Column: Lynchburg-Clay’s 102-game non-loss SHAC streak won’t be equaled

Certain things in high school athletics catch your attention from time to time, and that was the case a few years ago when a streak was being built by the Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs soccer program. 

Being around Highland County sports since Sept. ’06, I'd seen the Lady Mustangs lose a game in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference a time or two, but never thought about it as there are many games played in Highland County throughout a school season, and inevitably losses happen. 

The Lady Mustangs had quietly been building a streak without a loss in conference play, as the ’17 season saw that streak jump to over 50 consecutive games, as it began with three conference games remaining in the ’10 season. 

After winning those three final SHAC games in ’10, LCHS went on a conference streak without a loss that consisted of conference seasons of 7-0 (2011), 6-0-1 (2012), 7-0 (’13, ’14 ’15, ’16, ’17), and for good measure in ’18 they were also 7-0 that season, then taking the non-loss streak to 59 consecutive games. 

In ’19 the Lady Mustangs tied once at 6-0-1, and even a worldwide pandemic didn’t slow down their SHAC streak, as the COVID season of ’20 saw the non-loss streak continue with another 7-0 record in the SHAC standings. 

In ’21 the season was a little different, but still no losses, as they had three ties with a 2-0-3 record in SHAC play. In ’22, LCHS went 5-0-1, then in ’24 the Lady Mustangs had a SHAC mark of 6-0-1.

For the ’25 season, Lynchburg-Clay was 3-0-1 after four SHAC games, and during that span the Lady Mustangs celebrated the milestone of a 100th consecutive game without a SHAC loss. 

The streak that began on Sept. 30, 2010 ended Wednesday, Oct. 8, a span of 5,488 days without a SHAC loss, which is a span of time that should be remembered for quite some time. 

It is tough to disagree with Lynchburg-Clay head coach Dennis West — who has coached all 15 seasons of the streak — saying the following after the streak ended with a 2-1 loss against the Fairfield Lady Lions on Oct. 8:

“Nobody in this league will ever match that streak. Nobody. The girls are upset, but I said, it happens. Streaks end, then you just start another one.” West said. “You’ve just got to move on, play hard, learn from your mistakes and keep playing, and do better the next time.”

Watching games from every Lynchburg-Clay team that was involved in the streak, there are a few things that stand out, including all of the players who have been a part of it. Whether being on the field, or some becoming assistant coaches, they also brought success in SHAC play, and in non-conference as well.

 It is amazing the pipeline of players the Lady Mustangs have had during that span, because it was year-after-year consistency in not only conference games, but all games on the schedule, as LCHS won many district championships plus two regional championships, allowing them to play in the State Final 4 on two occasions. 

The wins and ties in the games saw LCHS not only win big many times, but they battled adversity with close calls, played in inclement weather situations, and even, quite possibly, had to get some words of motivation from Coach West from time to time. 

There were many All-SHAC, All-District and All-Ohio players on those teams, but the teams also had players who didn’t make the offensive stat sheets who played tough defense, made the gritty plays while battling for possession of the ball, and all the keepers who had to make stops at the goal when called upon. 

This wasn’t just a team effort each season, but an entire program effort from the youth leagues all the way to the varsity program, as the younger players — or players who weren’t even born when the streak started — mostly came through the youth programs in Lynchburg and once in high school, were ready to play for the varsity team, keeping the team rolling. 

Seeing the streak build from year to year and even in parts of two different decades was exciting to watch for sure. 

The streak has officially ended, but the Lady Mustangs’ program is special and one that will get rolling again in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference. 

For now, it is OK to look back and remember all the excitement this streak brought to many, and all of the success it brought to the Lady Mustangs’ program, because no program will equal the streak built by the Lady Mustangs.