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Paisley Jackson and Julia Nehring have shared the soccer pitch for what feels like a lifetime, so it is only fitting that, with their time on the soccer field winding down that the duo is planning out their next adventure together. In just a few months, Jackson and Nehring will go from sharing the soccer field to sharing a dorm room. The Lafayette Christian seniors are set to attend Georgia Southern starting in the fall, and the inseparable pair won’t be splitting any time soon.

“She had been planning on going there since last summer, and I started to look into i,t and they have my major there, and we are best friends and do everything together, so it just made sense,” Jackson said. “I’m definitely very excited about it.”

Jackson and Nehring are truly lifelong friends. There is hardly a time in either of their lives when the other one was not present.

“I have known her since birth,” Jackson said 

“I don’t even remember meeting Paisley. She’s just always been there,” Nehring added, laughing as the duo reminisced. 

The soccer field and volleyball courts at Lafayette Christian have been home for the duo and places to strengthen their bond.

“Sometimes at practice we get a little off because we like to have fun,” Nehring said as the duo shared a chuckle. “The coach will have to come over and correct us.”

The Lafayette Christian girls’ soccer team was not in the healthiest of places when the two arrived at the high school level four years ago. Through all the ups and downs, Jackson and Nehring have been beacons of positivity. That suits them well now that they are the only two seniors on the squad, as the duo has stepped up to be real leaders for the team this year.

“This year’s team is so special because we have been playing with each other for a long time now, and we have such great chemistry,” Nehring said. “It’s like a family.”

Through all the coaching changes and position changes, Jackson and Nehring have been steady hands. 

“We’ve both started since our freshman year, and I think I’ve played every position on offense, and this year I’m playing defense,” Nehring said, flashing a big grin.

Jackson made the transition from midfield to striker this season, and it has paid dividends as she leads the team in goals. 

Jackson and Nehring are pushing the team to new heights in their tenure this season. The Cougars won the region championship and will go into the GAPPS state playoffs as a one seed. The quest for a state championship starts on Saturday for the Cougars, and their senior leaders plan on going out with a bang.

“I think we have what it takes this year,” Jackson added. “We have the mindset that we can beat any of the teams in the playoffs.”

With graduation a month away, time is dwindling down Jackson and Nehring’s time at Lafayette Christian. No matter how far life’s journey takes them from Troup County, the duo will be Cougars for life. 

“I remember watching girls play when I was younger, and they didn’t even realize the impression they were making on me,” Nehring said. “None of those girls who were playing here 10 years ago realize the impact that they had on me, so I hope we can pass that down to the next generation of kids coming through.”