Soccer
Varsity Boys Soccer 2008
The boys soccer team is advanced to the state tournament after beating Haywood in the sectionals, 5-0. The team finished their season as semi-finalists in the state play-offs.
The team won the region title game 2-0 against North Side. Players selected to the All Region 7 team were Christian Kurth, Scott Metcalf, Thomas McKnight, and Danny Smigielski. Christian was the MVP. The team defeated North Side 1-0 to win the District Championship game. Players selected to the All-District team were Christian Kurth, Kei Kato, and Scott Metcalf. Scott was MVP. The following players made the All Tournament team: Tyler Jones, Thomas McKnight, Christian Kurth, and Scott Metcalf. Christian was MVP.
Members of the Spring 2008 boys soccer team were…
Seniors: Scott Metcalf, Christian Kurth, Wesley Klipfel, Spencer Thomas
Juniors: Alex Camp, Thomas McKnight, Karter Atkins, Artem Slyusarenko, Nick Stuart, Michael McDaniel, and Danny Smigielski
Sophomores: Connor McMahon, Steven Farhat, Tyler Jones
Freshmen: Harrison Donahoe, Mark Carson Harris, Kei Kato, Elliot Lea, Hamilton Moore, Will Pierce
Coach: Chris Leonardi; Asssistant Coach: Kyle Smith
Middle School 2008 Boys Soccer
Congratulations to the Middle School Boys Soccer team for winning the 2008 district championship! The boys beat Dyersburg 2-0 to win district. They were 12-2 for the season.
Girls Fall 2007 Varsity Soccer
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2007 Varsity Girls Soccer team, coached by Chris Leonardi, includes:
Back row: Ann Marie Graham, Catherine Hudson, Lindsey Crosnoe, Katie Hayes, Elizabeth Crowder, Keely McMahon, Britnee Price, Haley Miller, Laura Butler.
Front row: Meg Miller, Kelsey Dietz, Sarah Ayers, Lorie Carlisle, Alex Harris, Shelby Jordan, Kelsie Sharp, and Katie Hamilton
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2007 Middle School Girls Soccer team, coached by Kyle Smith, includes:
Back row: Coach Kyle Smith, Destini Kramer, Anna Clare Pearson, Claire Williams, Carrie Cobb, Mary Salazar, Morgan Galbraith, Katie Atkins, Carrington Atkins, and Sarah Howard.
Front row: Summer James-Gist, Natalie Bryant, Jessie Smith, Mattie Boyd, Rachel Neisler, Jessica Crosnoe, Sara Carlin Slack, and Honeye Heydari.
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Boys 2007 soccer team sets record start
After 14 games into the season, the boys soccer team found itself in a rare situation of being 14-0. Never in the program’s history has a team started so well.
Along the way, the boys posted a 6-0 record in the District with an important 2-1 win over North Side. During its annual Spring Break trip to Daphne, Alabama, the team went 5-0 in the “Trojan War” tournament, playing five games within 24 hours. Christian Kurth was named MVP, while Billy Pacaccio (defensive MVP), Artem Slyusarenko, and Michael McDaniel were voted to the All-Tournament team.
Leading the team in goals is junior Scott Metcalf with 11, followed by Wesley Klipfel (9), Christian Kurth (8), and Hamed Heydari (6).
In the middle of the field, along with Christian, is his brother Alex, who is leading the team in assists. Michael McDaniel and 8th grader Kei Kato also play middle.
One of the team’s main strengths always has been its defensive stand, and this year, a lot of the responsibility falls to captain Billy Pacaccio, Spencer Thomas, Artem Slyusarenko, and Chris Pitcairn.
In the goal, Nick Stuart is getting more experienced and comfortable with every start.
The Bruins are facing tough competition ahead in the “Tournament of Champions” in Nashville and the “Best of the West” tournament at USJ. The ultimate goal will be another district title, followed by a trip back to the state tournament.
Spring 2007 Middle School Soccer
USJ’s Middle School Boys Soccer Team won the Crusader Invitational on March 31. Team members, front row, left to right, are Price McKnight and Chase Rushing; middle row, Ben Carlton, Connor Adkins, Michael Grant, Ben Ibach, Jackson Teer, and Ryan Weiss; and back row, Nick Camp, Davis Exum, Elliott Lea, Tony Stefko, Michael Richards, Will Pierce, Houston Smith, Harrison Donahoe, Hamilton Moore, and Anthony Micetich. Kyle Smith, a 2001 USJ graduate, is the coach.
Fall 2006 Girls' Soccer
Varsity Fall 2006 Game Schedule and Scores
Coach Chris Leonardi
MS Girls' 2006 Game Schedule and Scores
Coach Chris Leonardi
Girls' soccer team team sets new record in 2006
The varsity girls’ soccer team set a new record this year with the most wins ever in the regular season and by finishing runner-up in the state tournament.
The girls had a record of 15-1-1 going into the district tournament. Their loss was to St. Benedict, and their tie was to St. George, both from Memphis.
The team also went 5-0 against teams in Nashville. Those wins were against #10 in the State DCA (2-1), and #6 David Lipscomb (3-2). The other three wins were in the Ladies Tournament of Champions, which the girls won for the first time in their history. The team went 7-0 in the district and was ranked fifth in the State.
Leading the team in scoring are senior Morgan Walley with 32 goals, followed by junior Katie Hayes with 25 goals. Katie also leads the team in assists with 24. In the midfield, freshman Catherine Hudson and junior Katie Hamilton are among the best duo in their positions in the state, while outside midfield sophomores Meg Miller and Sydney McVay keep providing our forwards with great crosses.
The back four (senior Kelly Nelson, juniors Sarah Ayers and Britnee Price, and sophomore Lorie Carlisle) have been solid all year with their quiet but effective presence. In the goal, sophomore Elizabeth Crowder has allowed only 16 goals in 21 games and has already broken the record of most shutouts in a season with 10.
Another big part of the Lady Bruins soccer team is the girls’ depth off the bench with experienced players coming in at any time during the game and making a difference when needed. This squad of 19 girls is without a doubt one of the most competitive to ever play at USJ.
The Lady Bruins hosted the District tournament at home at USJ under the newly added lights. It has been more than two years since USJ has won the district tournament, and the girls were very driven towards bringing the trophy back home.
The girls won the District, the Region, and the substate. At state, they won the quarter-final and semi-final rounds, advancing to the state finals for the first time in team history. In fact, this was the first time a girls or boys soccer team in West Tennessee outside of Memphis made it to the finals. The girls lost to Christian Academy of Knoxville, 3-0. Still, they should be congratulated for making history, both for USJ soccer and West Tennessee high school soccer.
Boys' Team Advances to First State Tournament, Spring 2006
Congratulations to the 2006 Boys’ Soccer team for advancing to the State Tournament for the first time in school history. USJ finished its season with an 18-4-2 record. After beating Sheffield in the Sectional Tournament to advance to the State Tournament, the team fell to Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, 3-1.
Earlier in the season, the boys won the District Title for the seventh year by beating North Side 3-2. They were undefeated in the District with a 12-0 record. Players making the All-District Team were Jon Taylor, Billy Pacaccio, Lucas Guerra, and Cory Ferrell. Also the following players made the All Tournament Team: Jon Taylor, Billy Pacaccio, Scott Metcalf, and Christian Kurth. Jon Taylor was voted the Tournament's MVP.
The boys won the Region title for the first time since 2002 by beating Dyersburg 3 to 1. Jon Taylor, Billy Pacaccio, Cory Ferrell and Christian Kurth made the All-Region Team.
By advancing to the state tournament, this was the team's most successful season in USJ history. Leading the team to victory was top scorer, sophomore Scott Metcalf, with 21 goals and 4 assists. Goal keeper Cory Ferrell helped to keep the opposition at bay with an astonishing 12 shutouts in 24 games. Jon Taylor and Billy Pacaccio, both center backs, were the defensive stars of the team.
The Jackson Sun gave Jon Taylor, Billy Pacaccio, and Cory Ferrell an Honorable Mention in its Player of the Year honors. Jon Taylor and Cory Ferrell were named to the All-State team.
"We are looking forward to next season. We have a young team, only losing three players this year, so hopefully we can build on the success of this past season," Coach Chris Leonardi said. As a result of his success with the USJ team, Leonardi was voted District Coach of the Year.
Varsity Boys' Soccer 2006 Game Schedule and Scores
USJ Soccer Player Receives Gatorade Scholarship
The Gatorade Corporation awarded USJ 2005 graduate Lauren Hillam a $5,000 scholarship for her accomplishments as a student athlete and has given USJ’s soccer program a $1,000 donation.
USJ Soccer Coach Chris Leonardi nominated Lauren last school year for Gatorade’s High School Athlete Scholarship. Lauren, a 2005 USJ graduate, was class essayist and an All-State soccer player. She is attending Brigham Young University in Utah. Her parents are Brad and Katie Hillam of Jackson.
Girls Soccer Season, Fall 2005
After going undefeated in the district during the regular season (7-0) and a good season overall (14-3), the girls soccer team wrapped up one of the best regular seasons in the program’s history.
With a roster that had no seniors and only four juniors, the future of this team is looking bright. Leading the team in scoring were sophomore Katie Hayes, junior Kelly Nelson, and freshman Sydney McVay.
In the middle of the field, sophomores Britnee Price and Katie Hamilton and eighth grader Catherine Hudson were regular starters all year long. In the back, sophomores Jessica Johnson and Sarah Ayers and freshman Lorie Carlisle were very steady all year long. In the goal, first-year starter and sophomore Keely McMahon allowed 15 goals through 17 games and accumulated eight shutouts along the way.
Boys Spring 2005 District Champs
Congratulations to the Boys Soccer Team for defeating Madison 1-0 in the District championship. The only goal was scored by Billy Pacaccio, who was voted MVP of the tournament.
In his six years as soccer coach at USJ, Chris Leonardi has won six district championships with the byos team and five with e girls.
Girls Soccer Season, Fall 2004
With one of the youngest teams in the program’s history (five seniors, no juniors, four sophomores, and 11 freshmen on the 20-player roster), the Lady Bruins finished in the top four teams in the state – its best finish ever.
The team finished the regular season with a 12-3-1 record. Losing games only to perennial powers FRA (AA-A State Runner-up), USN (DII) and ECS (DII), the girls showed that the future of this program is bright.
Going into the District tournament, the leading scorers were Jessie Metcalf (23 goals/12 assists, both team highs), Morgan Walley (12 goals/1 assist), and Katie Hayes (10 goals/4 assists). In the middle of the field, seniors Lauren Hillam and Caroline Reed showed their experience as they are playing in their fifth year of varsity soccer. In the back, senior Stephanie Gerard and freshman Sarah Ayers started every game this season. In the goal, newcomer Tina Vaksdal has helped the Lady Bruins to a goal against average per game of 1.3.
Among those 11 freshmen, many of them had valuable playing time on the field, such as Britnee Price, Katie Hamilton, Tamika Chisolm, and Lindsey Crosnoe.
The Lady Bruins finished the regular season 5-0 in District 14-A-AA with Jessie Metcalf, Lauren Hillam, and Morgan Walley earning All-District Team nominations. The team went on to place second in the district tournament and first in the Region (for the fifth year in a row). The team won its first state playoff game in its history and made it to the final four, losing in the semifinals.
Members of the All Region Tournament Team were USJ's four seniors: Jessie Metcalf, Lauren Hillam, Caroline Reed, and Stephanie Gerard. Jessie and Lauren also were named All-State players.
