Justin Bernaix earns 2026 Coach of the Year honor
Justin Bernaix was honored as the 2026 Telegraph Large‑Schools Girls Soccer Coach of the Year after steering Edwardsville to a fourth‑place finish at the IHSA Class 3A State Tournament in his inaugural season.
The Tigers closed the 2026 spring campaign with a 16‑5‑2 record, capturing both regional and sectional titles while allowing just 17 goals all year, including an eight‑game stretch without conceding.
Goalkeeper Genny Burroughs posted a 0.59 goals‑against average and made 46 saves en route to the Final Four, while forwards Gabby Thomson and Anna Maxim contributed 19 goals and nine goals respectively, anchoring a balanced attack.
Defensive mastery and offensive firepower
Edwardsville’s schedule featured two victories over O’Fallon, highlighted by a 1‑0 win over Lincoln‑Way Central in the Bloomington Super‑Sectional, though the run ended with a 2‑1 overtime loss to New Trier in the semifinals and a 1‑0 defeat to Gurnee Warren in the third‑place match.
Balancing two programs
Bernaix also coaches the women’s program at Lewis and Clark Community College, managing the dual responsibilities of high school and college duties; LCCC’s preseason workouts are slated to begin Aug. 3, with the first regular‑season game scheduled for Aug. 22 at Columbia State College.