A team to remember - the 2013-14 Lady Pioneers

Another deep dive into old Pioneer lore with sports editor Jeff Simmons about the 2013-14 girls soccer teams

Originally written in 2020

The talent was overwhelming. The speed, the skill, the teamwork – it stood out every time the Lady Pioneers took the field. Nobody could look past the Warren County girls soccer program early last decade, and little has changed since.

Few could have known when the century started what was brewing on the Pistole Park fields, but by the team the classes of 2013 and 2014 were suiting up for coach Todd Willmore, something special was happening in local soccer. The results speak for themselves.

Two district titles. Two wins in region matchups. Two bids to substate. A grand total of 65 victories over a five-year period. Warren County soccer was a powerhouse, and the Lady Pioneers were uber-talented.

“We had countless girls win all-district honors, six girls honored as a District MVP (either overall, offensive, defensive, etc.), 10 first-team, all-region performers and two second-team, all-region players, and two girls were named to the all-state team twice during their career,” recalled Willmore. “That type of talent makes coaching easy, especially when you are working with girls that are genuinely great people who love each other and love their sport.”

Willmore recalls seeing the momentum start building in 2009, when the Lady Pioneers got an injection of young talent to combine with a core of strong leaders.

Those freshmen included Ashlyn Anish, Alya Anish, Fran Duvall, Annie Willmore, Madison Smartt, Rayah Kirby, Kimberly Warden, Lyndi Dodd, Lauren Roller and Hayle Clemons. It was a class which would prove to be one of the best in school history.

And it all came together years before.

“Travel soccer brought us together. We started playing together when we were around 10. Those first few years were rough,” said Kimberly Warden, who would later take over the program from Willmore, with a laugh.

Lyndi Dodd Pack, who would emerge as one of the best keepers in the region, also remembered the early days, adding, “What brought us together would have to be travel soccer at such a young age. I really enjoyed playing with such a wonder group of girls.”

By 2010, extra ammunition for the Lady Pioneer lineup arrived. The Class of 2013 would produce two of the best goal scorers in Tennessee girls soccer history – Ansley Mullican and Morgan McCormick – along with standouts Kristin Maynard, Jessie Newby, Taylor Mullican, Courtney Blair and Lesley Sweeton.

The program was locked and loaded, stocked with homegrown talent that was mostly trained locally as well.

“Most of the 2009 freshman class had played together with a travel team since the third grade. Alan Brownyard was their coach during those critical years and contributed a great deal to their overall development as soccer players,” said Willmore. “Alan did an excellent job of developing not only their fundamental skill level, but also their soccer IQ. The entire group understood spacing, team shape, etc. and had excellent technical skills.”

When the group merged in 2011, a regular season district championship followed. Building up to being a Midstate powerhouse took time though, as the Lady Pioneers were defeated in the district tournament finals and fell in the region a week later.

“The region berth gave them a glimpse of what was needed to advance deeper in postseason play,” said Willmore.

Coming into the 2012-13 school year, the Lady Pioneers knew it was their time. Warden, Mullican and McCormick had all won player of the year awards the year before and the entire starting lineup was the envy of opposing district coaches.

The Lady Pioneers were almost two-deep at every position with all-district talent, making them a preseason favorite to make a deep postseason run. The only problem for the team ended up being the Warren County A&L Fair.

“We were scheduled to play in a Nashville tournament against several quality teams, which we thought would help prepare the girls for the stretch run. Unfortunately, the fair fell on the same dates of the tournament and we had a small mutiny – about half of the girls decided the fair was more important,” said Willmore. “In hindsight, it is actually funny and we have laughed about it as a group many times. It initially divided the team, but ultimately ended up making them closer and more focused to finish strong.”

With several starters out for the event, it also gave Willmore the chance to insert younger players. “It gave them some unbelievable playing experience, which paid off later,” admitted Willmore.

After the tumultuous weekend, Willmore held a ‘Come to Jesus’ meeting with the team. Willmore wanted to refocus the Lady Pioneers, clear the air and get everybody on the same page.

“The great thing about that group is they honestly loved each other and cared about each other as teammates. After the meeting, the girls took nothing for granted and walked through the remainder of the season and tournament,” said Willmore.

The rest of the district didn’t stand a chance.

Bonded together, Warren County started dismantling teams on its way to a district tournament championship. McCormick recorded a hat trick in a 4-1 victory over Coffee County in the title game.

“My favorite memory is winning the district title. The feeling of accomplishment and being the best in the district was so great,” said Warden.

Warren County finally pushed past the region semifinals in its next game, beating Ooltewah 5-1 behind two goals from Smartt. It was the team’s 15th – and final – victory in the 2012 season, as the Lady Pioneers were later defeated in the substate by Siegel.

“We hosted our first regional tournament game in years. Winning that game put us in the region championship and guaranteed a sectional match. Unfortunately, we lost to Siegel, but it was a great year,” said Willmore. “There were so many moments throughout that five-year run that helped develop them as a team. No doubt there were a number of great players on those teams, but all of them were truly about what was best for our team.

“It was extremely fun to be part of a group like that and I have very fond memories for all of them.”

Saying goodbye wasn’t easy for Willmore. Leaving was even harder for the 2012-13 seniors.

“I remember crying before the game was even over. There were 10 minutes left and I just started crying,” said Warden. “I was so proud of how far we made it, but I was also hoping to make it farther. Our team made history and I was so grateful to be a part of it.”

Willmore had to rebuild the majority of his roster after the 2012 season, but he still had Mullican and McCormick – returning all-state players – to build around. Depth may have suffered from the loss of such a historic class, but the Lady Pioneers didn’t fall off.

Warren County won 16 games in 2013, including a game no member of the team will ever forget in the regional semifinals.

“The opening round of the region was against McMinn County, which was highly ranked and expected to beat us easily. This may have been the most exciting game and memorable match I have ever witnessed,” said Willmore. “The match ended in a 0-0 tie and advanced to two 10-minute overtime periods. Both ended in a tie. At that point, we played a five-minute, sudden-death overtime and were still tied. We advanced to a second sudden death and scored with 30 seconds remaining on a corner kick.”

Mullican and McCormick, who would be named all-state again as seniors, delivered the final blow. Mullican took the corner kick and McCormick banged it in while fighting traffic in front of the net.

It was a moment to rejoice - if the Lady Pioneers would have had any energy left.

“We had been playing for over 100 minutes straight with no goal. This team fought tooth-and-nail the whole game and for me to be able to get a corner kick in to Morgan for the gam-winning goal was magical to say the least,” said Mullican Murphree.

Looking back, Willmore still is in awe by how the Lady Pioneers summoned the energy.

“We never substituted. Eleven girls played 109-plus minutes without a break. There was an unreal will to win,” said Willmore.

To this day, Sweeton still believes it’s a top sports moment in her life.

“I am an avid sports watcher and fan. I can truly say that I don’t know if I have ever witnessed or been part of a more moving, awe-inspiring and all-around incredible sports moment,” said Sweeton. “We had just come off a crushing loss to Cookeville – it was probably the worst loss of my career. We all had an air of heavy disappointment as we traveled to McMinn County to play a game none of us hoped we would have to play – a far away game that, if we lost, would send the senior class off in a less than stellar way.

“A miracle happening on the field that night. It was a true team effort – zero subs, 109 minutes, one goal.”

Sweeton can still recall the exact moment McCormick’s shot ended the game.

“Todd and our parents ran on the field in utter elation when the ball hit the back of the net. It was enough to bring even a mild sports fan to tears. It was truly epic,” said Sweeton.

Warren County’s season ended with a 1-0 loss to Oakland in the sectionals. The Lady Pioneers finished the year 16-6, with four losses coming to state-tournament qualifiers.

Again, Willmore had to say goodbye to so many incredible players, ones who he loves to be reminded of from time to time.

“If one of their names is ever mentioned, it automatically generates a smile on my face. I love those girls,” said Willmore.

The love goes both ways.

“My relationship with Todd is special. He was an awesome coach and there was no doubt he believed in us from the beginning. He was so proud of us,” said Warden. “I am now going into the my fourth season coaching with Todd and I have learned so much from him. I’m so thankful to have this opportunity to coach with him and I hope to learn to grow to become a successful coach like him.”

Sweeton added, “Todd was an incredible coach. He had a way of unifying our team. We all respected him immensely. He would give us a good chewing-out when we needed it – and we did need it from time to time – but he also could goof off and have fun with us too. More than anything, I think Todd really knew his players. We all had such different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, but he saw those things in us and used it to the advantage of the team. I was and still am honored to have played for him.”

Mullican – a two-time, all-state selection under Willmore – was one of the few players who didn’t grow up locally, but she felt the loving embrace of her high school coach instantly.

“Todd is one of the best people I know. Not only was he a great coach, but he’s also a great mentor and a good Christian man,” said Mullican. “From the time I came to McMinnville, I have always bonded with Todd. I’m hoping to have the opportunity to help assist coach the Lady Pioneer team in the future.”

Mullican would likely be welcomed with open arms if she did come back to the soccer field, just like the rest of the members of those special teams. They may be gone, but they’ve never been forgotten.