LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — The nationally ranked Motlow State women’s soccer program will play its first game on its new field when the Bucks host Southern Union State Community College (AL) this Saturday, Aug. 26, at 3 p.m.

The Bucks made a strong showing in a pair of national preseason polls. Motlow begins the year ranked #16 by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and #17 by the United Soccer Coaches Association (USCA).

Head Coach Andy Lyon welcomes back 10 sophomores who were part of Motlow’s TCCAA/Region VII championship team last year that advanced to the NJCAA national tournament. The Bucks added two transfers and 12 freshmen to this year’s roster.

The field is located on the Moore County campus beside the softball field. There is no admission charge for Motlow home athletic events. However, Motlow is accepting donations to assist with completing the field, including adding a fence around the facility, field maintenance, and benches for participating teams.

The Bucks open the season on the road with three tough challenges. The first stop was Ottumwa, Iowa, where Motlow lost to the defending national champions, Iowa Western, 5-0. Ottumwa is the home of Motlow’s second opponent, Indian Hills, ranked #15 in the USCA poll. The Bucks played to a 0-0 draw with Indian Hills. Both games were part of the Indian Hills Classic.

The third road game before the home opener is in Barnesville, GA, where the Bucks will play Gordon State College on Aug. 24 at 3 p.m.

Following the home opener, the Bucks will play three more road contests before returning home Saturday, Sept. 16, to host Spartanburg Methodist at 5 p.m. Motlow leadership will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to the match with the time to be announced. Motlow opens Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) conference play on Friday, Sept. 8, at Dyersburg State.

The Bucks have won the TCCAA regular season and tournament championships the past two years and advanced to the NJCAA national tournament. To learn more about the team, visit the Motlow State athletics website by clicking here. •

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently-owned, community newspaper located in Lynchburg, Tennessee the home of The Jack Daniel Distillery. We focus on public service, non-partisan, rural journalism. We cover the Metro Moore County government, local tourism, Moore County schools, high school sports, Motlow State Community College, as well as whiskey industry news and regional and state stories that affect our readers.}