What started simply as a move to a new city and a fast friendship has blossomed into a powerful bond that has helped push the East Hamilton girls' soccer program to new heights.
The Lady Hurricanes will make their first state tournament appearance tonight in a moment seniors Julia Kaset and Lauren Barcelona have waited a long time to share.
"I moved to Tennessee eight years ago, and Julia was my first friend," Barcelona said. "We've been best friends since then, and it's translated onto the field. We know each other's strengths and how to play to them."
The two have played together since fifth grade and first made the East Hamilton varsity roster as eighth-graders. Add in extra practice time on the weekends and a strong friendship off the field, and they might as well be able to read each other's minds.
"It comes naturally in the game," Kaset said. "We know where the other is going to be, where we're going to make runs. It may not always seem like the play is there, but we'll play the ball to a space and trust that each other is going get it. We combine together in different ways and depend on each other. It's really cool."
That spirit of unity has permeated throughout the East Hamilton roster, and Kaset said she and Barcelona have gotten a lot of help from teammates in making their relationship succeed on the field. Barcelona said the team is the closest it has been and the connection feels like having a group of sisters on and off the field.
Lady Hurricanes coach Carrie Hill said the two have given that positive energy right back to their teammates and provided a constant despite having to adjust to injuries throughout the season.
"They're reliable, and they have a commitment to the team and to getting better," Hill said. "This team is certainly special. Everyone is in it together. It's going to come down to fundamentals - working together as 11 on the field and doing everything as a team."
As each game becomes more meaningful than the last, tonight's quarterfinal contest at 6:30 against Lexington at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro will be another moment for Kaset to relish with her teammates.
"It's been awesome," she said. "There's been a lot of pressure since we haven't made it this far, but I love the pressure, I love the atmosphere and I love my teammates. They've gotten fired up, and it's great seeing it all develop."
Barcelona added, "I've been looking forward to this for five years."
Five other area teams are in the state tournament. McMinn Central joins East Hamilton in the Division I-AA quarterfinals and opens play tonight at 7. Signal Mountain has a Division I-A quarterfinal match today at 2 p.m.
Chattanooga Christian plays in the Division II-A semifinals Thursday night at 6:30. In Division II-AA, local rivals Girls Preparatory School and Baylor will be in separate semifinals Thursday at 7 p.m. All games will be at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.
Contact Idris Garcia at sports@timesfreepress.com