Solid preseason for Lady Pioneers
Emory MacDonald, left, has been a force in preseason games for WCHS, scoring three goals.
The biggest question facing the Warren County Lady Pioneers entering the preseason was where the goals would come from. Through four completed preseason matches, the answer has been just about everywhere.
Warren County went 3-0-1 in its preseason tuneups, scoring nine goals with six different players finding the back of the net. Just as encouraging for coach Todd Willmore was the work on the other end of the field, where the Lady Pioneers surrendered only two goals while repeatedly shutting down opponents in transition.
"Overall, I have been very encouraged by what I have seen from the girls during the preseason," said Willmore. "They have worked hard, competed well and continued to show improvement. There are certainly things we will continue to work on, but I really like the direction we are headed."
That direction now leads toward the regular season. Warren County will open at home Tuesday, Aug. 18 against Ooltewah before traveling to Riverdale two days later.
The Lady Pioneers entered the preseason needing to find a new offensive formula after senior Chloe Wanamaker was lost for the season following two knee procedures stemming from an injury suffered during flag football in the spring. Warren County hasn't needed one player to shoulder the entire scoring load so far.
Junior Emory MacDonald emerged as the most consistent finisher during the preseason, scoring three goals. Noelle Bratcher scored twice and added an assist, while Izzy Rodriguez, Addison Steakley, Ashlyn Bailey and Giselle Escamilla also found the net.
Warren County's first test came at Cookeville, where severe weather forced the teams to wait out a lengthy delay before moving from a flooded soccer field to the turf football field. Once play started, Bratcher put Warren County ahead with a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box and MacDonald later chipped the keeper as the Lady Pioneers earned a 2-1 victory.
The Lady Pioneers carried that momentum into the Fairview High School PlayDay, opening with a 2-0 victory over John Lawson behind goals from Rodriguez and MacDonald. Warren County then battled a talented Rossview squad to a 1-1 draw, with Steakley providing the Lady Pioneer goal. A third match was eventually canceled after repeated weather delays.
Warren County finished its preseason work Thursday with another weather-shortened match, but there was plenty of time for the Lady Pioneers to make an impression. Bailey, MacDonald, Escamilla and Bratcher each scored in a 4-0 victory over Cumberland County.
And while they haven’t found the net yet, Warren County has also gotten valuable contributions from Izzy Rodriguez, Marylou Margeson, and Anna Templeton.
While the balanced scoring has been encouraging, Warren County's defense may have made the strongest statement of the preseason.
The back line of senior Maci McBride, sophomore Addisyn Watson, junior Summer Wanamaker and freshman Kacey Mitchell received extensive work together, while freshman Kinsley Simpson also delivered several saves in goal during the preseason. The Lady Pioneers consistently limited transition opportunities and made opponents work to generate quality chances.
The preseason also gave Willmore opportunities to experiment with a deep roster. Warren County carries nine seniors, but there are also several freshmen and sophomores already pushing for significant roles.
"It was also a great opportunity for us to play a significant number of girls and give them experience in different roles," said Willmore. "I was very pleased with the way everyone stepped in and contributed."
Now the experimenting gives way to matches that count.
"Our goal is to build on this preseason success and hit the ground running as we open the regular season next week," said Willmore.
That first opportunity comes Tuesday when Ooltewah visits Warren County for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
