Season in Review: Lady Mustang Soccer

 While the season may have recently come to an end for the Lady Mustangs, the season overall was a fantastic one. The Mustangs ended the season with an 8-3-3 record and had the best start in program history with an 8-1-1 record.

The goals were plentiful this season with Sunny Richesson firing on all cylinders while leading the team with 26 goals scored . Richesson was followed by freshmen midfielders Mamie Carman and Keely O’Brien who scored 9 goals and 5 goals respectively. Along with Carman and O’Brien, freshmen Maryn Brown, Scottie Newton, and Madelyn Miller were regular contributors to the team's success despite their young age. The team was led in the back field by upperclassmen Bethany Guinness who made the move from CAM (Center attacking midfielder) to CB (Center back) in order to help the team improve. The Lady Mustangs' record start included 5 shutouts in a row with the help of goalkeeper Marta Veracruyse. Veracruyse took her game to a new level this season in goal. From her kicking power, to her ability to confidently handle the ball on opponent's shots on goal, Veracruyse's game was on point. 
The Mustang's presence was abundant on the All-Region team this season with three players having been named to the All-Region team for the first time in program history. Sunny Richesson, Mamie Carmen, and Keely O’Brien were selected by the opposing team's coaches. 
Highlights from the season include a game tying goal from Kate Bishop in the last minutes of the game against CPA. The Lions had just scored what everyone assumed to be the winner, and in less than 60 seconds, the Mustangs were able to push up the field and find the winner, courtesy of Kate Bishop. The Mustangs also recorded a record 8 shutout victories in all of their 8 wins on the season. 

The Mustangs graduate a couple of key players after this season in Clarke Williamson and Emma Weber. Both players were integral to the building of the Mustang program. It was clear that both seniors were well beloved by the entire team and were leaders both on and off the pitch. The team, program and coaches have been blessed that they chose to be a part of the Mustang program and both will be incredibly missed!

Congratulations on a great season, Mustangs! We are excited to watch the program continue to grow on and off the field. 

Go, Mustangs!

Season in Review: Mustang Volleyball

The Lady Mustangs volleyball season was full of moments of celebration this season. The Mustangs exceeded all expectations with a 20-13 record with a young core of players. The Mustangs graduate three seniors this year, all of which have played four years as varsity players. Ella Grace Thompson, Abby Smith, and Morgan Wilson were an integral part of the program since 2018, with a young core and their senior leadership, it was a season to remember for the Mustangs. 

The Mustangs pulled through in big moments to rack up some huge victories throughout the season along with some upsets and 5 set thrillers along the way. The Mustangs handed CPA a 3-1 loss late in the season showing everyone that the Mustangs were here to play. The Mustangs also had an impressive win streak with  winning 10 games in a row from Sept 11th to Sept 17th and 4 out of their last 5 matches. 

The playoff road proved to be tough for the Mustangs after knocking out Pope Prep in the first round of the Middle Region tournament. After falling to Ensworth and Harpeth Hall, the Mustangs finished 4th in the middle region andtraveedl west to Memphis to play St.Benedict of Auburndale. After a hard fought 5 set battle, the Mustangs were ultimately defeated and the season would end on the road. 

Despite the loss, the Mustangs' hard work and battle tested players were recognized by coaches from around the state. Ella Grace Thompson and Gracie Smitherman were selected to the All Region team for the D2-AA Middle Region. Freshman setter Tori Church was selected to the All Tournament Team for the Middle Region Tournament. Huge accomplishments for our Mustangs!

Senior Morgan Wilson recently received an offer to continue her academic and athletic career at Freed-Hardeman University and Ella Grace Thompson committed earlier in the season to attend Harding University for Basketball. 

Off the court, Head Coach Jake House was selected to the Lipscomb University Sports Hall of Fame and inducted into the A-SUN Athletics Hall of Fame for her time spent as a setter for the LU volleyball team. House was an award winning player while at Lipscomb, being named A-SUN Freshmen of the Year in 2007, A-SUN player of the year in 2010, and A-SUN Tournament MVP in both 2007 and 2009. Coach House was also a four year letter winner for the Bisons and has been the head coach at Lipscomb Academy since 2012. 

The Lady Mustangs will return a core of young players next season and expectations for the season are already high. We look forward to seeing where the Mustangs are headed in the future. 

We are proud of these Mustangs and their incredible season!