New Era Begins For Lady Titan Soccer
The 2025 Mercer County Girls Soccer team pictured from left in front row: Aliyah Ison, Addisyn Bartleson, Allison Osoy, Isabelle Devensky, Kiley Waldridge, Anonni McCann, Carly Sanders and Zoey Ward; middle, Hayden Nations, Emerson Daniels, Averi Adkins, Lily Selby, Khloe Maddox, Emma Tatum, Leigha Gunkel and Peyton McAninch; standing, Head Coach Kim Ramirez, Dixie Vaught, Cayden Adkins, Baylee Sims, Alexis Barker, Zoey Robinson, Kylie Mobley, Olivia Rogers, Stephanie Noort and Melina Flygstad.
Samuel Warren
Herald Staff
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Mercer County Senior High School girls soccer recently said goodbye to longtime Head Coach Josh Culver, who led the Lady Titans onto the field for nine straight seasons. Luckily for this year’s squad, their new head coach is someone they’ve known for their entire time in high school.
New Lady Titan Head Coach Kim Ramirez has dedicated her entire coaching career to Mercer County. Ramirez was part of the program for four years before graduating from Mercer County in 2017 and went on to play college soccer at Lindsey Wilson University, graduating in 2021. Soon after college, she joined the program as an assistant, then transitioned to the Campbellsville University-Harrodsburg staff, where she coached for three seasons, including a stint as interim head coach.
“It was pretty simple stepping into this role, especially being behind Culver for four years. I have learned a lot over these years and I am grateful to have coached alongside him,” said Ramirez. “I am very excited to get the opportunity to be a mentor to the girls and really help them excel on and off the field.”
The Lady Titans have been dealing with a hole left at the top of their lineup as Kentucky Wesleyan freshman Laykin Irvin and her 35 goals from a season ago have left the program. The 2025 Lady Titans will rely on a host of players to get the ball to the back of the net this season, and Ramirez is interested to see who takes a step forward early in the season.
“I really think that it’s up to anyone who is willing to put the ball in the net. I don’t think we’ll have one person that we will rely on to score specifically. Our team has many players who can put some goals up for us this year. I’m very excited to see who’s going to take that challenge,” said Ramirez.
Senior forwards Kiley Waldridge and Kylie Mobley are poised to have breakout years, and have been key pieces in the Lady Titans’ lineup since they were freshmen. The pair combined for 28 career goals and assists, and their veteran status makes them favorites to lead Mercer from the top of the lineup. Senior Baylee Sims has been the primary playmaker for much of the last two seasons, and her ability to split the defence with impeccable through balls will come in handy this season as both Mobley and Waldridge have the speed and ability to run wide with any defender. Sims has led the Lady Titans in assists each of the last two seasons, but will need to shoot more often this season if the Lady Titans plan to compete for a district title.
Hayden Nations started every game last season in defence despite only being a freshman, and she leads a sophomore class that will be pivotal to the Lady Titans success. Emerson Daniels tallied three goals and three assists a year ago and is poised to make an impact in the opponent’s box. Aliyah Ison, Carly Sanders, Adisyn Bartleson, Allison Osoy and Alexis Barker round out a talented group of sophomores.
Barker will step into an important role and plans to fill the shoes of 2025 graduate Skylar Webb, who had a great season between the goalposts. Barker has strong hands and isn’t afraid to go up and fight for the ball. Olivia Rogers, Isabelle Devenskey, Avery Adkins and Cayden Adkins provide some added depth to the defense as well.
“The girls are looking good so far. We definitely have some things that we need to work on, but it’s slowly coming together. One of our biggest strengths I think, is the chemistry that the girls have on and off the field. I think being able to have a good relationship outside of soccer can benefit how they play as a whole on the field,” said Ramirez.
Mercer has a shorter schedule this season but lucky for Lady Titan fans, nine of their 15 games will be played in Harrodsburg this season. Their season begins with a home game against Nelson County on Monday, Aug. 11. The Lady Cards suffered a 4-2 defeat on their home pitch to the Lady Titans a year ago, and they returned most of their varsity squad, making for a tough challenge to begin the season. As for her expectations in her first season leading the program:
“I think for myself, just knowing that these girls have given everything they have left in them to keep fighting, and to encourage one another, would be a success for me,” said Ramirez.
Way to go girls so proud of you have a great year