MaxPreps 2013 Soccer Early Contenders: Tates Creek girls

Depth is a great thing to have in high school soccer - especially when you have to find a way to replace 47 goals and 13 assists from two players.

The Tates Creek (Lexington, Ky.) Commodores definitely will miss prolific scorer Destinie Graves, because after all, no team feels good about losing 35 goals and five assists. But they also know that the girls who were juniors last season are well-trained in what it takes to win.

"We have high expectations at Tates Creek. Our players train and prepare year-round to be the best individual players they can become. In turn, that helps our program have a lot of quality and depth on our roster," said coach Bo Lankster.

The Commodores are coming off a 23-1-4 season and a state title in Kentucky. The program's quality and the leadership from Lankster make Tates Creek one of 10 girls teams nationwide to be named a national title Early Contender, presented by Dick's Sporting Goods and adidas.



See all the 2013 Fall Soccer Early Contenders

This squad was prolific last season in taking the title (a 5-4 shootout win over Notre Dame), as the MaxPreps Computer Rankings placed Tates Creek at No. 4 nationally and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America had the squad at No. 16. That state crown certainly required a team effort, but it also had the Lankster family name scrawled all over it.

Then-sophomore Bailey Lankster knocked in the decisive penalty kick to win the title. Then-junior Aaron Lankster scored the previous goal. And now-graduated goalkeeper Arly Lankster was the one in goal the whole time. It all came together to give Bo Lankster his first state title as the girls coach at the Lexington school.

Interestingly, Bo Lankster won a state title as a player at Lexington Catholic under the tutelage of his father, coach Jim Lankster.

The team has seven seniors coming back and a pair of juniors returning who played key roles last season. What the Commodores are banking on is that the depth can offset the loss of a star (Graves) who moved on to the University of Kentucky, and the production of Elaine Simpson.

"We just want to play to our highest potential. And if we can do that, the wins and losses will take care of themselves," coach Lankster said.

See the entire Tates Creek photo gallery



Local look: "Coming off a 23-1-4 season, Tates Creek should contend for another Kentucky state title. Senior Mallory Eubanks has a knack for putting the ball in the goal and Tates Creek should give teams fits with a veteran midfield that features Aaron Lankster, Mazie Fry and Alex Tussey, and a back line that includes Ashley Whaley, Abby Van Bussum and Katie Workman."
- Mark Maloney, Lexington Herald-Leader (@MarkMaloneyHL)
{PAGEBREAK}

State classification: The KHSAA only has one class for all soccer teams

Enrollment: 1,850 (approx.)

Athletic director: Joe Ruddell

2012 finish: 23-1-4 (KHSAA champions, No. 4 national ranking by MaxPreps, No. 16 by NSCAA)

Head coach: Bo Lankster

Years at school: 17 (12 as boys coach, 4 as girls coach)

Career record: 280-154-34

Notable team achievements: 2012 KHSAA state champions, 1995 KHSAA finalist

Notable non-soccer facts about school: The boys program won five state titles in an 11-year span (1978-88). Also, Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys is a Tates Creek alum, as are NFL kicker David Akers and former University of South Carolina and Western Kentucky basketball coach Darrin Horn.
{PAGEBREAK}

Key player losses:



F Destinie Graves (University of Kentucky signee, 35 goals and 5 assists)

M Elaine Simpson (Hanover College signee, 12 goals and 8 assists)

D Abrianna Mckinney (Campbellsville University signee)

M Shelby Williams

GK Arly Lankster

Key returners:



Sr. F Katie Workman

Sr. F Abby Van Bussum

Sr. F Mallory Eubanks

Sr. M Aaron Lankster

Sr. D Ashley Whaley

Sr. M Alex Tussey



Sr. M Mazie Fry

Rising contributors:

Jr. M Jordan Chlebowy

Jr. M/D Bailey Lankster
{PAGEBREAK}

Toughest game: The Commodores will take on Sacred Heart (Louisville), and will take part in two very tough tournaments: One in Zionsville, Ind., and the other at Science Hill Academy near Knoxville, Tenn. Quality teams flock to both tournaments.

Question marks: Which individual players who were sophomores and juniors last season will find a way to move from role player to difference-maker in the effort to replace the production that left due to graduation?

National look: Kentucky had five other teams ranked in the Top 50 in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings for last season. The one-class system certainly makes the state different than others and may provide some easier wins in the playoffs, but Lankster said the top four teams in the state are capable of playing at a national level.



In summary: "Our goal is to be a perennial Top 5 program. In the game of soccer you can never predict the outcome of a season because there are too many variables. With that being said, we have a complete roster of high-character people and excellent soccer players, so we hope to have a fun season."
- Head coach Bo Lankster
{PAGEBREAK}