Williamstown girls soccer player Ella McLain takes a shot on goal during a practice this week. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

WILLIAMSTOWN — The resurrection of girls soccer at Williamstown High School is no longer a pipedream.

For the first time since soccer went to a co-ed format in 2022, the Yellowjackets will field a girls only program for the upcoming fall.

According to first-year head coach Maddi Leggett, a total of 18 girls have signed up. And most of those same individuals participated in lifting sessions scheduled during the offseason.

Through Tuesday, the team has gathered for four flex days.

“I knew there was a lot of drive and community support from Williamstown to make this happen,” Leggett said. “The girls’ enthusiasm is through the roof right now – they are excited to have their own girls team. A lot of their skills have been phenomenal, so this is definitely a great thing.

Williamstown juniors, from left, Addison Richardson, Macy Phelps, Madelyn Jones and Kadence Bandy played for the Yellowjackets’ co-ed team last season. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“Soon after I got hired, the girls started lifting. We were able to build a relationship as a team. There was a lot of loud music at those lifts. I think the girls saw me dance a little too much.”

A schedule with 15 regular-season matches in addition to the Little Kanawha Conference Tournament is in place. Williamstown girls soccer debuts Aug. 20 at Magnolia.

The Yellowjackets’ first home match on the brand new turf on the football field surface is scheduled for Aug. 28 against Ravenswood.

“The girls are definitely excited about getting some recognition after the past few years,” Leggett said. “We have new uniforms. I also need to get some updated gear.”

At age 23, Leggett might be considered the youngest high school soccer coach in the state. A basketball and soccer player while a student-athlete at Parkersburg High School, Leggett returned to her alma mater to serve as an assistant coach for head coach Jarric Hoskins.

Leggett continues to stay in contact with coach Hoskins.

“In fact, this morning I texted Jarric asking him a question,” Leggett said. “The biggest thing I want to bring over to Williamstown is our own energy. If I show up wanting to be there, that will impact the girls wanting to be there.”

Several individuals have stepped to the forefront and brought leadership to the program, including juniors Madelyn Jones and Macy Phelps. Classmate Addison Richardson is another example of someone going above the call in terms of her workout regiment.

“There’s always been a want for a girls team,” said Jones, who had company with Phelps and Richardson playing with Williamstown’s co-ed version since their freshman year. “Now we have the numbers and we are definitely looking forward to that.”

With their experience in travel ball, girls like Phelps said the numbers during sign-ups increased because it gave the girls program their own identity. She touched on the physicality of the sport. It’s not surprising to see the girls play more physical than the boys version.

“The misconception is that the guys are stronger, and they are just going to push you around,” Phelps said. “We didn’t have any problems with the boys being overly aggressive. We were OK and got treated fairly.”

All four girls agreed, boys had an advantage with their speed. As far as ball movement, the girls had the skills. That’s where the presence of Leggett pays off. Her experience both as player and coach are preparing the Yellowjacket girls for what lies ahead.

“Coach Leggett knows how to develop the team and certain drills we need to be doing,” Richardson said. She’s really helping the new freshmen because some of them haven’t played before. She’s good at being patient and helping them on their skill level.”

A fourth junior, Kadence Bandy joined Jones, Phelps and Richardson for the Williamstown co-ed team last season which won the LIttle Kanawha Conference Championship.

“I think a lot of girls just got intimidated with the fact that it was co-ed,” Bandy said.

The juniors figure 12 or 13 is a more accurate number for the upcoming season.

“Injuries are a concern, but we just went through a season where we barely had enough, and we made it,” Bandy said. ”

As far as ability on the pitch, incoming freshmen Savannah Schofield and Sophie Nisewarner have a background playing for Eastern Elite Soccer Club.

“We are really excited about the upcoming season, especially with the new uniforms that actually are fitted for girls,” Phelps said.

Richardson added: “This has been our sport growing up and now it’s exciting to see we actually get a team for ourselves and we get to have stuff that’s specialized for us.” .

Girls soccer at Williamstown dates back to 2014. Having their own identity is a serious matter.

“A lot of girls who are playing weren’t interested in co-ed specific,” Leggett said. “The opportunity to play with girls created enough excitement on its own.”

Williamstown will compete in Class AA/A. Coach Leggett doesn’t see any reason why her team can’t make a deep run in the postseason competing against the likes of a Charleston Catholic, which has won 10 state titles since Class AA/A was created in 2008.

“I understand we are a new team with a fresh start – I look at the teams playing, but I see us making a run at states,” Leggett said.

Even though she attended Salem University to continue her basketball career, soccer has always been Leggett’s No. 1 sport. Her mother, especially, was ecstatic to see her daughter accept the head coaching position with Williamstown.

“My brother who is currently at Wheeling at Park expected this out of me, and my mom has always been a soccer fan and any sports I played,” Leggett said. “In high school I enjoyed soccer more. It’s a game I always understand. Basketball came more naturally to me.

“Right now, I’m loving it here at Williamstown. The girls enjoy having someone make it very challenging. The most exciting thing going into this is watching the players grow and come together as a team, and see the confidence grow with the girls.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsadnsentinel.com