St. Patrick Lady Irish soccer looking to three-peat as MHSAA state championship after dedicating the season to one of their own

This weekend e have six high school soccer teams competing for state championships in Jackson. For some this is a chance to their first state title in school history. For two teams this weekend is a chance to win back-to-back-to-back state titles.

The St. Patrick lady Irish soccer team has gotten used to winning and winning at the highest level. Over the last three seasons 57 games and two state championships. On Friday they will look to add one more win and one more state title to their totals.

“It’s really exciting,” head coach Angela McClure said. “The girls have been putting in a lot of work. We started this summer with camp and we have been rolling ever since. They show up every day, put in an enormous amount of work and their team chemistry is just really good. They are a great group of girls on and off the pitch. We are excited to defend our title.”

“It would feel amazing,” senior Anna Katherine Thriffiley said. “My sophomore year was the first time we ever won and we have won since then. Hopefully we can make it a three-peat.”

The team will take on Tupelo Christian on Friday at 5:00 P.M. at Ridgeland high school in Jackson, MS. This will be the third straight year the two teams have faced each other in the state final, something junior Nora Mestayer says will work in their favor.

“I am very excited to get to Friday,” Mestayer said. “Honestly, getting to see them again, we know it’s kind of a little comforting just knowing the team and kind of being a little familiar with them. We can kind of have confidence in our eyes especially with our season so far.”

This team has something that the last two did not – extra motivation. At the beginning of the season the girls dedicated their season to their teammate, Katherine Adams, who was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. Coach McClure, Thriffiley and Katherine’s sister Ella Adams spoke on what it would mean to bring a state title home for their teammate.

“It would just mean a lot because, I mean, when Katherine played she put everything out there,” coach McClure said. “She has put everything out there in her battle too. They have gotten some good news recently and to be able to top that with a state championship this year would be really special.”

“It would be amazing,” Thriffiley said. “Ever since we found out about her diagnosis we always said this season is for her. To see that it is coming true means a lot.”

“It would mean a lot to me and my sister,” Ella Adams said. “For her, after the year she has had, it would be really great if we won. I think she would be so proud of everyone and the work that they put in.”

Adams told WXXV sports that Katherine will be in attendance on Friday cheering on her team from the stands. Good luck to the lady Irish in bringing home their third straight state championship!