The Future Shines Bright for SAA Stars Soccer

In just his second year as St. Agnes Academy, Varsity Soccer Coach Alek Marchand is proudly watching as his team advances to the State Tournament. This Friday, October 17, the Stars will take on Lipscomb Academy from Nashville in a quarterfinal matchup. The season has been an incredible journey for the team, and we are proud to share their successes!

“The success we’ve experienced this year really started last season, when we set out to establish with the players what the standards of the St. Agnes Academy soccer program should be and how we could work together to implement them. We decided upon three core values: Faith, Accountability, and Discipline,” explained Coach Marchand. “Our 2025 season began in early June with 7:00 a.m. practices and two-a-days twice a week. Once school began, all players attended a weekly prayer service, which not only deepened their faith but also brought them closer together as a team.”

The Stars head into the state tournament this week with an improved record of 8-5-2 reflecting the dedication and work ethic of this team. Coach shared, “I’ve been so proud to see how much the players have grown—not just in skill, but in confidence, teamwork, and leadership. The success we’ve had this year is directly related to their hard work, commitment, and belief in one another. Every player has embraced the challenge of improving each day, and that’s what makes this team so special.”

Team captains are Laney Aaron (’26), Emma Casey (’27), Anna Fox (’26), and Mary Caroline Mungle (’27). The leading scorer headed into the tournament is Mary Caroline Mungle, and the leader in assists is Bella Coletta (’27).

The SAA soccer team is also being celebrated for their accomplishments off the field. The team was recently awarded a Team Academic Award for having a collective GPA of 3.92 for the 2024-2025 season.  This award, given by the United Soccer Coaches Association, recognizes a program’s commitment to achievement on the field and in the classroom.

“This award speaks volumes about the character and discipline of our players. We consistently remind our girls that being a student-athlete means student comes first. We emphasize time management, accountability, and giving their best effort both on the field and in the classroom. This recognition shows the mentality of our players — they’re driven, focused, and understand that success comes from consistency and hard work in every area of life.”

Coach Alek has also embraced the importance building a culture that will carry the SAA soccer program into the future. “Last year, we introduced a new tradition by taking the team to the Smoky Mountain Cup in Gatlinburg, TN, giving our players the opportunity to face strong out-of-state competition while also building lifelong memories. From team bonding activities like a karaoke competition to a day at Dollywood—and even the seven-hour bus rides each way—those moments have helped shape our team culture.”

His favorite new tradition, however, is Junior High Appreciation Night which was celebrated for the first time this fall.

“This night gives us a chance to celebrate the younger players who represent the future of our program. We want our 8th graders to feel valued and inspired—to see what it’s like to be part of the St. Agnes soccer program. The small gifts we gave are just a token of appreciation, but the bigger message is that they belong here, and that we’re excited for what’s ahead for them. It’s important to show them that the connection between our junior high and high school teams is strong and that we’re all one program representing the Stars today, tomorrow, and always.”

For Coach Alek, the future of SAA is bright. “Coaching the Stars is truly an honor, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for this program.”

Please come out and support the Stars at home this Friday at 4:15 p.m.!