In just the soccer program’s third year, Columbia is starting to turn the corner as a legitimate program.
The Wildcats (5-4-2) have had a strong season and are coming off of a 3-0 road win over Magee Friday and a 5-1 loss to Purvis Monday.
Columbia head coach Romar Smith said how close knit the Wildcats are as a team has shown up in the results.
“We’re up for every single challenge,” he said. “It’s all about togetherness working for us.”
Smith pointed to Jacob Pace, who leads Columbia with 14 points and seven goals, Luke Davis, who is second on the team in both points (12) and goals (5), Eric Flores (11 points, four goals) and Myles Clark as the players leading the way for the Wildcats. Goalkeeper Carson Beisel has been solid all season with 39 saves and just seven goals against.
“The majority of them have actually shown that they’re learning stuff during practice,” Smith said.
The Lady Wildcats (2-8-1) have been up-and-down this season, according to Smith, who wishes they could have everyone practicing together. Several of the players have to miss practice at times because of other responsibilities such as cheer or choir.
Kayla Buckley and Peyton Hanks each have nine points and four goals this season, while Myers Foxworth has seven points and two goals. Buckley has also spent a lot of time in the net and has 69 saves and just five goals against.
The Lady Wildcats similarly beat Magee handily, 5-1, but lost in disappoint fashion, 7-0, to Purvis.
Both Columbia squads played at North Forrest Tuesday night, but results were unavailable at press time. They have three games next week to close out the regular season with road games Tuesday and Thursday against Lawrence County and North Pike, respectively, and a home game in the season finale Friday against McComb.
