Silverdale Baptist girls' soccer program reaches new heights

Oct. 21—When Elle Lam isn't setting personal records in the gym, where she has become a CrossFit star, the driven Silverdale Baptist Academy senior is shutting down opposing attacks on the soccer field.

Lam's defensive prowess helped the Lady Seahawks clinch the first region championship in program history with a 2-0 road victory over archrival Boyd Buchanan last week, and now Silverdale (11-1-2) — ranked No. 3 in TSSAA Division II-A — will try to extend its historic season when it hosts St. George's (9-1-2) in a state quarterfinal at 1 p.m. Saturday

"This team is really driven," said Lam, who is in the 97th percentile of girls ages 16-17 worldwide in CrossFit competition. "We have worked together so hard ever since this summer, and we have a lot of skill through every grade. But our will to win is the thing that elevates us the most."

With a strong back line that includes Lam, the Lady Seahawks have allowed only 11 goals this year and have outscored their competition 11-1 in the postseason. The play and leadership of Lam and fellow senior Christian Echols have had a positive effect on Gabriela Fernandes and Maggie Placer, who have made an impact as freshmen this season, along with keeper Bella Steele.

Silverdale's attack has been just as bright.

Sophomore midfielder Addie Chapman has been the sparkplug to the offense, with the fleet-footed creator credited with more than 20 assists this season. Avery Levitt, a senior, has also reached double digits in assists.

"Addie has been able to set the pace for the type of style of play we want," Lady Seahawks coach Scott Chapman said. "She is a very creative player and sees a lot of things others don't see. The girls have done a great job moving off of her and becoming options."

Silverdale has a 63-11 scoring advantage this season, and that effort has been led by a pair of freshmen, with striker Brooke Bolton and midfielder Ella Kate Sullivan having combined for nearly 40 goals. Bolton has four hat tricks this year.

"Brooke has been a winger for most of her soccer career, but this season we asked her to play striker," Chapman said. "We like for our strikers to play with their back to the goal and make decisions from there instead of just running and beating the defense down the middle. She has come a long way and has a booming leg."

Caroline Upchurch has also reached double digits in goals, and the senior's speed down the right sideline and skill with crossing passes have helped the offense, too. Meanwhile, the recent addition of sophomore Abigail Witten at the left side of the attack has done wonders.

Since becoming eligible to play for the Lady Seahawks, Witten has scored in both games — a 2-1 victory over Christian Academy of Knoxville and the shutout of Boyd Buchanan for the DII-A East Region title.

"Both Abigail and her sister Anne-Marie never missed a practice or game and worked just as hard as anybody this season," Chapman said. "This team has formed a really nice chemistry since the preseason, and they came into the lineup and have not missed a beat this postseason."

Silverdale's next objective is securing the first state tournament victory in program history, and it would make the Lady Seahawks one of the final four teams remaining in the bracket. That would also bring an opportunity to play close to home again, with Baylor School hosting the DII-A semifinals next week as the Chattanooga area has again become home to the TSSAA girls' soccer state tournaments.

Chattanooga Christian and Girls Preparatory School will also be host sites for state matches, and CHI Memorial Stadium in East Ridge — the home of the Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL League One — will host all five title games on Oct. 29-30.

Lam and her fellow seniors have a chance to add more special moments in their final days as Silverdale soccer players.

"This team has jelled from top to bottom," Lam said. "We are all one and have a common goal in mind. Beating Boyd Buchanan for our first region championship was so memorable. We are going to keep giving it our all and have confidence we can keep this ride going."

Said Upchurch: "When we all work together, we are really tough to beat. We can dominate the field when we are all moving together, working hard and on the same page. I know we will be locked in Saturday at home."

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.