The 2001 South Oldham Lady Dragons "upset" Lexington Catholic at Rawlings Stadium on the campus of Georgetown College to win their fourth consecutive Kentucky High School Girls Soccer State Championship, and an unprecedented six out of the last seven titles. Yes, I said, "upset"! Lexington Catholic was ranked #2, having already beaten top ranked Henry Clay to advance in the tournament and had beaten South 3-2 in the regular season. South Oldham had lost as many games this year (3) as they had in the last three years. SOHS had lost five seniors to graduation, among them, leading scorer Kristal Menard and record setting goalie Laurie Franklin. But as the clock ticked to 0:00 in regulation, the scoreboard told a familiar story: South Oldham(2) over Lexington Catholic(1). Another State Title! A 4-PEAT!
The Dragons struck just 35 seconds into the match when Lauren Wilson sent a cross from the right side into the box which was picked up by sister Jennifer Wilson who tapped the ball left to Jennifer Sibert, who slapped it into the left side of the goal for an early 1-0 lead. But Catholic would come right back just 3 minutes later to tie it up with a kick that rebounded off Lindsay Hagan and out to a Catholic player who fired a shot that glanced off the post and in behind Simpson. Then with about 23 minutes still left in the first half, Sibert curved a corner kick that found it's way into the goal between the goalie and right post which would eventually prove to be the final and winning goal of the game. South Oldham came out hustling in the first half, repeatedly stepping up and winning balls and forcing the offense. My "game notes" made mention of great midfield plays by Beth Morris, Katie Moore and Claire Workinger in the first half.
The Dragons started the second half earning a corner by Stephanie Hay in the first minute and a free-kick by Sibert at 38:15. But momentum started to swing in the Lady Knight's direction and after twenty minutes in, it was obvious that the outcome of this game would be decided on the South Oldham side of the field. There were no real offensive highlights for SOHS in the second half. Check out the notes I made for the website:
So how is it that this most unlikely of South Oldham soccer teams extended the run of State Titles??
Was it Anna Simpson, who sacrificed her fullback position to get in goal for the Dragons after not having played the position since her sophomore year, and leading the team to a "pending" state record 11 consecutive shutouts and 14 wins in a row?
Was it the coming together of Lindsay Hagan, Amanda Nivens, Katie Moore, and Michelle Huber; the defenders who seemed to "gel" after the Kentucky Cup and shut down the opposition time after time?
Was it the emergence of Beth Morris and Claire Workinger who seemed to be at their best when it counted most in the post season?
Was it the athleticism, versatility, and attitude of Emily Cobb who is an "all-star" at any position she's asked to play?
Was it the courage and demeanor of Emily DeYoung, who never gets flustered and always gives a consistent performance every time out?
Was it Jennifer Sibert, who answered the call to add much needed scoring to her game and yet maintain the corner kicks and assists for which she has become known?
Was it Jennifer and Lauren Wilson, the twin-turbo engine that fuels the Lady Dragon machine? Two players so individually talented but who's collective effort is contagious and who "find a way to win" when it looks the most improbable?
Was it the gritty performance of Stephanie Hay who honed her offensive skills as a dual roster player last year to become an integral part of this year's "team offense" with 13 goals and 5 assists, and who's limitless hustle and effort will be counted on to fuel the 2002 Lady Dragon machine?
Was it the much-needed contribution to the offense of Missy Rabold, Andrea Schott, and Ally Tucker who were increasingly called upon to perform as the season progressed?
Was it the peace of mind and confidence the team has in their bench knowing that Lindsay Anna, Shana Bertetto, Adrien Clodfelter, Megan Davis, Lindsay Lee, Libbey Oliver, Tyler Skelton, and Stephanie Whonsettler can step up and take over when called upon throughout the year, having proven themselves on the field when given the opportunity?
Maybe it was all of the above - the collective efforts of "the team" that led to the 2001 State Championship.
Maybe, but I think it's more than that! I think you have to add to all of the above, the South Oldham Lady Dragon "tradition". I mentioned the graduation last year of five seniors and two of the most talented players ever to wear Dragon jerseys above, but they didn't really leave us. Last night at the game I saw Kristal Menard and her parents Johnny & Neva; Carol and Mike Franklin; Ralph Byrd; Amanda Butler and father Brett; Leah Bryan and her parents Dave & Darlene; Megan Raque; Amy Grubbs; Randy and Carolyn Gibson; the Wilde's; the father of Kristen Schultz; Nikkie Armento and her mother Henry; Emily Seebert; and I'm sure there were other alumni and parents in attendance that I must have missed. And for every former player and parent that couldn't attend, you just "feel" they were cheering for the Dragons from afar. They've never left the program! They continue to support what they have built and how fortunate are those current players and families to have been given such a legacy to build upon and such a supportive organization to be a part of. Maybe that was the difference this year?
Maybe, but I think it's more than that! I think you have to recognize the one constant throughout the string
of championship seasons. The one constant that remains as players and parents come and move on and that is the coaching staff. I believe the announcer at Rawlings stadium last night stated that there were over 3500 coaches (oops, I mean fans) in attendance last night.. Well, at least we "think" we are sometimes, but we all know in reality that the only coaches that matter, are Coach Cy Tucker and Pete Canuel and their support staff. And while he may not be a coach, everyone recognizes the intangible goodwill that "Super Fan Tony" brings to the family that is South Oldham Lady Dragon Soccer. I can only speak for my daughter when it comes to coaches throughout her career, but I know she has been blessed with not only quality coaches, but coaches who are quality people as well, and there is no doubt that I consider Coach Tucker, Coach Canuel, and their support staff among the finest influences my favorite player could have had the good fortune to play for. Coach Tucker's record speaks for itself and the recognition he has received from his peers and soccer organizations support the fact that he is a "winner" when it comes to girl's high school soccer. But I have a feeling he is more proud of the evidence that his players leave as better people, having played under him, and go on to be admirable representatives of South Oldham Lady Dragon Soccer and will continue to carry on the tradition for which he has been the architect….
