Saltillo's McCarley Anchors Girls Soccer Dynasty

Four-year starting goalkeeper led team to four straight state titles.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:05am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a high school girls soccer match, with the players and field broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes of green, blue, and ochre colors, capturing the dynamic energy of the game.Saltillo High School's four-year starting goalkeeper Lynley McCarley anchored the team's dominant championship run through her consistent play and leadership.Saltillo Today

Lynley McCarley, the four-year starting goalkeeper for the Saltillo High School girls soccer team, has been named the Daily Journal's 2025-26 Girls Soccer Player of the Year. McCarley was a key part of Saltillo's dominant run, helping the Tigers win the state championship in each of her four seasons on the team.

Why it matters

McCarley's consistent excellence in goal was a major factor in Saltillo's unprecedented four-year championship streak. As the first player in program history to earn a Division I scholarship, her success highlights the strength of the Saltillo girls soccer program and its ability to develop top-tier talent.

The details

McCarley took over as Saltillo's starting goalkeeper as a freshman, replacing a five-year starter. She quickly established herself as one of the hardest workers on the team and excelled on the pitch, allowing only three goals in 16 playoff games over her four-year career. McCarley posted 21 shutouts in 28 games during her senior season and was named MVP of the state championship game.

  • McCarley started as Saltillo's goalkeeper as a freshman in 2022.
  • Saltillo won the state championship in each of McCarley's four seasons from 2022 to 2025.
  • McCarley was named the Daily Journal's Girls Soccer Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season.

The players

Lynley McCarley

The four-year starting goalkeeper for the Saltillo High School girls soccer team, who led the Tigers to four straight state championships.

Megan Davis

The five-year starting goalkeeper for Saltillo High School before McCarley, who went on to play at Itawamba Community College.

Matthew Reeder

The head coach of the Saltillo High School girls soccer team, who guided the Tigers to four consecutive state titles with McCarley in goal.

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What they’re saying

“I've put in a lot of hard work, and I'm thankful to the people that have pushed me to be the best player that I can be. And all my teammates kept pushing me hard. It just feels good.”

— Lynley McCarley, Saltillo High School Girls Soccer Player

“Our defense has always done a phenomenal job in those games. The whole team has stepped up. But even when those mistakes happen on our back end, Lynley has always been there, solid for us, keeping everything square, keeping everybody together, and doing her job.”

— Matthew Reeder, Saltillo High School Girls Soccer Coach

What’s next

McCarley will continue her soccer career at Arkansas State University, becoming the first player in Saltillo's program history to play at the Division I level.

The takeaway

Lynley McCarley's consistent excellence in goal was a key factor in Saltillo High School's girls soccer dynasty, which saw the team win four straight state championships. Her success highlights the strength of the Saltillo program and its ability to develop top-tier talent.