Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Kyra Dixon (4) passes the ball downfield in a game against Hoover at Hoover High School on Feb. 26.
The Hewitt-Trussville High School girls soccer team is focused on the small steps of continuous growth.
In Lauren Wooten’s first year as head coach last spring, the Lady Huskies went 8-2 in the shortened campaign. Despite not being able to see the season through to the end, the Lady Huskies left with plenty of positive momentum.
They have been aiming to keep that going this year. Hewitt-Trussville has navigated a stout schedule to begin the season and has put itself in position to make a run down the stretch.
“The beginning of the season has been a learning curve for us, figuring out positions, where people fit the best and how to work best as a team,” Wooten said. “Each game, we’ve worked to improve what we can.”
Hewitt-Trussville started things off with ties against Thompson and Mountain Brook, before winning two out of three at the Lakeshore Shootout. A tough 1-0 loss to Oak Mountain preceded a 2-2 tie with Hoover.
Every game is a chance to get better, even the ones that don’t turn out with the desired result. Even in the loss against Oak Mountain, there were plenty of positives and things to be improved upon.
Hewitt has six seniors this year, with Dajeh Cope, Audrey Campbell, Kyra Dixon, Brooklyn Johnson, Kaylee Rivas and Anna Russell leading the way for the team. Those players agree that camaraderie is one of the team’s strengths.
“It’s very noticeable on the field, when we are all doing our jobs in our positions and working together and connecting,” said Campbell, an outside back.
Each player brings something different to the table, and that is something Wooten embraces.
“We’ve got 16 completely different players with unique skills and leadership traits,” she said. “When they come together, they really bring something good, and it’s fun to watch. The fact that they thrive with their individual skills and leadership is what is really special about this group.”
Hewitt-Trussville’s girls have not made the playoffs since the formation of Class 7A in 2014. The Lady Huskies compete in an area with Vestavia Hills, Spain Park and Gadsden City, with the top two of those teams advancing to the postseason.
In order to get there, that requires a daily commitment to doing the things required to get better.
“They’re coming to practice every day and working and believing in their teammates more and more,” Wooten said. “Buying into that allows us to improve every day.
Johnson, a center back, said part of that process is having each of the Lady Huskies committed to picking each other up on and off the field and through the wins and losses.
The progress is evident, as the Lady Huskies notched thrilling 3-2 double-overtime win over Spain Park on March 4. Eighth grader Jocelyn Davis tied the game at 1-1 in the first half and Julia Farris scored on a penalty kick to give Hewitt a 2-1 edge.
After Spain Park tied the game late in regulation, Farris scored the game-winner off an assist from Rivas.
Wooten commended the past players and coaches for laying the foundation and for their continuous support. She is hopeful they can take pride in any successes this year’s team is able to achieve.
“It would not only be awesome for our girls to win and be successful, but it would mean a lot to the whole community to see, because they’ve put in so much work to be where they are now,” she said.
