It began with three girls. Maddie Mullis of Cleveland, Maddie LeBlanc of Clarkesville, and Keygan Antosiak of Clayton, from the 2017 Tallulah Falls Middle School co-ed soccer team who agreed to build a team. But, a team required at least eleven players; more for building a program. And, who was this proposed team going to compete against?
To determine interest, a spring training began in April/May 2018; it was an afterschool, one-day-a-week offering for any girls at TFMS grades 5-7 who wanted to play soccer. During the course of three weeks, twenty to twenty-five girls participated. Check. Now, about scheduling-who would agree to play them?
Building a schedule
Many calls and emails were sent out to schools in the Georgia mountain area, but there was one strike against them-many schools were already in a league, and most had both a boys and girls team. Then, a breakthrough occurred when their Tri-State sister schools, Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, Summit Charter School, and Swain County Middle School of Bryson City decided to join in the endeavor. Another local school, White County Middle School, also agreed, so the schedule was slowly but surely being populated.
But, what about the future?
Tallulah Falls School is a member of Georgia High School Association’s Region 8A as well as the Georgia Independent School Association, so competing against schools in those two regions would be valuable to determine the team’s viability down the road. Prince Avenue Christian School, Athens Academy, Lakeview Academy, and Commerce Middle School replied, “Let’s play!” Check. The TFMS Lady Indians soccer team and the schedule were set with twenty-one girls and thirteen matches.
Building confidence
Like baseball and track, the initial portion of the soccer season experiences some of the worst weather during the late winter months of the year. Consequently, the first two matches of the inaugural season were cancelled due to unplayable conditions. Then, on March 5th, the Lady Indians traveled to Prince Avenue Christian School in Athens for the first match. Not knowing what to expect, the team played it close conceding an on-goal, 0-1. The next match against Tri-State rival, Summit Charter, ended the same, 0-1. The girls had played very competitively against both teams tallying many shots on goal, but none seemed to find the net.
Finally, during their third match against Lakeview Academy at home, the goal that they had been waiting for occurred. Forward, Keygan Antosiak, scored minutes into the first half, and the team received the much-needed confirmation for all of the days, weeks, and months of optional training.
Building community
Throughout the season, the Lady Indians have taken the pitch with comparable teams, some which they defeated, and with those who were significantly superior providing the girls with humility. Gracefully, they have consistently showed enthusiasm during training and camaraderie around the school and on outings.
Regarding outings, the Lady Indians have frequented both Clayton’s Dairy Queen and Clarkesville’s Your Pie for sweet treats, but the most memorable one was when they offered service at Circle of Hope thrift store in Clarkesville. Circle of Hope provides myriad resources for women and children in difficult situations, and the Lady Indians served them by spending an hour cleaning and organizing the store.
Building a team
On Wednesday, April 24th at 4:00 at the Tallulah Falls Upper School soccer field, those original three girls and their Lady Indian teammates will host Rabun Gap Nacoochee School for their final match of this inaugural season. Concluding their previous match tied, 2-2, both teams will be searching for another win, so it is guaranteed to be a hotly-contested event.
Family, friends, and community members are welcome to attend; the Tallulah Falls Middle School girls soccer team thanks you for your participation in advance.
Travis Mullis is head coach of the Tallulah Falls Middle School girls soccer team.
