Women's soccer receives United Soccer National Coaching Staff of the Year Award

National accolades continue to roll in for the Holmes Community College Women's Soccer program after their amazing season this year.

Most recently, the coaching staff was named the United Soccer Coaches National Coaching Staff of the Year. They were also named the Gulf South Region Coaching Staff of the Year. The staff includes: Wesley Noble, Head Coach; Gentry Johnson, Assistant Coach; Taylor Leddy, Goalkeeper Coach; Miguel Molina, Volunteer Assistant Coach; Sarah Keeton Odom, Volunteer Assistant Coach; and Keith Comish, Athletic Trainer.

The United Soccer Coaches is an organization of American soccer coaches founded in 1941. It is the largest soccer coaches organization in the world, with more than 30,000 members. It offers training courses for both beginning and experienced coaches and a wide range of award programs.

The Lady Bulldogs, who finished the season at 18-2-3, won the MACCC title after going 8-1-1 during the regular season conference play. Holmes then went in as the No. 1 for the Region XXIII/Gulf South District Tournament and picked up two wins. The Lady Bulldogs defeated Pearl River in the semifinals, 1-0, and the won the championship match over Northwest on penalty kicks after tying 1-1 in regulation and two overtimes. 

Holmes then went into the NJCAA National Tournament in Tucson, Ariz. as the No. 1 seed. Holmes defeated Cape Fear in their first match of pool play, 6-1. They then advanced to the semifinals with a win over Schoolcraft on penalty kicks after tying 3-3 in regulation and two overtimes. The Lady Bulldogs faced Mississippi rival Jones in the semifinals and won the match, 2-1 in double overtime. The Lady Bulldogs then squared off with No. 2 Phoenix and fell 4-0 in the championship match.

"It's an honor to be recognized with this award," Coach Wesley Noble said. "I'm extremely grateful to have these members of our coaching staff around this program every day. Each of them works tirelessly and bring an energy to everything they do.

"This year would not have been possible without each and every one of them," he said. "They all bring something to the table that drives the culture of this program and allows us to be successful. I'm blessed to be a part of it."

Noble said all the credit goes to his players. "With that being said, good players make good coaches," he added. "Without each and every one of our young ladies, this achievement wouldn't be possible."