The Bearden Bulldogs defeated the Houston Mustangs in the TSSAA Class AAA state championship game at CHI Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Parker)
2023 GIRLS SOCCER SEASON PREVIEW
Bearden coach Ryan Radcliffe and other coaches in District 4-AAA soccer contend they’re in the most competitive district in the state.
It gets even more competitive this year.
West moves from District 3-AAA into District 4-AAA and replaces Lenoir City, which drops in classification from District 4-AAA to District 5-AA.
Other teams in District 4-AAA are Farragut, Hardin Valley Academy, Maryville, William Blount, and Heritage.
Bearden’s girls have made 10 state tournament appearances — all since 2001 — and won four state championships, including back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022.
The Lady Bulldogs haven’t lost a game since the 2020 season. They were 23-0-1 two years ago and 24-0 last season.
Radcliffe, who’s coached Bearden’s boys and girls since 2014-15 and played for Bearden’s 2006 state championship team, said his team’s goal is another state title.
“Our expectations will remain simple,” Radcliffe said. “With West joining a district that is already loaded, our focus will be on those teams first and then we will see what happens after that. This group of girls is very talented and eager to prove that they can be the first Bearden team to win a (state) title three years in a row.”
The Lady Bulldogs also won back-to-back state titles in 2006-07. They are 4-0 in state championship matches.
Radcliffe will test his team with another demanding non-district schedule, which includes matches against Assumption (Ky.), Albertus Magnus (New York), Briarcrest Christian of Memphis and Chattanooga Baylor. Albertus Magnus, a private school in Bardonia, a suburb of New York City, will take a flight to Knoxville for a Sept. 23 match.
Bearden has been ranked No. 1 in the nation by United Soccer Coaches since last fall; Albertus Magnus, which went 22-1-0 last season, is currently ranked No. 12.
The Lady Bulldogs play their season opener Aug. 23 against Assumption (Ky.) at Chattanooga Baylor.
“We will probably be playing our toughest schedule I have had on the girls’ side at Bearden this year with several out-of-state teams and top teams across the state on our schedule,” Radcliffe said, “but our senior leadership has been exceptional during the preseason.
“It’s going to be tough to match the success of 2022 with the national championship, undefeated record, and two-time state championship, but I believe this group is fully expecting to do just that.”
Here’s a look at Bearden and other teams to watch in the 5Star Preps coverage area, along with some players to watch:
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