The Lakeland Prep Ladies Soccer team is gearing up for what could be their biggest challenge yet: the Tennessee State Championship. Despite being a relatively young program, their reputation for success is quickly growing under the leadership of Head Coach Jay Fausey. In just three short years, the team has built an impressive record:
Coach Fausey shared with Lakeland Currents the pride he feels for the team’s accomplishments, explaining how his approach this season has shifted. “This year’s approach has been different compared to the first two years,” Fausey said. “I switched up the style of play to adjust to teams we could possibly face at state. The girls have responded really well to that.” He added that the tougher schedule was designed to prepare the team for the rigors of state competition. “According to MaxPreps, we have the toughest schedule in our classification (D1-A),” he noted. “One of my main goals this year was to test the girls, scheduling tougher opponents and changing the style of play. We are seeing the fruit of all their hard work.”
That same pride also extents to the parents of players on the team. Dan Brennan, who’s daughter Ava is a 3 year starter for the Lions, said it was an incredible accomplishment to go to state 3 years in a row. “We have a real good shot this year at winning. These girls have played their hearts outs and deserve all the accolades they get. Collectively, if they play their best we can win the whole thing,” Mr. Brennan said.
Fausey also paid tribute to the team’s early foundation. The inaugural group in 2022 faced skepticism for being undersized and young, with only 8th and 9th graders on the squad. But that didn’t stop them from exceeding expectations and making a state appearance in their first season. “I knew that by challenging them from the start, it would pay off in the end,” said Fausey. “That first team bought into the process from day one. They didn’t know how it would turn out, but they trusted the process and developed into a really special team.”
With district, regional, and sectional wins already secured, Lakeland Prep is primed for another deep run in the state tournament.
Prep plays Westview High School out of Martin, TN tonight at 6:30 on the campus of Baylor School in Chattanooga.
