Newman University and a team-bonding river rafting outing. “We had some really good workouts at Carson-Newman, and I reflected on last season and knew I had to adopt a different way,” Meier said. “We took the team on a river rafting outing as a team-bonding effort, and the kids had a lot of fun. There is more transparency, and that is really important.”

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

The Cyclones return key players including junior striker Izzy Lewis, Camdyn Garland, and goalkeeper Abbie Krawcyzk. “She has grown so much, and we are very excited for her,” Meier said of Krawcyzk. “Her confidence level is very high.”

Sophomore Maddix Morton will be a central figure on defense along with Savannah Smith and Hallie Powell, who is also expected to play a starting role.

The season will commence with scrimmages on July 30 at Jefferson County and August 6 at Chuckey-Doak, leading up to the season opener on August 13 with a home non-conference match against Providence Academy.

The Lady Cyclones have added four freshmen: Vella Nave, Sydnie Brock, Rorie Townsend, and Shamiso Tshuma. The team also includes four seniors—Aubrey Meier, Lily Baker, Smith, and Powell—seven juniors, and 12 sophomores, making for a youthful squad with significant potential.

“I’m excited about this season and what this team can do,” Meier said. “We are a young team with good senior and junior leadership, and I think we can achieve great things.”

EHS 2024 roster

3 – Sophia Swink Sophomore

4 – Vella Nave Freshman

5 – Lily Baker Senior

6 – Aubrey Meier Senior

7 – Izzy Lewis Junior

8 – Camdyn Garland Junior

9 – Sydnie Brock Freshman

10 – Savannah Smith Senior

11 – Asmara Perry Sophomore

12 – Ella Gardner Sophomore

13 – Ava Corum Sophomore

14 – Rorie Townsend Freshman

16 – Gracie Estep Junior

17 – Bailey Oakes Junior

18 – Maddie Stanberry Junior

19 – Isla Grindstaff Sophomore

20 – Hallie Powell Senior

21 – Abby Simerly Sophomore

22 – Abbie Krawcyzk Junior

23 – Maddix Morton Sophomore

24 – Caylie Tester Sophomore

25 – Caylee Carey Sophomore

26 – Shamiso Tshuma Freshman

27 – BreAnna Miller Sophomore

30 – Katie Hartley Sophomore

32 – Natalie Kodak Sophomore

Head Coach – Lauren Meier

Assistant Coach – Danny Birkner

Assistant Coach – Loran Campbell

EHS 2024 Schedule

Aug 13 – Providence Academy HOME

Aug 20 – University High AWAY (Winged Deer Park)

Aug27 – Tennessee High* AWAY

Sept 3 – David Crockett* HOME

Sept 5 – Morristown West HOME (May be moved)

Sept 9 – West Ridge AWAY

Sept 10 – Unicoi County* HOME

Sept 12 – Sullivan East * HOME (Senior Night)

Sept 13 – Providence tournament AWAY

Sept 19 – Tennessee High* HOME

Sept 24 – David Crockett* AWAY

Sept 26 – Unicoi County* AWAY

Oct 1 – Sullivan East* AWAY

Oct 3 – Volunteer HOME

* denotes conference game

Oct 8-10 – District playoffs

Oct 15-17 – Regional playoffs

Oct 18-21 – Substate playoffs

Oct 23-26 – State playoffs