Trying to balance a family, teaching and being a soccer coach led Kristin Gough to step away from Warren Central and the Lady Vikes program she had built.

Gough’s departure from the game won’t last long. She is expected to be named the new girls soccer coach at St. Aloysius, pending an approved contract. She will replace Karen Carroll who was not rehired after four seasons leading the Lady Flashes’ program.

Gough said she wasn’t seeking a job.

&#8220St. Al contacted me, looking for a coach,” Gough said. &#8220I never went looking for a job. I went to hear them out and even told them I wasn’t sure I wanted the job.”

What changed her mind was the class selection St. Al offered her.

&#8220I will be teaching sixth grade and I’m really excited. It’s a great atmosphere and will be a challenge,” added Gough who previously taught ninth- and 10th- grade classes at Warren Central.

In four seasons at WC, Gough turned the Lady Vikes into a playoff contender at the Class 5A level. She compiled a 51-34-6 record in that time, including a 2-2 mark in the 5A playoffs after taking teams to the second round in 2004 and 2005.

Last winter, the Lady Vikes finished 13-8-2 but missed the playoffs. Gough felt her daughter, Ella Anne, needed more attention so she decided to resign from Warren Central.

&#8220I want Ella Anne to stay home, but at the same time I realize she needs to go to school part of the day and interact with other kids,” Gough said.

Gough was a standout player at Vicksburg High, leading the Missy Gators to three state championships. She then went on to play for the University of Florida and later Ole Miss in the Southeastern Conference.

Gough doesn’t expect to see much difference in how her new team plays despite going from Class 5A soccer down to 1A.

&#8220The only difference in 1A from 5A is the number of athletes you have to choose from,” Gough said. &#8220A lot play multiple sports. No matter what class it is in, I will still hold my players to high standards.”

Gough’s replacement at Warren Central is expected to be named Thursday following approval at the Warren-Vicksburg School Board meeting. Three other coaching vacancies at Vicksburg High in football are also expected to be filled at that time, including a replacement for defensive coordinator Toriano Wells, who left to take the head coaching job at Madison Parish in Tallulah.

St. Al is still seeking to fill its opening for a boys and girls basketball and boys soccer coach.