Livingston Academy’s girls soccer team avenged its first district loss in seven years with a 4-2 victory over Cumberland County in the district tournament, securing a championship through strategic adjustments and renewed determination.
Lady Wildcats Head Coach Michelle Childers said the regular-season defeat initially affected the team’s confidence, but the coaching staff challenged players to learn from the loss and focus on their opportunity for redemption in the postseason.
“There’s so much more to take away from a loss,” Childers said. “We talked about it and it kind of put a kind of put a hamper on our practice and stuff the next two days.”
Childers said the coaching staff adjusted Livingston Academy’s formation for the rematch after Cumberland County successfully limited the Lady Wildcats’ offensive opportunities during their first meeting. The changes included moving Reece from her usual striker position and shifting Sage from attacking midfield to create a different offensive approach.
“So we took a little different approach in our formation,” Childers said. “We did drop Reece is usually up top as a striker and then I have Sage back in midfield. She’s an attacking mid, and so we kind of switched that up a little bit because we knew that Cumberland kind of shut us down a little bit.”
Childers said the players entered the tournament determined to accomplish the district championship goal they had established before the season.
“They didn’t like the taste in their mouth when we lost against Cumberland the first time during season,” Childers said. “So, you know what I mean, they were just like, ‘We’re doing this and we’re going to complete a goal that we set at the beginning of our season,’ which was win district.”
Childers said leadership from the team’s captains and seniors proved just as important as the tactical changes. Sage addressed her teammates at halftime, reinforcing the value of players holding one another accountable and providing encouragement.
“I think having student athletes perform and talk to their team within their peers, I think it’s an amazing thing,” Childers said. “It shouldn’t always come from Coach Justin and I.”
Childers said those leadership opportunities reflect a larger purpose behind the program. Beyond winning championships, she wants players to develop the communication skills, confidence and commitment to community involvement they will need after high school.
With the district championship secured, Childers said the players have already begun focusing on maintaining their conditioning for next season.