Aledo Ladycats soccer coach Bryan Johnson remembers facing a dilemma a few years ago concerning one of his best players on the team now.
He was watching Emery Thompson, all of 5 feet, 2 inches tall, playing soccer in middle school. While he could see she was obviously a good player, he asked himself a question concerning her possibilities at the physical varsity level.
“She was the smallest girl in middle school. I thought, ‘There’s no way I can get her on the field,’” he recalled. “And then it was, how can I take her off the field?”
He hasn’t done much of the latter. Thompson, whose nickname is Tiny, is now a senior captain and has been a starting member of the Ladycats defense all four years of her high school career.
She has lettered all four seasons with the Ladycats, was named the district defensive MVP as a sophomore and first team all-district as a junior, along with more accolades almost certainly coming this season.
She was also named all-region twice by the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches, selected all-state by the United Soccer Coaches and is a two-time national champion with her club team out of Fort Worth.
And now, for the first time she and her teammates are district champions. The Ladycats captured the District 5-5A championship after finishing as runners-up in Thompson’s first three seasons.
“This means a lot, not only for me, but for the team,” she said. “It’s a testament to the hard work we put in. We have a strong bond on the field and off.”
The Ladycats, 15-4 overall, won district with a 10-2 record. After falling 2-0 at Saginaw Chisholm Trail on Feb. 21, they outscored their final four opponents 16-0.
In all, Aledo outscored their opponents 60-20, the fewest goals Thompson and the Ladycats defense have surrendered in her varsity career. They also posted eight shutouts and held five other opponents to a single goal.
The Ladycats were playing their bidistrict match against Birdville (14-5) at press time.
Aledo has advanced to the second round of the playoffs each of the past two seasons.
Not only is Thompson a standout soccer player, she’s also a superb student. She is the frontrunner to be the valedictorian of this year’s AHS graduating class with a 4.72 grade point average.
“She’s really smart, just a bright individual,” Johnson said. “She comes from a wonderful family.”
Thompson said she plans to major in finance and minor in economics with a focus on business analytics or data science.
“First, I thought about the medical field and then I realized I despise germs,” she said with a laugh.
Her mother is a chief financial officer for a Fort Worth company. She watched her mom and started asking questions, which piqued her interest in finance.
“I was able to see how much math is in the business world,” she said. “I like the ambiguity and the concrete logic that goes with it.”
Of course, lots of schools are clamoring for her to join their student body. As for which one she will choose, she said, “It’s definitely a million dollar question.
“The dream school is MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston). If I get accepted I would get to play soccer there.”
Her academic accolades are equal to her soccer honors, with highlights being named the Daniel Ninth Grade Center Female Student of the Year as a freshman, being president of Leading Ladies and secretary of the National Honor Society and being named academic all-district in soccer and track each of the past three years.
And she was recently voted Miss AHS.
“It’s definitely not something I take lightly. I don’t take it for granted,” she said humbly. “I definitely want to leave an impact with the underclassmen, have the confidence to take leadership roles.”
Thompson also wants to study abroad while in college.
“I want to work in London and live there for a couple of years,” she said.
Johnson said having such intelligence and fortitude is also a huge benefit on the soccer field.
“She studies and understands the game. She watches video,” he said. “She’s a vocal and physical leader.
“She’s always got a comment at halftime about what’s happening on the field. If she’s not talking, something’s not right.”
Thompson began soccer at the age of 3. It was evident — sort of — that she was a natural in the sport.
“It’s the beginning sport every parent throws their child into,” she said, adding with a chuckle, “I never cried, and that was a sign I liked it.”
Before long she loved it, and that love has continued to grow.
“I like the fast pace, but there’s a freedom to it that I love,” she said. “You let your body play the game.”
Thompson comes from an athletic family. Her dad played college baseball at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, her older brother played football at Aledo, her older sister was an athletic trainer, and she has some cousins who have played soccer.
And while she wasn’t born in Aledo, she got there as quickly as she could. She was born in Mansfield and her family moved to Aledo when she was three months old.
Like all seniors this time of year, Thompson realizes she has more senior year days behind her than in front of her. While she knows the end of her high school career is approaching, she understands the memories will be with her forever.
“Making varsity as a freshman was a big thing. I’m a very competitive person, and that was such a big honor and accomplishment in my book,” she said. “Making the playoffs every year is also special.
“And so many friends. Some of my best friends I met through soccer.
“And definitely class work is a big thing. It’s setting in what it really means and how hard I worked for it.”
When asked how she juggles it all, Thompson replies simply, “People ask how I handle pressure. My family, friends and coaches are all supportive. And I’m very supportive of my faith. I’m going to end up where the Lord wants me.”
As he prepares to say goodbye to one of the most memorable players to come through his program — who, in fact, helped him register his 300th career victory this season — Johnson said with a smile, “She proved me wrong — and I’m so glad she did.”
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