The Fannin County High School Lady Rebels soccer team wrapped up their 16-2 season Monday April 25 at their home field with an 8-0 to Pace Academy in the third round of 2AA State Playoffs,.
The team combined for 30 defensive steals against Pace Academy. Hannah McSwain and Hannah Sosebee earned five each. Taylor Poland had 4. Madison Ponton, Kinsley Sullivan and Cali Tuggle each pocketed three steals. Stephanie Kirk and Caroline Young both had two steals. Annabel Lillard, Sadie Thomas and Aaliyah Green each had one.
Goalkeeper Rachael Jessen had 11 saves and seven blocked shots.
Head Coach Nancy Jessen said, “I am very proud of this team. This is the first Lady Rebels soccer team to make it to the Elite Eight in playoffs. The hard work and efforts of this team has raised the bar for all things Lady Rebel soccer.”
She continued with, “There will be big shoes to fill with seven out of 11 starters graduating. Growth is the key word for next year.”
The seven seniors recapped this past season by saying it was “bittersweet, but the best one yet.”
Sullivan said, “We set goals at the beginning of the season as a team, and we were determined to accomplish everything we wanted, and we did.”
Seniors gave advice to upcoming players. Green said her advice would be to “take care of this family that you create by playing the sport you love because you never known when it will be your last.”
Sullivan seconded the statement. She and Mazie Goble agreed saying, “Never take anything for granted. Enjoy every practice, workout and game.”
Rachael Jessen said, “positivity is key for success in everything,” and also “go to conditioning!”
Lillard advised everyone to “Enjoy it; it goes by quicker than you think.”
Poland added that upcoming players can’t “let failure bring them down and never be satisifed. Sometimes you have to fail to succeed and after sucess, keep working. Constantly improving.”