Saltillo’s McCarley has been dynasty’s foundational piece
Saltillo girls soccer has been a monolith for the past four seasons, and one of the biggest reasons why is getting her due. Lynley McCarley, the Tigers’ four-year starting goalkeeper, is the Daily Journal’s 2025-26 Girls Soccer Player of the Year. McCarley is the second Tiger in three years to win the honor.
O. J. Miller won it in 2023-24.
“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,” McCarley said. “And all my teammates kept pushing me hard. It just feels good.
” McCarley had big shoes to fill upon arrival. She was replacing a five-year starter in Megan Davis, who went on to play at Itawamba Community College. However, McCarley established herself as one of the hardest workers on the team early on.
That eventually paid off on the pitch, especially in the postseason. The Saltillo Tigers won the state championship in each of McCarley’s four years on the team. The Tigers played 16 playoff games in that span, in which McCarley only allowed three goals.