Ashley Hall soccer survives tough schedule

Charleston – Playing in a conference that includes two of the state’s powerhouses, wins can be hard to come by for the Ashley Hall soccer team.

Add in a difficult slate of non-region games against bigger public schools, and the Panthers certainly have to scratch and claw for whatever success comes their way.

The 2024 regular season is complete and Ashley Hall’s record of 7-10 does not look that bad in its totality. Coach Christian Alcantara has seen his team improve and develop throughout the spring with only three seniors in the starting lineup. The only goal remaining for this season is to earn a spot in the SCISA AAAA state playoffs. Getting a postseason win would cap off the season.

“This group has a solid balance of skill, athleticism, and experience and we expect that to help us reach the second round of playoffs this year,” the coach reports.

Four of Ashley Hall’s losses came to state powers Pinewood Prep and Porter-Gaud, losing twice to each program. The region foes played each other for the state title last season and Pinewood Prep has won the last two state titles.

The Panthers also lost to three SCHSL Class AAAAA programs, falling to Spartanburg, Stratford and Cane Bay, and suffered another loss to AAAA public school Bluffton during the regular season.

The three starting senior leaders this spring are forward Martha Rivers, defensive back Anna Strickland, and goalkeeper Abby White.

Joining Rivers up front as offensive threats are junior Kate Coker and sophomore Catherine Clark.

Anchoring the midfield area are juniors Iris Steigman and Dia Timko, along with freshman newcomer Molly Mettler.

Joining Strickland as a leader in the back are three eighth-graders – Gray Phillips, Annie Morrison and Wells Phillips. Timko and Catherine Perkins also perform key roles as defenders.

Lynden Taylor and Eliza Willis are two newcomers that have been able to contribute this spring.