In what would appear to be a pattern, the team with the most fouls (translated = playing the most physical) won the day in State Soccer play, at least in the A-AA division. Earlier it was Chattanooga’s Notre Dame’s Lady Irish with 18 fouls; in the second match of the evening at the Chattanooga Christian School facilities it was Christian Academy of Knoxville with 17 fouls. The Lady Warriors (23-0-1) knocked off the Lady Lions of Christ Presbyterian Academy (20-3) by a score of 2-1.

Asked about his team’s impending match-up in the finals with the Lady Irish, CAK head coach Ried Estus is glad the teams wear different colors, saying, “I’ve watched them twice now and each time I thought I was watching us.” Of their just completed match, he said, “We just beat a very good team.” The two teams did show their mettle and that they were both more than qualified to be playing in the state semi-finals.

Not only did CAK show themselves the more physical of the two squads, they also exhibited some very good ball handling by senior forward Ruthie Edmonds and sophomores Kiah Allen and Paige Hoffman. CPA’s own senior mid-fielder Savannah Moore also showed some stellar ball handling both on offense and defense.

Knoxville’s goals came in the 24th minute of play on a shot by senior forward Ruthie Edmunds off an assist by senior mid-fielder Mary Thompson and in the 59th minute on a unassisted shot by senior forward Brittany Hoffman.

With 1-0 lead coming into the second half, the Lady Warriors spent most of the time in the CPA front yard making the Lady Lions chase the ball from corner to corner and end line to mid-field. In the 73rd minute of play CPA keeper Grace Hooper made a magnificent save on a Lady Warrior corner kick to keep the match within two points. Then, with 4:25 left in the game, CPA’s Amy Maksimowicz broke free from the pack on an assist by junior forward Victoria Anderson and planted a shot deep in the back left-hand corner of the CAK net to bring the match to within one goal.

While it brought the Lady Lion bench to life it also made the Lady Warrior’s stiffen up their defense for the last four minutes of play.

Coach Estus ended his comments by saying, “We and Notre Dame are a mirror of the other. We both have athletic capabilities and are very much the same when it comes to our tactics and game strategies.” With that being the case, Saturday’s battle for the state A-AA title should be a very good game. It will be played at the GPS facilities at noon.

Score at half: CAK-1, CPA-0

CPA: 0 – 1 = 1
CAK: 1 – 1 = 2

Scoring:

First half:
CAK – Ruthie Edmunds; assist: Mary Thompson: 24th minute

Second half:
CAK – Brittany Hoffman; unassisted; 59th minute
CPA – Amy Maksimowicz; assist: Victoria Anderson; 75th minute

Shots on goal: CPA-3; CAK-9

Saves: CPA (Grace Hooper)-5; CAK (Sally Jernigan)-1

Fouls: CPA- 4; CAK-17

(You can contact Dennis Norwood at ladyvols56@att.net)