After East Hamilton moved the ball with great fluidity and patience in a 6-0 girls’ soccer win Thursday over Arts & Sciences, a lockdown senior defender received great praise from her coach.
Four-year starter Jessica Dunavant has been a force while helping the Lady Hurricanes post eight shutouts in 15 matches. That has been after defense spurred the program to the 2018 Class AA state tournament.
“Jessica is fierce on the back line,” East Hamilton coach Carrie Hill said of the center back and free-kick specialist. “She is intimidating to other players and sometimes even our own because she is so focused on what she wants to accomplish. There is no nonsense with her.
“She is willing to do whatever it takes for her teammates and will sacrifice whatever she has to. Her play is infectious, and she embodies what we strive to be as a team.”
On Thursday’s senior night Dunavant also observed a two-year anniversary of a day that brought tough news but did not break her spirit.