Frazier keeps Lady Wildcats close
The 2026 high school girls soccer season is two weeks old, and while Oak Ridge is still searching for its first victory, the Lady Wildcats have proven difficult to put away.
Oak Ridge (0-2-3) played twice last week, opening with a 2-1 loss to Knoxville West at Bill Wilson Field before battling Knoxville Catholic to a 1-1 draw Thursday at home.
During the opening week, the Lady Wildcats played Rhea County and Walker Valley to scoreless draws, and fell 4-0 to defending Class AAA state champion Bearden.
But Oak Ridge Coach Trenna Underwood isn’t hitting the panic button.
“We’re still looking for our first win,” Underwood said. “But I know the wins will come.”
Senior goalkeeper Marleigh Frazier, an all-state standout, has taken center stage early this season. She has recorded three shutouts and helped keep the Lady Wildcats within striking distance while a young attack develops.
“We have three ties already this season, and that’s kind of different for us,” Underwood said. “I knew we would probably have a lot of ties because we have Marleigh in goal, and she’s doing a great job.
“She’s a leader, and she’s directing and doing things from the back. We have complete confidence in Marleigh.”
Madeline Wilburn provided Oak Ridge’s offense last week,.
“We have two goals this year, and Madeline has both of them,” Underwood said. “She’s been our scorer.
“We have all new forwards up there. I was really pleased with our result against West. Honestly, that was a game that I didn’t expect to win. They have a good team, and they have Charleigh Freeman, and we knew that she was going to be a problem for us. She had both of their goals.”