Lady Arrow soccer team hopes to get back to championship game

By Danny C. Davis

Photo courtesy Alvin Coleman

     After winning the 2022-23 state championship, the Clinton Lady Arrows soccer team hopes to make it back to the championship again this year. Head coach Elliot Rimmer feels he has the players to get back.

     Clinton had a good run in 2023-24 but lost in the state championship.

     “We started the season well last year without losing a game until after Christmas,” said Rimmer. “There were a few stumbles after that, but they were well within the norm for us; and we adjusted and tweaked a few things in order to ensure we were ready for the all-important playoff run.”

     “Winning the North State final and making an appearance in the state championship was an accomplishment, but we do feel unsatisfied with losing that game. Our girls are ready to make another run this year.”

     Normally, that would be a challenge, after losing eight players who all started last season.

     “We had six of the eight sign to play college soccer,” said Rimmer. “We graduated one of the most successful classes in Lady Arrow soccer history at Clinton. There will obviously be a challenge getting those who are stepping in up to speed. But we trust our young players, and we know they are ready to write their own stories.”

     The good news is that Clinton has several players returning that could be the best in their positon state-wide in Class 7A.

     One of those is junior Kayla Jones, who scored 35 goals over the past two seasons. Also, junior Ruby Acy should be a key to attacking success, and senior Kate Crisler has been a starter at midfielder since the eighth grade.

     According to Rimmer, senior Mandy Leach is one of the most athletic players in the state and will anchor the back line that will be full of new players. Those include freshman Cate Thompson and sophomore Taylor Robinson.

     One position that Rimmer is very confident about is in the goal at goal keeper.

     “Sophomore Ellyn Burchfield has patiently waited for her turn in the net and is already known around the state as the top goal keeper,” said Rimmer.

     A major loss for the Lady Arrows is senior Isabella Jones to an ACL injury that will cause her to miss her entire senior season.

     “Losing Isabella is a major pre-season hit for us,” said Rimmer. “Isabella scored goals in the previous two state championship games and will be sorely missed on the field. We expect her to take a different role this year, as a leader off the field and on the sidelines.”

     Rimmer is counting on several newcomers to step in and contribute immediately. Eighth grader Ja’Milah Williams played significant minutes in the state championship last year as a seventh grader and is expected to make major strides this year. Other young players expected to make contributions this year are eighth graders Alex Holmes and Emily Fortenberry, and sophomore Elise Thomas.

     “We feel this can be a very successful season for us,” said Rimmer. “We have preached to the girls that this is a new season and a new team, with new opportunities ahead of us. Knowing our identify and becoming a group that is focused on pulling in the same direction will allow us to become more than many expect us to be. I really think we will surprise a lot of people this year with how we will play and the results we may accomplish, as long as we keep the focus on us and nothing external.”

     The Lady Arrows were set to open the season at home on October 26, hosting Newton County, followed by Oxford on November 2.  CHS traveled to Ridgeland on November 4 and will travel to Brandon on November 9.