Soccer season is well underway, and all eyes are focused on Parkview’s girls soccer team in Class 5A. Parkview entered the season as the defending state champions for the second consecutive year, No. 1 in the state and No. 1 team in the nation. Last season, the Panthers also went undefeated for the first time in school history. Needless to say, this year is no different; the pressure is on for Parkview’s girls soccer team.
Even after losing nine seniors from last year’s squad, the Panthers’ roster is jam-packed with talented players. One of the key returners for Parkview is junior forward Kim Spence, who has already committed to Auburn. Alongside Spence is senior defender/midfielder Caroline Kilday, sophomore defender Cherrelle Jarret, and junior defender/midfielder Kansas Bayly. Another player to watch is senior forward Taylor Jackson, who is returning from an ACL injury that kept her from playing most of last season. Despite last year’s injury, Jackson secured a Division-I soccer scholarship as well.
Head coach Judson Hamby commented, “We expect big things from Stint this year, and we’re definitely looking forward to having Jackson back. As for Kilday, Jarret and Bayly, they just don’t get the credit they deserve, and they do so much for the team. Those three are the reason why we’re winning close games.”
The Panthers are already off to a great start this season as they head into area play undefeated. During the Longhorn Invitational, Parkview shut out Newnan, 2-0, and knocked off the fifth-ranked overall team in the state, North Gwinnett, 2-1. The Panthers continued to show their dominance in the ProsSys Tournament, shutting out all their opponents. Parkview defeated Collins Hill, 3-0, and then picked off the No. 10-ranked team in the state, Walton, 1-0. The Panthers were scheduled to face off against Harrison, ranked third in the state and second in Class 5A, last Friday, but the match was cancelled due to the weather.
STAYING ON TOP
During preseason play, the Panthers have been plagued by injuries, resulting in losing one player for the year but Hamby and the players are not worried about it affecting their play.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries, but we’re really starting to come together as a team,” Kilday said. “I have faith in my team that we can overcome these injuries and do well this season.”
Although the road is long and hard, the Panthers are no strangers to pressure. Girls soccer at Parkviewis intense: the Panthers have racked up a total of six state championship titles, two of those being back-to-back in 2007 and 2008.
Senior Emily Fitzgerald adds, “We have a great tradition, and we definitely want to live up to the legacy we have here at Parkview, which is why we strive for success on the field and in the classroom. Bottom line, our goal is to succeed.”
The Parkview girls soccer team so far has done just that: succeed. The Panthers have talent, discipline and desire, all the ingredients needed to keep them at the top. Watch out for this powerhouse of a team this year, and do not be surprised if you see them in the state championship game for the third consecutive season.
Parker can be reached at jparker@scoreatl.com.
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