By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports
Here’s a great start to the 2026-27 girls high school soccer season.
North DeSoto hosted Byrd on Thursday, Oct. 29, in a benefit game for the local St. Jude clinic. Spectators were encouraged to bring items for the children being treated at St. Jude. Both teams and their fans were very generous at this event. The St. Jude kids were so excited when the Lady Griffins delivered the donated items on Nov. 4. The Lady Griffins’ plan is to make this an annual benefit event.
Following, the top local teams’ season outlook mainly from the perspective of their own coaches. Teams are listed alphabetically with their 2026 playoff seeding and final result.
AIRLINE– Did not qualify for the playoffs
The Lady Vikings only lost one senior impact player in Esther Cer, who was the engine that ran the midfield. Coach Alexis Hobbs will depend on four-year starters Emma Hahn, Meghan Burns, Carmin Harris, and Kara Hamilton to carry the Lady Vikings back to the playoffs.
BENTON – No. 5 seed; lost in the semifinals 3-0 to Mt. Carmel
The Lady Tigers’ historic 2026 season will be hard to repeat, made harder by the graduation of their core in the midfield. What does bode well for Benton is they return three seniors that have all committed to play at the collegiate level next year — Eyrn Flowers, Eden Whiteman, and Baleigh Ware.
Coach Jesse Dyer said, “Every season is its own so we can’t come in with too high expectations. Everything will be earned.” Dyer created the toughest schedule he has ever setup, in a quest to prepare his team for another playoff run.
BYRD – No. 7 seed; lost in quarterfinals 1-0 to St Joseph’s
The Lady Jackets graduated two impact players from last year, Miya Crawford and Georgia Gullet.
Coach Lisa Levermann said, “We are excited to welcome 10 skilled freshmen to the varsity team. Not only do these young athletes bring tremendous skill, they come with an outstanding work ethic.”
Offensively the Lady Jackets will depend on All-Metro player Tilley Armstrong and Makayla Nichols to create opportunities at goal. SK Murrell is back for another season as the leader of the backline. She works well with three-year starting keeper Riley Moncia to keep the opposing team off the scoresheet.
When asked about this year’s expectations, Levermann said, “With a strong combination of experience, fresh talent and an excellent work ethic we are excited to see what this team can accomplish. It’s shaping up to be a great year.”
CADDO MAGNET – No. 3 seed; lost in the quarterfinals 3-1 to St. Thomas More
Magnet’s new head coach John Lee returns for his second stint with the program after a four-year break from high school coaching. Lee said on losing four-year star Isabella Baltov, “She was extremely talented and a smart player. What we will miss most was her leadership. Thanks to her efforts we have many players ready to work together to fill the void. There will be a learning curve, but what I have witnessed so far, the girls are ready to make a strong case in maintaining Magnet soccer’s ranking in the high school world.”
CALVARY – No. 9 seed; lost in the semifinals on penalty kicks to Pope John Paul II
The Lady Cavaliers are led by new head coach Orlando Medellin, previously the very successful coach of the Bossier boys team. Medellin said, “Overall, we have a great group of girls who have been working hard and are eager to compete. Although we are young, we believe this team has a lot of potential.”
Calvary players to watch are Emma Sarkozi and Brooklyn Willcutt, both of whom can excel at any position the team needs them at, giving the coaches much needed flexibility in coaching a small school team.
CAPTAIN SHREVE – No. 10 seed; lost in the second round 1-0 to Byrd
The Lady Gators face a challenge this year after losing five starters from last year’s squad. Coach Erik Lane is very optimistic in the six returning starters including three-year starters Claire Embry, Sydney Smith, and Ava Bogan.
Lane said, “We have a lot of questions about how we line up, but we have some good young players. We are just figuring out where everyone needs to be plugged in.”
Loyola College Prep – No. 3 seed; lost in quarterfinals 1-0 to Isadore Newman
The Lady Flyers only lost two impact players who left big shoes to fill. According to Coach Mark Matlock, the Lady Flyers have gained six impact freshman who will provide quality minutes and depth for the varsity squad. This includes Ryleigh Stuart, who I heard from a reliable source, was offered a scholarship to the IMG Academy in Florida for soccer. Instead she will be roaming the midfield for the next four years at Loyola.
Matlock said, “With the increased quality and depth in virtually every position, the Flyers are hoping to make a deep playoff run in Division III hopefully culminating in another trip to Hammond and the state championships.”
North DeSoto – No. 15 seed; lost in the first round 8-0 to Prairieville
The Lady Griffins graduated eight seniors, including their starting keeper and many of their midfield players. These players will be missed. The bright side of their outlook is the large freshman class of quality soccer players that have fit into North DeSoto’s system well.
North DeSoto welcomes return of 80-goal scorer Melanie Windham from a knee injury; this means the Lady Griffins’ strength will be on the attack. Windham, Taylor White, Sophia Flores and freshman Madilyn Jennings possess the skill to stress any defense in the area.
PROVIDENCE CLASSICAL – first year eligible for postseason play
Coach Emily Hays said, “PCA will have a young team, but the talent and the soccer IQ level have gone up. Practice has gone well so far, with a committed work ethic and players looking to get better.”
PCA is led by sophomore Gabi Hamic, one of the area’s best midfielders, who can do it all. Other girls to watch are center back Kaylee Ivey, center midfielder Sadie Wooley and keeper Addie Hays.
Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net