The Lady Raiders are gearing up for another shot at the state championship this year. Under the leadership of Coach Rob Simon, they made it to the title game last season, only to fall short. Rather than be disappointed, it only has motivated his team to take care of business this year. With an experienced squad led by a trio of seniors and an experienced junior, Coach Simon is confident that this team is capable of achieving the ultimate prize. And do not be fooled; these young ladies are just as successful in the classroom as they are on the pitch.
Julianna DeSalle
Senior
Number: 4
Position: Goal Keeper
Parents: John and Janet DeSalle
Siblings: (Sister) Jillian
Influences: My parents; Lt Col. Martha McSally (first female pilot to fly in combat)
Achievements: (Athletic) ODP State Player, National ODP Pool Super Y, three-year Northwest Florida Daily News All-Area Team, Navarre Press Athlete of the Week; PNJ Athlete of the Week; (Academic) NJROTC Honor Cadet; VFW Citizenship and Leadership Award, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society; Navy Recruiting District New Orleans Personal Appearance Award
Colleges: Interested in United States Naval Academy (wants to study systems engineering and eventually fly jets for the United States Marine Corp)
Mariah McKinney
Senior
Number: 5
Position: Defender
Parents: James and Kara Pratt
Siblings: Gabrielle, Zoe, Kaiden, Ezra, and one on the way
Influences: My mother and Coach Simon
Achievements: (Athletic) District and Regional Champs, 2014-15 Team MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year; (Academic) A/B Honor Roll, member of FCA
College: Committed to Thomas University (Thomasville, Ga.); wants to become an FBI agent
Cat Baccarini
Senior
Number: 7
Position: Center Midfielder
Parents: Dan and Jodi Baccarini
Siblings: Daniel, Jimi, Lauren, Elizabeth, and Matthew
Influences: My parents and Coach Simon
Acievements: (Athletic) Alabama State ODP, played for the W League W20 team, started in National Championship match for the W20 team, won District and Regionals; (Academic) 4.1 weighted GPA, will have close to 50 college credits upon high school graduation
Colleges: Interested in Faulkner University and Spring Hill College, wants to pursue creative writing, education, or nursing
Personal Goal: To learn the game from a different perspective while recovering from my ACL injury
Emily Madril
Junior
Number: 10
Position: Forward
Parents: Robert and Rhonda Madril
Siblings: – Amanda, Alexandria, Robert, Lizzy (twin, also plays on varsity soccer team), Anakah (plays on JV soccer team)
Influences: My father, Coach Simon, and my twin sister Lizzy
Achievements: (Athletic) Dairy Farmer 4A Player of the Year, NSCAA Florida Player of the Year, NSCAA All-American; (Academic) A/B Honor Roll, NSCAA Team Academic All-American
Colleges: Verbally committed to FSU, not sure on plan of study
Goals: To win state and better last year’s personal record for goals and assists.
Carly Lanter
Senior
Number: 11
Position: Midfielder
Parents: Phillip and Ginny Lanter
Sibling: (Brother) Jordan
Influences: My parents, Jill Doughty, Coach Carlos
Achievements: (Athletic) Alabama ODP, District and Regional Champs; (Academic) 3.5 GPA, Dually enrolled currently at Pensacola State
Colleges: Interested in University of West Florida, University of West Georgia
Personal Goals: To live a happy and fulfilling life; To win the state championship
Navarre High School Lady Raiders Soccer
photography by Amber Fletcher
