Local News
Mercy Girls Get Soccer Playoff Berth
Published: May 1, 2008
Brian Williams, second from right, the varsity girls soccer coach at Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fairburn, addresses some of his players during a practice two days before the team’s first playoff appearance in school history against Brookstone High School in Columbus April 25. (Photo by Michael Alexander)
FAIRBURN—It was more than a good year for the girls soccer team at Our Lady of Mercy High School. It was a record-setting year that put the rest of the Class AA/A teams on notice that Mercy soccer is up and coming.
For starters this year’s team pulled together a school best 11 wins and four losses. They had eight shutouts against opponents and were region runner-up. Seniors like striker Catie Palmer had 31 goals this season and goalkeeper Alexandria Miles recorded the most saves in a single season. Miles had 30 saves in the March 31 region final against Eagles Landing Christian Academy, and she made at least one save in every penalty kick shootout going back to the 2007 season.
The highest compliment to this team and their single season achievements is the fact that they made the playoffs for the first time in school history. The team was riding an emotional high after an 1-0, double overtime victory against Pace Academy on April 16, but following a practice in preparation of the playoffs Palmer said, “We have to stay focused.”
On April 25 Mercy traveled to Columbus to face Brookstone High School, but their playoff run came to an abrupt end with a 5-0 loss. One of the team’s nine graduating seniors, Jordan Kulwicki, put the season in perspective, “We’ve paved the road for those coming behind us and they know what to expect. Even though we’re leaving, they can build it up.”
Brian Williams, a 1992 graduate of St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, has coached the girls varsity soccer team for the last five years.
