Sarah Parker's header for a goal off a corner in the 46th minute proved to be the winning goal as Murfreesboro Riverdale defeated host Soddy Daisy 1-0 in a Sectional high school girls soccer match Saturday.

On the corner kick, Hannah McGowen's cross went into the box as Parker headed it inside the right post.

Riverdale (11-9-2) advances to the 3A state quarters next week in Chattanooga for the third time in the past four years, while the Trojans end the season at 15-4-2.

“I thought that with two solid defensive teams on the field, that a corner kick or free kick would probably determine the outcome and it did,'' said Riverdale coach Jim McDowell.

Riverdale and Soddy Daisy have met in the sectional the past four years, with Riverdale winning three. The Warriors won 1-0 (2008) and 3-0 (2006) both times on the road, while Soddy Daisy won 1-0 in 2007 at Riverdale.

Both teams had good scoring chances with the goalkeepers playing well in the net.

Riverdale's Abbey Adkins made the first big play as she blocked Summer Lanter's break away shot at 10 yards in the 10th minute.

Adkins, with five saves on the night, also gathered in a header off a free kick in the 60th minute, and withstood a Trojan press late in the match to record the shutout, including a Hannah Jenkins shot from 15 yards in the 79th minute.

Haley Myers of Soddy Daisy also played well with six saves in goal.

Riverdale's missed opportunities included a Hannah McGowan free kick off the far post in the second half and Kaleigh Bennett's shot off the bar in the closing seconds of the first half which was cleared by senior Liz Geier to keep the match scoreless.

The Trojans best chance of the second half came as a Riverdale defender on the line blocked a shot from Natalie Smith in the 75th minute.

“We had enough chances to win, but we just never got into a rhythm on our passes,'' said Soddy Daisy coach Moises Drumond. “Soccer is game in which you create your chances and they were able to put one in to win.''

Trojan Seniors: The seven Soddy Daisy seniors finished a four-year run with 60 wins overall and 34 at home, three district and region titles and one state quarterfinal appearance.

Riverdale 1, Soddy Daisy 0
Riverdale 0 – 1 = 0
Soddy Daisy 0 – 0 = 0

Records: No. 8 Soddy Daisy (15-4-2), Riverdale (11-9-2)

Goals:
R – Sarah Parker header off corner kick (assist, Hannah McGowen), 46th minute, 1-0

Shots: Riverdale, 15-14
Saves: 6-6
Corner Kicks: Riverdale, 5-3
Throw-Ins: 57-57
Fouls: Riverdale, 6-4
Free Kicks: SD, 6-5
Goal Kicks: Soddy Daisy, 5-3
Hand Balls: None
Offsides: None
Drop Ball: None
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None

Goalkeepers:
SD – Haley Myers, 6 saves
Riverdale – Abbey Adkins, 5 saves

National Anthem Sung By: SD senior Hannah Jenkins

Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net