Girls Soccer Preview- Boyd Looks for Repeat

Girls Soccer Preview

Boyd Looks for Repeat

JAMES COLLIER

FOR THE ASHLAND BEACON

In one sudden unfortunate event, the complexity of the 16^th Region changed in a moment’s notice.

An injury to one of the top players in the state in Kenleigh Woods took Ashland from favorite to back to the field, leaving the Kittens searching for answers and their competition eager to take advantage of the opportunity. Woods had scored 17 goals and had six assists in only six games but her absence from the pitch gave the region a much different look. Boyd County rose to the forefront with their first ever regional title and is eager to defend their title.

ASHLAND

Coach: John Cook (7th)

2024 Record: 5-11-1

Where Season Ended: 2-1 loss to Fleming, 16^th Region semifinals

Departing Seniors: Mary Bolen, Kennedy Bradley, Kylee Fields, Madison Knuckles, Caylee Tackett, Calista Williams, Kenleigh Woods

One moment in time completely changed everything for not only Ashland, but the 16^th Region as a whole. Kenleigh Woods was putting on a clinic against West Carter, scoring five of the Kittens six goals in the win until a horrific injury sidelined one of the top scorers in the state for the remainder of the year, leaving Ashland searching for an answer.

After starting the season 4-1-1, the Kittens would tally only one win over their final 11 contests while scoring a total of eight goals the rest of the way. Meisha Salisbury carried the offensive torch for the Kittens with 12 goals on the year and returns as the primary weapon in 2025. Leah Payne and Mary Bolen each had five goals and Kylee Fields led the team in assists with five. Mallorie Caudill worked in the net in all but one contest while allowing just over two goals a game while registering over eight saves per outing. She also had four shutouts.

Ashland will be the road warriors for much of the first month in the season. The Kittens go to Martin County on Aug. 14 and Powell County on the 16^th. They visit East Carter on Aug. 21 and welcome Pikeville for their home opener on Aug. 30. Ashland welcomes Boyd on Sept. 11 and visits Russell on the 18^th.

BOYD COUNTY

Coach: Olivia Pennington (5th)

2024 Record: 19-3-1

Where Season Ended: 1-0 loss to North Laurel, State Tournament Quarterfinals

Departing Seniors: Lexi Boyd, Audrey Clark, Addison Miller, Bella Opell, Lexi Ramey, Sophia Stevens

The 16^th Region was there for the taking and Boyd County took full advantage with a 2-1 win over East Carter in the regional title game for their first ever region crown. Boyd went on the win, 1-0 over Estill County in the opening round of the state tournament but would fall, 1-0 to North Laurel in the quarterfinals. In the end, Boyd rolled off 19 wins and fell only three times in a storied season in Cannonsburg.

Olivia Pennington featured a defensive backline that was near impossible to penetrate allowing goalkeeper Sophia Stevens to pitch 16 shutouts in her 22 games played which was top in the state. She gave up only 0.3 goals a game and averaged four saves a game. But the Lions were just a stout up front as they were on the defensive side. Faith Burnside and Aubree Moore were as good as a 1-2 combo that was available anywhere in the state. Burnside was tied for ninth in the state with 44 goals and Moore was 11^th in assists with 20. Both the duo also assisted each other with Moore netting 12 goals and Burnside kicking in six assists. 

Boyd showed it could win in a multitude of ways last season, especially in the second half of the season. Leading up to their state quarterfinal matchup, the Lions had 12 wins in 13 contests with a lone scoreless tie coming to Prestonsburg to disrupt a baker’s dozen in wins. In that stretch, the Lions allowed only four goals while leaving their competition in the dust.

Boyd starts the season on the road with a visit to Belfry on Aug. 11 followed by a trip to Woodford County on the 16^th against Bluegrass United. The Lions home opener comes on the 19^th in a visit from Fleming County. Boyd heads to East Carter on Set. 6^th and Ashland on the 11^th. The Lions close out the regular season with visits from Russell on the 25^th and Cabell Midland on the 30^th.

GREENUP COUNTY

Coach: Brooklyn Lott (5th)

2024 Record: 3-16

Where Season Ended: 8-0 loss to East Carter, Opening Round Districts

Departing Seniors: Haley Hall, Reese Martin, Faith Mayse, Lauren Sammons, Lillie Sargent, Faryn Scaggs

2024 was a tough offensive season for Greenup County after the Musketeers mustered only 13 goals all season. After falling in their first five contests, Greenup rolled off a pair of wins over Ironton and Bath County. But the Musketeers found the winner’s column only once more in 12 meetings with a 7-0 win over Paintsville. 

The Musketeers graduated six seniors in 2024 but return their two leading scorers in Hannah Frasure and Brianna Vansickle. Frasure had four goals and two assists and Vansickle tallied a pair of goals. Haley Hall added two assists. Cora Hamilton worked in goal while allowing 3.5 goals a game and just under nine saves.

Greenup starts the season on the road with a trip to Bath County on Aug. 12 and Rowan on the 14^th. Greenup’s home opener comes on the 19^th in a visit from South Point. Greenup welcomes West Carter on Sept. 4 and visits East Carter on the 16^th. They close the regular season on the 30^th with Ironton.

RUSSELL

Coach: John Perry (10^th)

2024 Record: 8-7-1

Where Season Ended: 1-0 loss to Ashland, Opening Round of Districts

Departing Seniors: None

Veteran coach John Perry has to like what he returns for the 2025 season and his 10^th year at the helm of Russell. Perry graduated no seniors from last season’s 8-7-1 finish, leaving plenty of experience to return to the pitch. Russell was rolling headed into the final two weeks of the regular season after rolling off five consecutive wins, but their first four contests ended in three losses and a tie as their season halted in a 1-0 loss to Ashland in the opening round of districts 

Offensively, Russell has weapons that can score from anywhere on the field. Emma Stamper paced the Devils last season with 19 goals while adding seven assists. Ava Barker netted nine and assisted on eight. Alyssa Truett had eight goals. Sophia Bagby netted four and led the team in assists with nine. Chloe Ferguson, Addison Conley and Amalie Carroll also joined the offensive production. Gabrielle Williams worked in goal with four shutouts, averaged giving up only two goals a game and had 10.1 saves.

Russell opens the season at Woodford County on Aug. 11 followed by East Jessamine on the 12^th. Russell’s home opener comes on the 14^th in a visit from Menifee County. Russell entertains East Carter on the 26^th, Ashland on Sept. 18^th and visits Boyd on the 25^th.