Driven to return
Lady Admirals look to bounce back in 2026
The Lady Admirals saw the season come to a screeching halt with a loss to Knoxville West in the District 4-AAA Tournament semifinals as their comeback effort came up short at Bill Wilson Field.
“If you asked me, that would be the one game that I would like to have back,” said Farragut coach Jessica Stephens Burkhart, who begins her fourth year as head coach at her alma mater. “I think that was a game where the players felt like they earned more than they got.
“And I think that game has been a motivating force for us. They took that loss hard.”
The Lady Admirals, who finished third in the district’s regular-season standings, will kick off the 2026 campaign with a match against Powell on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the Farragut Soccer Stadium, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
Expectations are high at FHS, but the Lady Ads play in the toughest league in the state as their district schedule includes foes such as Bearden (which has won four of the last five Class AAA state championships), West (which reached the state sectionals last season); Hardin Valley Academy and Maryville, both of whom share lofty aspirations. Lenoir City and William Blount also will look to play the role of spoiler this season.
“Our expectation is to be in the top tier of our district by the end of the season,” Burkhart said. “But our district, it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s the toughest across the state, and it doesn’t get any easier, that’s for sure. I coach with some of the best coaches in the state. We want in a position where we can control our own destiny.
“All the teams in our district have set a standard and Bearden has carried that standard lately.”
Farragut will look to play team soccer this season.
“This team is not selfish,” Burkhart said.
Top returners for the Lady Admirals include: Ada Baker (senior, forward); Carina Plowchan (senior. midfielder); Ava Upshaw (junior, forward); Meghan Schimmeal (sophomore, forward); Emery Wylie (sophomore, goalkeeper); Leana Maier (junior, defender); Reagan Louchart (junior, defender) and Makena Bishop (junior, defender).
Freshmen Emma Kate Smith (forward/midfielder/defender) and Oliveah Love (midfielder) will begin their high school careers and be impact players this season.
