An elite forward in his own right, Soddy-Daisy soccer coach Moises Drumond knows what it takes to play the position. And he has a pair of forwards, sophomore Summer Lanter and junior Hannah Wyatt, who are considered two of the best in the area.
For the Lady Trojans (21-0-2) to advance in the Class AAA state tournament, they must stop another sensational offensive player.
Soddy-Daisy will face Germantown Houston in the first round of the tourney at 2 this afternoon at Baylor. Houston features junior striker Olivia Harrison, an All-American selection last season.
“It’s going to be difficult,” Drumond said. “Good players find ways to get to the ball, so we’re going to have to limit times she can get the ball at her feet and make her receive the ball in the air.”
Wyatt and Lanter have combined for 48 goals and 32 assists this season, with Lanter’s 27 goals ranking second in the area and Wyatt’s 20 assists first.
Four area teams advanced to the state tournament: Soddy-Daisy in Class AAA, McMinn Central and Notre Dame in Class A/AA and Baylor in Division II-AA.
Baylor (15-0-2) doesn’t play until Thursday, when it faces Battle Ground Academy (9-9) at GPS at 7. The Lady Red Raiders, who defeated BGA 1-0 when they played in the regular season, will be trying for their seventh state championship.
Baylor junior Chloe Brackett said she relishes the role of the hunted.
“It’s good to be the team that everybody wants out every year,” she said.
Senior Alex Cannon will be playing in her fourth state tournament but still seeks her first title.
“We’re just going to have to continue to defend well, win every ball and do what we need to do right,” Cannon said.
McMinn Central (11-5-2) is in the state tournament for the first time and got a tough draw, slotted against four-time defending state champion Christian Academy of Knoxville at 2 p.m. today at Chattanooga Christian School.
Notre Dame (9-7-3) will get a chance to avenge one of its 2010 losses when it faces Christ Presbyterian Academy at 7 at CCS. The Lady Irish fell 2-1 earlier in the season, but coach Jim Schermerhorn is confident about how his team is playing headed into the tournament.
“We’re playing well, and I like the fact that we’re playing well right now,” he said. “I just hope the best is coming.”
Extra kicks
There are 16 teams back in Chattanooga from last year, including all four 2009 state champions (Houston, CAK, St. Agnes and St. George’s). … All finals will take place at GPS, both Division II games Friday afternoon and the Division I championships Saturday. … St. George’s Mary Patterson, who scored in last season’s Division II-A final, is back for another go at a title, but her twin Margaret won’t play because of injury.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6311. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/gh3sports.