After a fiery 5-0 start to the season, the Taylor women’s soccer team looks to continue its momentum into conference play.
The Trojan lineup continued to show its strength after beating Trinity College 2-0 and No. 18 Campbellsville 4-1. Taylor ended last season with a record of 7-6-4 and is well on their way to improving from last season’s result.
Head coach Scott Stan brought all his energy into the game against his alma mater, Trinity College.
“I enjoyed playing there, but I want to go out there and win,” he said.
When the clock clicked zero, he got his wish. Taylor won 2-0. After going 5-3-2 at home and 2-3-2 on the road in 2024, the Trojans found areas to work on in the offseason.
“We kinda knew what our roster was going to look like a year prior,” Stan said. “With the seven girls we brought on, we were pretty confident that three of them would start or contribute early. After three games, they seemed to have done that."
Through the summer, the team focused on chemistry, offensive production and defensive technique. Senior goalie and captain Brianna Rawlings said she worked on her defensive finesse. She focused on her technique and took her gameplay to another level between the posts after coming off a monster season with 73 saves, averaging four per game. So far this season, the Taylor defense has helped alleviate some of the defensive load, as Rawlings has recorded twelve saves in five games.
As a senior, she has stepped up to help shape the team chemistry and Christ-centered mentality that makes Taylor soccer special.
“I’m a captain this year, so I’ve been trying to help the freshmen with all the first games, first practices and all the firsts that come with it,” said Rawlings. “I remind them that there is no pressure because we are playing for the Lord.”
The captains on the team were very intentional about the importance of Christianity in their gameplay. Each freshman was paired with an upperclassman as a prayer partner. They also started up team Bible studies and discipleship nights.
This gives the freshmen a chance to give their God-given talents back to the Lord, said Rawlings.
“The team’s amazing. They were very welcoming and they feel like family now,” said freshman Lydia Johnson.
She spoke highly of the culture that the team has and how they all hold one another accountable. Johnson said that high school was a stark difference for Taylor. During practice as a Trojan, she is expected to give 110%. She is challenged to grow in her ability every day. That expectation wasn’t needed in the lower levels.
“I love it,” she said. “The grind is what makes me better.”
After four games played, Johnson has scored three goals. She said she couldn’t believe she had already put that many into the back of the net so early.
“I want to look back at the end of the season and see improvement in every area of my game,” Johnson said. “I can’t think of another goal to have.”
Taylor now sits just outside the Top 25, the fifth school receiving votes. Taylor will go on the road to meet St. Mary-of-the-Woods on Sept. 10 before returning home to face Cornerstone on Sept. 12
