Underwood, Oak Ridge eye redemption after injury-plagued season
As she prepares for her second season at the helm, Oak Ridge High School girls soccer Coach Trenna Underwood isn’t shy about what she wants.
“My expectations are that we’re going to win the district, win a region semifinal, make it to substate, win that game and reach the state tournament,” Underwood said. “I don’t know if we’ll win the region, but anything less will be a huge disappointment.”
The Lady Wildcats battled injuries last year, winning just eight games before falling to Knoxville Central in a penalty-kick shootout in the District 3-AAA semifinals.
“Everybody knew last year could’ve been our season if we’d stayed healthy,” Underwood said. “If we had, we would’ve won the district without a doubt. Losing to Central on PKs was a dagger.”
A major boost comes with the return of junior goalkeeper Marleigh Frazier, an all-state pick as a freshman who missed 2024 with an ACL injury.
“She’s playing really well, and considering we lost twice to Central on PKs, having her back is huge,” Underwood said. “Last year became more of a mental challenge after hearing Marleigh was out.”
Oak Ridge brings back 14 seniors and more depth than in recent years.
Key returners include Hayven Laurendine (junior, midfielder); Lilah Kim (senior, forward); Noel Norstedt (senior, moving from defender to forward); Elena Vogt (senior, defender); Gaby Jensen (junior, defender); Lynsee Pennington (sophomore, midfielder); Kaley Duffle (senior, defender); Hannah Morris (junior, forward); Mollie Massey (senior defender returning from ACL) and Estrella Perez-Rodriguez (senior, midfielder).
New faces include freshman defender Madelyn Frazier, Marleigh’s sister, and senior Evelyn Eubanks, a versatile goalkeeper and midfielder who starred in the basketball team’s state run.
Senior captain and defender Hanna Pelletier continues to rehab from an ACL injury but remains a presence.
“Hanna is out, but she’s at practice every day,” Underwood said. “She was our captain last year and the girls love her. If we make it to state, she might get to play in one of those games.”
While the Lady Wildcats are aiming high in 2025, Underwood said the team is also focused on the future.
“We have a talented freshman class, and a few could start this year,” she said. “We’ll develop them for the long term.”
Oak Ridge opens its season Aug. 19 at Knoxville Catholic.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Blaine Stadium.
