By Kailee Dick
The Livingston Academy Lady Wildcats were in the driver’s seat for the entirety of Tuesday’s District 7AA matchup at White County as they defeated the Warriorettes 9-0.
“We really wanted to work on passing the ball around and improve on switching along the back line,” said Head Coach Heather Marshall. “We had a feeling that they might stack the box on us, so really just having that possession was a key for us.”
Livingston controlled the game from the start as they posted 5 first-half goals. Scored by freshman Saige Howard, followed up with two from Junior Taryn Childers, one from Sophomore Katlyn Beason and junior Mallori Lindsay.
The second half was all Hogeye again as the Lady Wildcats pushed their lead to 9-0 to win via mercy rule. Livingston’s second-half goals came from senior Jazmine West, junior keeper Lainey Bowers and senior Sienna Milligan to end the game.
“I think we possessed well and our back line did well,” said Marshall. “Lauren Storie stepped up for us and Taryn Childers stepped up as well. This was Sienna Milligan’s first game back from a concussion, so we had a bunch of people stepping up. We also had some people in some new roles tonight. I am very proud of the performance with people playing in new positions and they did well in them.”
Livingston Academy used the game as an opportunity to gain experience for the entire Lady Wildcats’ roster.
“That is what we try to do, and we try to make it fun,” said Marshall. “We gave our defense opportunities to score, while also getting our keeper (Lainey Bowers) her first goal of the year. She doesn’t get to play the field very often, so when you have that opportunity you have to give it to her.”
The Lady Wildcats will travel to Merrol Hyde at 7 p.m. on Thursday while White County is looking to get their first win of the season at Sequatchie County Thursday night.
“We meet Merrol Hyde Thursday, and that is going to be a big game for us. They are tough, so I am glad we had this little bit of a confidence boost going in.”