When Russellville Girls Soccer held its end-of-season awards program, it marked successes in an historic season.

The fall of 2018 saw Russellville field its first-ever girls soccer team. RHS has had several girls play soccer, including Hall of Famer Sara Schauberger, but never before has an all-female team worn the Black and Gold.

Retired state trooper Eric Evans, who has extensive experience coaching boys soccer, was charged with putting the Lady Panthers together into a team.

Along the way they made more history by winning their first match, beating Monroe County on Oct. 2. Anastasia Dowlen scored the historic first-ever goal on an assist from Jayce Buchner.

Awards presented were as follows:

Offensive Player of the Year - Jayce Buchner

Defensive Player of the Year - Brooklyn Ray

Panther Award Winner- Emily Stapleton

Most Improved Player award- Marta Hughes

Shown in the photo are, from left, back row - Lucy Graves, Marta Hughes,Jayce Buchner and Fraley Watkins; front row - Emily Stapleton, Brooklyn Ray, Makiyah Morrow and Anastasia Dowlen.