Clinton Lady Dragons
2024 LADY DRAGONS SOCCER: Topanga Easterday, Abby Hutchens, Trinity Barnard, Ava Bunch, Addison Haney, Sadie Haney, Dayami Gonzalez, Riley Sharp, Kaylie Merrell, Elly Le- ander, Madison Lindsay, Ayana Miller, Lindsey Rogel-Guadarrama, Eliza Templeton, Emoree White and Hannah Whitley. The Lady Dragons are coached by Suzanne Stout.
The Lady Dragons posted 10 wins, finished third in the District 4-AAA regular-season standings, and hosted a district tournament match.
The Lady Dragons went 10-4 and had a banner year on the pitch, but a lack of depth may make it difficult to duplicate last season’s success this year.
“We just have a lack of numbers; we’ve only got 14 girls out, and if we can stay healthy, we could be pretty good,” said Clinton Coach Suzanne Stout.
“It all just depends on whether we can stay healthy,” she said. “If we can, we could have a good year.”
The Lady Dragons’ low numbers will provide opportunities for some young players and new faces to make an impact on the program.
“If our newbies start growing, it could be a good year,” Stout said. “But when you have a lack of depth, it’s tough because in soccer, you can have non-contact injuries.”
Numbers may be low, but the returning players have experience with each other.
“Our biggest team strength is that a lot of the girls have played together for a couple of years, and they have chemistry,” Stout said.
“They have cohesion; my seniors and their leadership will be strong.”
Clinton has six seniors, and Elly Leander will look to add to her stellar high school career. Leander, a forward and midfielder, is one of the top goal scorers in Lady Dragons program history.
She’s joined by fellow seniors Addie Haney (midfielder), Sadie Haney (midfielder), Maddyson Lindsey (defender), Trinity Barnard (goalkeeper beginning her third year in the program), and Abby Hutchins, who can play goalkeeper and defender.
Junior defender Riley Sharp and sophomore midfielder Topanga Easterday are also back. Easterday, however, will change positions as she will move from center to outside midfielder.
Stout said she has several sophomore newcomers and one incoming freshman on this season’s roster.
Clinton opens the season against Pigeon Forge Tuesday, Aug. 19.