Carolina Alvarado returns as an All-District perfomer.
The Lady Panther Soccer team reached heights over the past two seasons that have not been seen in the program for many years. However, the Lady Panther knew that success would be difficult to duplicate after the losses the program has seen going into the 2020-2021 season. With half of their season behind them, the Lady Panthers are looking to find their stride in the second half of the season.
Gone from the past two seasons are Head Coach Chris Hampton. Scarlet Martinez, the two-time Division II, District IV MVP, has graduated. Five other All-District players are no longer with the Lady Panthers.
New Head Coach Luis Mendoza brings a wealth of coaching experience to the program. Coach Mendoza will look to Senior Goalkeeper Julyana Espinal to step up and replace graduating All-District Goalkeeper Tionna Hodges. Returning Juniors Seema Kawji and Carolina Alvarado were both All-District players last season. The three returning players will try to lead the Lady Panthers through their difficult schedule in the second half of the season.
Coach Mendoza will also look for three Sophomores to make significant improvements to their game in order to contribute to the Lady Panthers season. Emma Carter, Layla Shelton, and Marie Sierra will have to grow up quickly on the pitch this season.
All-District Goalkeeper Tionna Hodges is being replaced by Julyana Espinal.
The Lady Panthers have three home games left. Woodlawn is scheduled to host Brusly (December 18, 2020), De La Salle (January 11, 2021), and Livonia (January 25, 2021). The Lady Panthers will travel for both of their District matchups. They will travel to Plaquemine on January 19 for a rematch of their season opening match, in which the Lady Panthers defeated the Lady Green Devils by the score of 8-0.
The Lady Panthers will travel to Liberty on January 21. That match is set for a 3:30 pm kickoff and will likely determine the District Champion.
