THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Houston High School Athletics

The Tennessee high school girls soccer season came to a close last month with Houston (Class AAA) and Evangelical Christian (DII-A) capturing TSSAA state championships. Here is the Commercial Appeal's All-Metro girls soccer teams for the 2024 season. Player of the Year Ellett Smith Midfielder | Houston | Sr. After Houston started this season 10-0, MaxPreps ranked the team No. 1 in the nation. But early into the season, that wasn't a cause for celebration. Senior Ellett Smith, and others, knew the thin margins between capturing your dreams and missing out. For three years it'd been the former, as Houston lost to Bearden in the state tournament each year, with two losses coming in the 2021 and 2022 championship games. “Just because we’re No. 1, undefeated or beat our rival team (in the regular season), doesn’t mean that we’re gonna beat every team," Smith remembered saying. "It definitely put pressure on us but it made us work even harder to prove to everyone that we are who everyone says we are.” Flash forward one month and 12 matches later, Houston met their cross-state rivals, Bearden, in the state title once again. Smith assisted Isabella Drotar-Chester's opening goal within the first six minutes. The assist, her 18th of the season, was evidence of Smith's versatility that coach David Wolff raves about. "(Smith's) as creative of a player as I’ve ever had," Wolff said. "Sees the game great." The 2024 season was Smith's first in an attacking midfield role. Before that, she was a holding midfielder, a role she admittedly hated at first, but soon grew to love. Before that, she played central midfield and striker. She excelled at each position, doing whatever was needed for the team. "She can play any place on the field," Wolff said. "She's a complete player." Nearly 90 minutes and one Bearden goal later, the teams were in a penalty shootout. Smith had confidently slotted home the third kick. Two kicks later, her hands covered her eyes, her back to Mustangs keeper Laila McNamee as she stood awaiting the kick. "It was just pure excitement. As soon as I heard (McNamee's) hands hit the ball, I looked up and we all just started running," Smith remembered. "It's something we'll never forget." With the save, Houston captured its first Class AAA title since 2018. Smith, a Vanderbilt signee, ended her high school career with hardware. She was instrumental in Houston's perfect 22-0 season, scoring 27 goals to accompany her 18 assists and is The Commercial Appeal's Girls Soccer Player of the Year. First Team McKlain Jones Defender | Houston | Sr. Jones was key part of Houston's defense which allowed just five goals this season. She also scored nine goals. Kate Wingfield Defender | Houston | So. Wingfield scored five goals and provided three assists from the back line while also playing a part in Houston's dominant defense. Hallie McBride Defender | Houston | Jr. The junior McBride was another integral figure along Houston's backline. She recorded two goals and four assists. Laila McNamee Goalkeeper | Houston | Sr. McNamee was a nearly perfect last line of defense for Houston, letting in just five goals in 22 matches. The senior made three saves in regulation during the state championship game, and made another during penalty kicks. Second Team Forward: Zerina Markovic, Houston, Sr. Coach of the Year David Wolff Houston One of the nation's most accomplished high school soccer coaches added yet another trophy to the cabinet this season. David Wolff led Houston on a perfect 22-0 run and won his seventh girls soccer state championship, the school's 10th overall, and first since 2018. Wolff credited his veterans like Smith, but also his younger players, for helping the team past Bearden and others at the state tournament. "This was the first time (vs. Bearden) we walked on the field where we were the better team" Wolff said. "It was age, the ninth graders from last year had two years under their belts. They went through the ringer last year and were so much more composed.”

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Houston High School Athletics

HOUSTON'S ELLETT SMITH LEADS THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL'S 2024 ALL-METRO GIRLS SOCCER TEAMS

WENDELL SHEPHERD JR.

Commercial Appeal | 11/21/2024

PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal