Articles

2001/08/01 Foxnews

Student Sports Fab 50 Girls Soccer Rankings

#14. Franklin (Franklin, Tenn.) 0-0-0

Brittney Potts leads a talented cast of returners. Franklin's schedule includes a tournament with McDonogh (Md.) and a pair of northern Virginia private school powers.

2001 October Nashville City Paper

Franklin boots Commandos for state bid

by Dominic Bonvissuto

Franklin will have a chance to defend their 2000 state soccer championship after advancing past Hendersonville, 1-0, last night in sectional play. Last night’s win marks the third straight season the Rebels have beaten the Commandos to advance to the Class AAA final four.

Franklin got on the board in the 22nd minute after a Hendersonville penalty gave the Rebels a direct kick from 40 yards out. Junior midfielder Natalie Dunham lofted a pass towards the Commandos’ goal, where sophomore Kaley Forrest was making a run. Forrest beat goalie Mandy Slough with a header that found the corner of the net. “It was a set play we’ve used before,” said Forrest, who transferred to Franklin this year. “We look for the far post run and see if we can get a head on it. It worked.” Rebels coach Jimmy Burchett has come to expect big plays from Forrest. “She has been a godsend for us,” Burchett said. “What we lost last year with [graduated seniors] Jessica Bransford and Ashley Church, we really needed somebody like her to come in and play well.”

The Rebels also received outstanding play from senior goalkeeper Amanda Martin, who made the 1-0 lead stand up. In the 46th minute, Commando senior Dusty Griffy rocketed a shot at point blank range right into Martin’s chest. Four minutes later, sophomore Amy Teal fired a shot from the left side of the box that Martin barely got a glove on, pushing it past the far post. “Amanda made some game-saving saves in the second half,” Rebels coach Jimmy Burchett said. “We think she hyper-extended her elbow on the cross. We’re going to check her out.” Perhaps the Commandos’ best chance to tie came in the final two minutes. Senior Brittany Harp broke through the Rebel defense and had a clear path to the goal. On a questionable no-call, Harp was taken down in the box, and the ball squirted free. Sophomore Amanda Stefek gathered the ball, and from six yards out, fired a shot. It went straight into the waiting arms of Martin. “She lives for this kind of game,” said Burchett of his senior goalie. “The more pressure put on her, the better she plays.” With the win, Franklin avenged a regular season 1-0 loss to the Commandos, who finished the season 14-3-0. “We knew we were the better team,” Forrest said. “We just had to put it to them [last night] and make sure they knew it.”

Franklin (15-2-0) moves on to the state semifinals, to be played in Chattanooga, for the third consecutive year. The Rebels play Saturday at 2 p.m. against the winner of last night’s Dobyns Bennett-Bearden match.

2001 December NSCAA All American Awards

Brittney Potts is one of 9 repeat All-American Midfielders in 2001.

MIDFIEDERS

Ali Andrzejewski * Jr. McDonogh School, Owing Mills, Md.

Kimmy Francis * Sr. Council Rock High School, Richboro, Pa.

Allison Graham * Jr. Starr's Mill High School, Fayetteville. Ga.

Noelle Keselica * Jr. Watkins Mill High School, Gaithersburg, Md.

Kristi Lefebvre * Sr. Colchester High School, Colchester, Vt.

Nikki Lieb * Sr. Radnor High School , Radnor, Pa.

Manya Makoski * Sr. Trumbull High School, Trumbull, Conn.

Brittney Potts * Sr. Franklin High School, Franklin, Tenn.

Tiffany Weimer * Sr. North Haven High School, North Haven, Conn.

2002 TSSAA News Volume 55

Listed below are individuals nominated during the year to receive special recognition for going the extra mile to do what’s right. Each individual and/or

school listed received a handwritten card from TSSAA commending them for their effort.

Brittany Potts, Soccer Player Franklin H.S. Commended for her exemplary behavior during and following soccer matches and for praise given to teammates and opponents.