Willmore sets 2026 girls soccer roster
Todd Willmore spent Friday watching something every coach hopes to see in May: Confidence.
It wasn't just from the veterans who helped steady the Lady Pioneers during his first season back on the sidelines, but from younger players who looked far more comfortable stepping into bigger roles during tryouts for the 2026 season.
“It was nice to watch the kids improve during the season, but now you get to see them and see the improvements they’ve made by doing work on their own,” said Willmore. “I'm excited about the numbers we had.”
The turnout backed that up. More than a dozen new faces mixed into a roster already packed with returning experience as Warren County officially began preparations for Year 2 under the veteran coach who previously won 150 games leading the program.
Last season felt like the beginning of a reset for the Lady Pioneers. Warren County battled through inconsistency early before catching fire late, closing the regular season on a five-game unbeaten streak that included a signature upset over previously unbeaten Soddy Daisy. Wins over Riverdale, Cumberland County and Coffee County also showed flashes of the type of team the Lady Pioneers believe they can become.
Now much of that group is back.
The senior class includes Dayana Esparza, Liyah Johnson, Mayliah Manier, Mary Lou Margeson, Maci McBride, Lily Moore, Zoey Snider, Addison Steakley and Chloe Wanamaker.
Steakley returns as one of the team’s most experienced players after previously earning all-district honors as a sophomore, while McBride - all-district in 2025 - is another veteran piece who continued regaining form last season after missing time earlier in her career because of an ACL injury.
Wanamaker, last year’s leading scorer with 12 goals, remains on the roster but is not expected to play this season after suffering a knee injury during flag football season this spring.
The junior class features Kelly Basilio-Hernandez, Noelle Bratcher, Myka Garibaldi, Breezy Hernandez, Ella Kesey, Marisol King, Emory MacDonald and Summer Wanamaker.
Bratcher became one of Warren County’s most dangerous attacking players a season ago, finishing with nine goals and seven assists while creating scoring chances throughout district play.
Sophomores on this year’s roster are Ashlyn Bailey, Jaidyn Davis, Hailey Estle, Ruth Jackson, Gabbi Molloy, Izzy Rodriguez, Addisyn Watson and Briar Williams.
Many of those players were part of successful Warren County Middle School teams Willmore coached before returning to the high school sidelines, giving the Lady Pioneers added familiarity throughout the roster.
The freshman class includes Gisell Escamilla Contreas, Audry Jimenez, Kayleigh McCool, Kacey Mitchell, Kinsley Simpson, Rosario Soto and Anna Templeton.
