Taylor Green
Two talented Chattanooga soccer players who were on the same team from age 8 through high school will be playing on the same field in Cleveland, Tn., on Friday in two "Super" contests.
Doogan Boyd. father of one of the players, tells the story, "On Friday at 4 and 7 p.m., the Lincoln Memorial University Lady Railsplitters will be playing #1 Columbus State in the NCAA D2 Women's Sweet 16 Southeast Super Regional Soccer Championships at Lee University in Cleveland. Following that game, Lee University will be hosting Mississippi College in the NCAA D2 Women's Sweet 16 South Super Regional Soccer Championships at Lee University.
"Here is the very unique and heart-warming story rapped inside those two games tomorrow in Cleveland. They will involve two young women and friends who played soccer together from the time they were 8 years old when their dads together coached them on the same team for a few years, to when they won a state championship and played for a National U15 Championship playing select travel soccer together for Coach Dean Wilson's ERSA 97 soccer team.
"These two young ladies also ended up at Notre Dame playing together for Coach Schermerhorn playing in 4 state championship tournament to include a state championship title game their senior year at Notre Dame.
"After 12 years of playing Select Soccer together, 12 years of their dads carrying them to private training sessions, and after playing high school soccer together at Notre Dame, those two girls, their dads and family would both be separated as the two moved on to the next chapter in their lives.
"Both young ladies were fortunate enough to be recruited by numerous colleges to play at the collegiate level. But neither were recruited by the same college teams and the days of playing together would end The run had ended.
"Courtney Boyd would sign with the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters to play soccer and pursue a career in Nursing. Taylor Green would sign with Lee University and pursue a career in teaching.
"Tomorrow, these two young ladies who have had remarkable careers with tons of accolades and awards at all levels between them will be playing in their own respective NCAA Sweet 16 Super Regional Championships tomorrow on the same pitch. With their families once again together cheering them own. Just different games. Back to back. Courtney playing as an outside midfielder for LMU and Taylor playing goalie for Lee.
"The kicker to this story is if Courtney and Lincoln Memorial University along with Taylor and Lee University were to both win their respective Sweet 16 Super Regional Championships tomorrow evening in Cleveland; Courtney and Taylor would once again be joined on the pitch again after four years apart as seniors in college playing soccer together. But this time, on opposing teams competing for a NCAA Super 8 Quarterfinal bidding for a trip to National Semis & Championship game the next week in Pittsburgh."
Courtney Boyd