Having been a part of the CHHS Girls Varsity Soccer team for 2 years now has been one of the best parts of my life. Every season is a great one, but the 25-’26 season has been particularly special. Let’s get into a deeper dive into your Lady Bruin Soccer team.
Connection-wise, this program is truly amazing. Every single one of the girls gets along. The hours upon hours we spend together, whether it’s early mornings for conditioning in preseason or late nights on the bus during season, every moment is one that we’ll always remember. The locker room is always crowded and loud, but it’s also a reminder of how much we love each other.
Yes, things can get really exhausting, but it’s the best exhaustion any of us have ever felt. Now that our season is over, I think we all realized we took most of it for granted. The long day trips on the bus, or the sleepless nights in a hotel away from home sound un-ideal, of course. But if I’m honest there is nothing else I’d rather be doing and no one else I’d rather be doing it with. These girls are my best friends.
They make high school soccer something I look forward to.
And actually, this program is amazing in every aspect. Not just connections. So let’s get into some soccer.
We started our season off strong with a 3-1 win to Bardstown on Monday, Aug. 12. Home games seem to be our strong suit, because that following Wednesday, we took the loss to Sacred Heart 0-4 at their home field.
This season, we only lost 1 of 8 home games (one of those being a scrimmage). We overcame the Greenwood Gators (scrimmage), Bardstown Tigers, Green County Dragons, North Hardin Trojans, John Hardin Bulldogs, Assumption Rockets, and Woodford County Yellowjackets. The singular game we lost at our field was to the Boyle County Rebels, the final score being 2-3.
Unfortunately, we lost 5 of our 9 away games. We took down the Notre Dame Pandas, Elizabethtown Panthers, and Bullitt East Chargers.
Although our regular season had its own perks, the postseason is where we really started to stand out.
When the district tournament rolled around, John Hardin was no obstacle for us. That game ended in a mercy rule (8-0).
Moving on to district finals, we played our rival team for the second time this season, E-town. That game wasn’t easy, but we pushed through and took home the 3-2 win in the first OT. The goals were set by Carly Lang, Audrey McGee, and Sophia Swink.
After recovering from districts, we headed to the region tournament.
Our first round game was against Marion County, where we triumphed 4-1. Our goals were scored by Audrey McGee x2, Carly Lang, and Addison Maddock.
Moving on to round two, we faced the Bardstown Tigers. Though they are a great team, we were now headed to the region finals after securing the 4-1 win. Addison Maddock and Audrey McGee both scored twice in that game.
Our big night was up next. Region finals, once again playing E-town!
Admitting that it is difficult to beat a team three times in one season, that was no problem for us. We took the trophy and were on to the state after defeating the Panthers 1-0. The goal was scored by Audrey Garrett, finishing off a corner from Kyleigh Davis.
Not to mention, our Central Hardin Men’s Soccer team was also the 5th region champions, taking over Bethlehem in a close PK shootout!
The first round of state came along, and our next challenge was the South Oldham Dragons.
In a tight game, we prevailed and moved on with a 2-1 win. Our goals by Addison Maddock and Carly Lang.
This was our first time going to the Elite Eight since 2010!
We took on the Daviess County Panthers. Fighting for a spot in the Final Four, we secured it! With a 2-1 finish, Kyleigh Davis and Mallory Priddy bagged our place in the next round.
Last night, Oct. 29, was unfortunately the last game of our season. It took a PK shootout to beat us. The final score was 1-2, Highlands.
But, there is not much to hang our heads over! We were state semi-finalists for the first time in Central Hardin Girls Soccer history!
We are a history-making team!!!
I am so proud of how far we have come because this is not an easy accomplishment. I can’t wait for the ‘26-’27 season. I know we will do even bigger things.
We will miss our seniors, Sophia Haycraft, Ava McGee, and Jordyn Rowlett, so much.
I’d do everything all over again in a heartbeat just to spend more time with my best friends. We are not just a team, we are a family.
Go, Bruins, always.
