prepxtra

Christian Academy of Knoxville coach Nathan Pifer knew he had the makings for a state-championship soccer team this fall.

All he had to do was coach it, and that's what he did.

Pifer, the News Sentinel's PrepXtra soccer coach of the year, led the Lady Warriors to the 2008 Class A/AA state title, his second in three seasons as CAK's girls coach.

"Our defense was strong with experience and we had a deep bench," Pifer said. "It was really a team with the whole gamut. We were strong at every position and we could sub in and we wouldn't change. It was really a coach's dream team."

CAK (23-2-1) was unbeaten against Class A/AA opponents with losses against Class AAA Bearden and West, and a tie against Houston.

CAK's defense was comprised of seniors Melynne Denton, Callie Jernigan, Stephanie Pearson, and Justine Belk, all starting for the third consecutive year, while junior Alyssa Hammaker moved to goalkeeper for the first time.

"The defense was the calming point of the team," Pifer said. "We had leadership back there and confidence we could do it. It was good to have four seniors in front of a new keeper. I think it calmed (Hammaker) down and gave her confidence."

Pifer has made a smooth transition from college coach to CAK girls coach and assistant principal.

He spent 21 years as a college coach with stops at King College (men for three years), Montreat-Anderson Junior College (men for two years), Midwestern State, Texas (men for 10 years, women for two years), and Tennessee-Martin (women for six years).

Pifer started looking for a career change about four years ago while at UT Martin in part so he could watch his sons, David and Chris, play college soccer.

David is a sophomore at Covenant College - where his father played 1981-83 - and Chris is a senior at CAK. Nathan rarely misses one of David's games, which are mostly on weekends.

"I was coaching (college) women mainly and I knew if I continued I wouldn't get to see them play their collegiate careers," Pifer said. "This (administration) was something I always wanted to do. CAK is a wonderful place."

There are several spots to fill - Pifer also loses senior midfielders Julie Thompson and Elizabeth Bevard - but there is plenty of talent coming back.

"We have some strong ones (for next season)," Pifer said. "We're excited. The next group will step up."