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Morristown West enters the 2023 soccer season with new and young faces as they look to build off a Region 1-AAA Tournament appearance last season.

The region tournament appearance was a big deal for the Lady Trojans, having not made it there in six seasons. Now, West coach Emily Bryant is looking to reach that point again as she continues to build the West soccer program back up to what it has been in years past.

It won’t be easy for West as they have to replace half their roster from last season. However, Bryant said her team has been working hard in the preseason to get ready to go for the real deal.

“We have used our preseason training and games to access and adjust things that will help us succeed throughout the season,” Bryant said. “With half the team being returners and half the team being new to the program, we have gotten to use this time to adapt to the game and search for what each player’s role on the team will be. I am hopeful for a successful season.”

While there aren’t as many as in years past, Bryant will lean on her returning players to be leaders for the younger girls. Some of those leaders include junior Banesa Flores Hernandez and senior Ashlii Diaz Morales.

As for new players, the freshman class for Bryant has tons of potential. Some of those players include Dory Georges and Natalie Nelson.

“Even though we have more younger players than in the previous year, we definitely have some talent in our freshmen class,” Bryant said. “Dory Georges has already shown great potential to be a leader on this team offensively and is versatile on the field. We also have freshman Natalie Nelson who gives us great speed in our back line and has stepped up during the preseason.”

As far as the schedule goes, it will be challenging for the Lady Trojans. Non-district games include Knox Central, West Ridge, Elizabethton, South Doyle, Pigeon Forge, Austin-East, Chuckey-Doak, Gatlinburg-Pittman and Daniel Boone.

In the district, it will just be four teams once again. The Lady Trojans will face Sevier County and Morristown East at home and will travel to Jefferson County. The Lady Trojans were District 2-AAA Runner-Ups last season.

In terms of goals for this season, Bryant wants her team to focus on getting back to where they were last season: in the Region 1-AAA Tournament.

“We hadn’t done that for six years prior to last season, so that is certainly a focus for this team going into this season,” Bryant said. We just need to continue to learn and grow with every practice and game as a unit and continue to build confidence and knowledge in our younger players.”

The season kicks off for West on August 15th, traveling to take on Knox Central at 6 p.m. The Lady Trojans first home game will be on the 17th against Claiborne at 6 p.m.

“I really want the girls to buy into the culture of this team and work together and for each other,” Bryant said. “Every coach wants a team who works hard and has fun together while doing what they love. I hope we come out hungry, stay healthy and always keep our goals at the forefront of what we do so we can stay focused throughout the season.”