BGA’s Flagship Sports Team: Girls Soccer

Reflection from Coach Jan Morrissey

The girls soccer team had a monumental season in the face of unpredictability and unprecedented global circumstances. Each week of the season that they were able to play was reason enough to celebrate. Due to the cooperation, commitment, and sacrifices from each member of the team, the soccer season stayed alive. After suffering many setbacks early in the season due to injuries or occasional quarantines, the soccer team took each moment to display their resilience and unity through selfless acts of doing all that was necessary for the good of the team. Players rose to the occasion for each adverse situation. Because of the players’ determination, this program grew stronger and has become a very powerful force. Finishing the regular season as the #2 seed in District behind CPA, BGA’s road to the championship didn’t look much different than the road of 2019. They were consistent in the process of a postseason run, as they continued to build momentum with every match of the postseason, whether that was a win or a loss. 

The Wildcats earned their spot in the State Tournament as the #2 seed out of the middle region and hosted a first-round match with the West’s #4 ECS, who has traditionally spoiled BGA’s postseason run. This time the storyline was much different. BGA took home a 7-3 victory over ECS with Keaton Mitchell leading the way by scoring five goals in this match that helped her team continue their season and play in a Quarterfinal match at the East’s #1 seed, Boyd Buchanan. As they faced this unfamiliar opponent, it didn’t take BGA long to break down the Boyd defense. The Wildcats placed incredible pressure on Boyd and came away victorious again with Keaton Mitchell breaking through Boyd’s defense and scoring two goals to provide another trip to Murfreesboro for BGA. 

The semifinal matchups were identical to the 2019 season and BGA faced #1 St. George’s out of the west, just as they did the year before in one of the muckiest games of soccer played at Siegel Park. The sequel to the 2019 match was certainly fresh in the minds of the Gryphons of St. George’s and BGA was still that thorn in their side. Knowing the intensity surrounding this match, the Wildcats were mentally and physically prepared for the battle. After 80 minutes of play, BGA claimed a convincing finish as Kennedy Price found the back of the net twice and Keaton Mitchell once to win 3-1 over St. George’s. In the other semifinal match, CPA and USJ had to extend their match an extra 20 minutes to determine BGA’s State Title matchup. As that whistle blew, BGA immediately began preparing for their matchup with USJ that would take place in 24 hours. The recovery process by the Wildcats was crucial to their preparation for the State Final match. 

After suffering incredible battle wounds from St. George’s, the Wildcats showed just how resilient and mentally tough they are because none of these wounds were apparent in the final match as they placed relentless pressure on USJ from the first whistle. A determined BGA throttled the USJ defense and placed immense tension on USJ’s goalkeeper who had to make five saves in the 1st half to keep her team in the game. However, in the 31st minute, it was the assist from Sophia Donaghue to the sixth shot from BGA’s Sara Evans that would prove to be the dagger that would claim victory for the Wildcats and another program State Title. BGA went on to throttle the USJ defense with eight more shots to USJ’s one shot in the 2nd half. Graci Semptimphelter, at the helm of the defense, remained steadfast in goal to make four saves for the match and finish with a clean sheet for the victory. The 2020 State Title is the fifth for the girls soccer program. Previous State Titles were in 2000, 2007, 2014, and 2019. We’re so proud of these young ladies and the legacy they are creating for the soccer program. What a remarkable year!