Coming into the new season, the women’s soccer team had to start from scratch. With a whole new team, many people thought it was a risky move, but the Lady Bobcats are proving everyone wrong.
With an 8-1 record, the Lady Bobcats are at the top of their conference. Head coach Dolores Deasley had many decisions to make when it came to how she wanted to approach this spring season. With only four sophomores on her roster, she made big sacrifices to get the team she imagined.
Alexus Hodges, number 12 on the starting lineup playing left back for the Lady Bobcats, compares this year’s team to the past year.
“Big personalities! This team has more drive, and we show commitment,” said Hodges. “There is an equal amount of talent all around the field, and we don’t have to rely on one person.”
Hodges started her freshman year as a center forward, so it was much to her surprise that she was moved to left back as a defensive position. Even though it was a blind side to her, she had experience playing there. She previously played left back at George County High School, helping the Lady Rebels all the way to the playoffs. Now she is using her talents to help her team move closer and closer to winning the South Division.
Keona Crowell, a starting freshman, plays center back for the Lady Bobcats. Not only is this her first year at the college level but this is also not what she expected when she thought about going to college. Enjoying the college experience has been a little frustrating because of the pandemic. She said although it is very hard to go out and do every day things, her teammates have helped her feel right at home.
“Being on the soccer team has helped me not only have a lot of teammates but a group of girls that shortly became my sisters for life. I honestly couldn’t imagine trying to be just a student here,” Crowell said.
Crowell attended Forrest County Agricultural High School before coming to Jones. Crowell was the star of the show at FCAHS, and she carried her team throughout her whole career when she attended.
The many talents the Lady Bobcats have on the team led them to their eight wins, but the one loss they accepted changed their outlook on their season.
“It makes us have more fuel for the next games. We don’t ever want to feel like that again. It just helps us realize that we can’t take any team for granted,” said Crowell regarding the loss against PRCC, which ended the Bobcats’ undefeated streak.
Since then, the Lady Bobcats have been on a winning streak with 6 wins in their conference. The last home game is slated for Tuesday, May 11 at 5 p.m. against Meridian Community College. The men’s soccer team, who are 7-3 overall, will play MCC at 7 p.m. the same day.
by Kendyl Terrell
