With the first whistle of the season fast approaching, the Randolph Girls’ soccer team is gearing up for what promises to be an inspiring campaign. The Raiders aren’t shying away from big goals, either.

“I anticipate that the team will make another Area Championship one of their goals this season,” said head coach Kevin Shivers. “That would make four in a row if they can achieve it. Beyond that, there may be hopes for a deeper run in the state playoffs.”
The road won’t be easy, but the Raiders bring back serious star power. Three returning All-State and All-Metro seniors, Jane Connell, Asha Arora, and Mary Newton Maxwell, are expected to deliver more highlight-reel moments this spring. With six varsity starters from the Class of 2025 now graduated, their experience and poise will be essential on and off the field.

They won’t be doing it alone. Caroline Wyatt, Hatten Hess, and Cece Brigance return as battle-tested varsity contributors, ready to step into even larger roles. And fans should keep an eye on senior Anne Fowlkes Schreeder, whose athleticism and competitive spirit are impossible to miss.

The Raiders’ future looks bright as well. Freshman standouts Maggie Cooper and Greer Baker turned heads with impressive off-season work and strong performances during late-season varsity call-ups last year. Many of the upperclassmen are excited to see whether those varsity debutantes can turn momentum into impact during their first full season with the senior squad. Several talented eighth graders may also get their chance to shine when the moment comes.

The schedule is packed with matchups that promise energy, emotion, and loud bleachers. Raider Nation will not want to miss home showdowns with cross-town rivals Madison Academy (2/17) and Westminster (2/23). Area games against Buckhorn and Hazel Green always bring playoff intensity well before the postseason, and the team will be counting on a strong home crowd for those contests.

One of the season’s marquee events arrives on Saturday, February 28, when Randolph takes on Guntersville at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium. This special showcase will be played on the same turf used by the HCFC pro team. This is a rare opportunity for the Raiders to perform in front of a wider soccer audience on a big stage.

The story of Raider soccer this spring isn’t just about the varsity program, either. The Middle School Girls’ team is back, with more than twenty 7th- and 8th-graders who trained hard in the off-season and are eager to compete against local rivals once again. Coach Phil Givens and his team deserve loud support as they return to action and continue building the future of the program.