News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
After playing four games last week, going 2-0-2, head coach of the Livingston Academy girl’s soccer team, Heather Marshall said her team has found a groove ahead of its game against Franklin County August 29.
In their season opener, the Wildcats were shut out 3-0 by Mt. Juliet and in the five games since, Livingston has outscored their opponents 9-1 and have not lost. Marshall said a large portion of the team’s success comes from the time the girls spent together this summer at a soccer camp in Chattanooga and the weekend tournament they competed in last weekend in Knoxville.
“I always tell my girls that if we have chemistry in the locker room, then it’s going to show on the field,” Marshall said. “And luckily so far, you are seeing that come to fruition as we keep playing in these games.”
Last weekend’s tournament opener versus Knoxville Catholic saw the Wildcats squander early shots on goal and the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Marshall said her team’s offensive effort was lacking and she and her staff quickly made adjustments to their offense before their next game.
“That was a point of emphasis for us in the next two games of the tournament,” Marshall said. “And we were able to come away with two goals on Cleveland High School and then five on Anderson County, so we were even able to incorporate that in the games over the weekend. And looking forward to that tomorrow, hoping the trend continues.”
With the Wildcats playing in 4 games last week and eight players playing nearly every minute of last weekend’s tournament, Marshall said this week’s focus has been on recovering for Thursday night’s match-up against the undefeated, 4-0 Franklin County.
But, while her team needs some much deserved rest from intense practices and games, Marshall said she believes she has one of the best conditioned teams in the region.
“Conditioning wise, I think we’re fine, we’re a smaller squad so we kind of have to be able to go a full 80 (minutes)” Marshall said. “Just because we have a limited number of subs, but so far that hasn’t been an issue for us and I hope that continues.”
In preparation for their biggest game of the season, Marshall said Franklin County likes to take deep shot attempts and her team needs to do is play aggressive defense and stop the ball from advancing.
“If we apply quick pressure to them, that is going to serve us well,” Marshall said. “And that’s also going to help Chloe (Dial) in the goal, because if you pressure them fast and pressure them hard then they’re not going to get great shots off. So, defensively that is going to be a key point for us.”
The Livingston Academy Wildcats look to snap Franklin County’s undefeated record at home August 29 at 6 P.M.
