Savoring the moment: Lafayette rides historic year into girls’ soccer district tourney
When Coach Taylor Roden took over the Lafayette girls’ soccer team in 2016, she started a tradition that seems simple and fitting in today’s social media age.
After each victory, the team takes a celebration selfie to post across their social media platforms.
But there’s a deeper reason behind it. The season before, Lafayette notched only one win and scored only four goals in 20 games.
“One of my friends did it at her wedding, and she was like, ‘I just wanna remember this moment.’ And she took it at the altar. And I was like, ‘You know what? That’s kind of cool.’”
Playing in the lowest varsity division in that year’s preseason Bluegrass State Games, the Generals got their first victory under Roden. She told her team: “‘Girls, we want to remember this moment. …
“‘We want to remember how winning feels.’”
Progress has been steady under Roden’s leadership: Six wins in 2016, seven in 2017, 10 in 2018 and 11 in 2019.
In this COVID-19 shortened season, there have been seven selfies for the deepest, most talented group of Generals Roden has put on the pitch, yet. Those wins have included a number of milestones:
▪ Their first win over Tates Creek since 2004.
▪ Their first win over Henry Clay since 2006.
▪ Their first win over Paul Laurence Dunbar since 2013.
▪ A win over West Jessamine, a two-time state champ and four-time defending 12th Region champion.
▪ Their first district playoff seed higher than a No. 4 since 2005.
The Generals hope to learn how winning a district playoff game feels when they take on Dunbar again in the 43rd District semifinals Monday night as the soccer postseason gets underway across the state.
Lafayette hasn’t advanced to a regional since it was in the old 14th Region back in 2005. That was before many on the current roster were born. A win Monday would change that. Lafayette was the first Kentucky High School Athletic Association sanctioned girls’ soccer state champion in 1992. It was state runner-up in 1994.
“We have fabulous senior leaders. All five seniors are huge contributors to our culture and our play and then when you just get that with a few special, talented freshmen, it’s a really unique mix,” Roden said.
Ten different players have scored for Lafayette, including three freshmen. Kristen Gamble, a senior, and Lily Simpson, a freshman, are tied for the team lead with seven goals each.
Lafayette’s only two losses have come against Highlands and Lexington Catholic, two teams who have each been ranked No. 1 by MaherRankings.com at points during the season. (They are currently Nos. 2 and 5, respectively. Lafayette ranks 10th).
Playing without Simpson, injured against Lexington Catholic two weeks ago, Lafayette defeated No. 16 Henry Clay 2-1 in their regular-season finale Wednesday. A freshman, Brooke Dawahare, and a sophomore, Marianne Gebb, scored the goals.
“As a freshman, I had no idea that we would ever be in this position,” said senior forward Ella Abraham, who leads the team with six assists. “We’ve never made it out of the first round, the four-five seed game (at districts), as long as I’ve been here. So this is a huge win here going into districts strong.”
Lafayette stunned No. 12 Dunbar 5-3 on Sept. 21, a loss the Bulldogs will look to avenge Monday.
Regardless, Roden has Lafayette on an upward trajectory. Five seasons, dozens of selfies, and tons of moments that Roden smiles at when looking back through those photos on Instagram.
“I remember … in the interview, they asked me why I wanted to take this job,” Roden recalled. “And I just loved playing high school soccer. I played in college, but high school was where I had the most fun. I knew some girls on the team … who were having a bad experience, and I wanted to change that for them. …
“Even in the past where we haven’t been this successful, I still think these girls are proud they played for Lafayette. That was our goal.”
Girls’ soccer
42ND DISTRICT PLAYOFFS
Monday: Bryan Station (0-11) at Scott County (4-6), 8 p.m.
Tuesday: Bryan Station-Scott County winner vs. Henry Clay (6-2), 6 p.m.
Wednesday: Sayre (9-3) at Frederick Douglass (8-2-2), 7 p.m.
Thursday: Championship at Henry Clay, 8:30 p.m.
43RD DISTRICT PLAYOFFS
All games at Lexington Christian
Saturday’s game: Lexington Christian 6, Tates Creek 0
Monday: Lexington Catholic (8-2) vs. Lexington Christian (5-6), 5:30 p.m.; Lafayette (7-2-1) vs. Paul Laurence Dunbar (8-3), 8 p.m.
Wednesday: Championship, 6 p.m.
This story was originally published October 11, 2020 at 11:05 AM.
