YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | The 2024 season for the Young Harris College women's soccer team was defined not by how it began, but by how it ended. 

After opening the year 0-4-1, the Mountain Lions rallied to go 9-2-2 in their final 13 matches, clinching the Conference Carolinas Southwest Division Championship and earning the right to host a playoff match for the first time in program history (DII era). That postseason game was a thriller, with YH taking down Mount Olive 2-1 in front of a home crowd at the Soccer and Lacrosse Field. Shania Harris scored the first goal of that match, cementing her legacy at Young Harris, by scoring the most points in a single season (NCAA era). 

"Every season has its challenges, and this year was no exception," said head coach Avram Allen. "We faced a rough start, but what truly matters is how we responded. Winning the Southwest Division, hosting and winning a home playoff game was definitely something special. When faced with adversity, we were resilient. We never lost sight of our goals as a team. Last season was a testament to our hard work and commitment to finish strong. I couldn't be prouder of how our players came together and continued to compete for one another. Last year's team left a great foundation, and we look to continue to build upon this going into the 2025 season." 

That strong finish was powered by a mix of veterans and rising talent, including senior forward Shania Harris, who closed her Mountain Lion career with a historic offensive season. Harris led the team with 13 goals and eight assists, recording 34 points and two game-winning goals. Her standout moment came in late September when she netted four goals in a dominant win over Erskine, earning her Mountain Lion of the Week and Conference Carolinas Player of the Week honors. 

"That day against Erskine was incredibly special for me, not just because I scored four goals, but because I realized we found the form and capabilities during that game, which could take us to the next level," Harris said. "Coach was excited to see me step up, because he knows what I had in store for that team." 

For Harris, the turning point came when confidence in her abilities aligned with a deeper connection among teammates. "The moment we found our form, started to communicate properly, and work together, we were unstoppable." 

Now graduated, Harris leaves behind a message for the 2025 team as they prepare to write the next chapter: "I hope they have a great season, continue to work hard, take risks and be brave. Also, enjoy the game while playing, because it goes by quickly." 

One of the players leading the charge into 2025 is Emily Brennaman, a rising senior defender who played 1,177 minutes across all 18 matches in 2024. She scored three goals and added an assist, despite recording just four shots on goal; highlighting her efficiency on both ends of the field. 

"My junior year was overall successful and fun," said Brennaman. "One of our favorite moments as a team was that home win against Mount Olive in the first round of the conference tournament." 

One quote that stuck with the team, Brennaman said, came from assistant coach Michael Ohana: "Bend but don't break," a message that embodied the team's grit during their 13-match surge to end the season. 

Team chemistry, she said, will be the key to another successful season. 

"This past season the team was very cohesive on and off the field. With lots of returners and a strong bond already formed, I think it will carry over and continue to grow with the new incoming players." 

Off the pitch, the team stays close through karaoke nights, dip nights, movie marathons, dinners at Cancun, and even an annual apple picking trip. 

When asked for one tradition that might surprise fans, Emily responded: "Every fall, we host a karaoke night just for transfers and freshmen." 

Looking ahead, her personal goal is to score off a set piece. For the team, the mission is clear: finish top four in the Conference Carolinas standings and make a deeper postseason run in 2025. 

With a division title in hand and momentum on their side, the Mountain Lions are poised to take the next step—thanks to a resilient 2024 squad that never gave up, laying the strongest foundation yet under head coach Avram Allen and assistant Michael Ohana.