For the second straight match the Soddy Daisy trio of Megan Weller, Natalie Smith and Miranda Smith teamed up to lead the Trojans to a 1-0 overtime win against host Cleveland Thursday night in a AAA Region 3 District 5 girls soccer match.

In the eighth minute of sudden death, midfielder Natalie Smith sent a through ball to Miranda Smith (no relation) who headed the ball back to Weller whose shot from 20 yards out sailed over the outstretched hands of Blue Raider goalkeeper Jenna Scoggins for the winning goal.

In Tuesday's 3-2 overtime victory against district foe McMinn County, Weller had two, second half goals  to force overtime before Miranda Smith scored the winner in the first minute of sudden death. Natalie Smith assisted on all three goals.

"In the last 20 minutes of regulation tonight and in the overtime period we told each other that we had to play with more intensity (than in the first 60 minutes of the match) and play as if we were down two goals as we were against McMinn County," said Weller.

Soddy Daisy (11-2-2, 5-0-0) leads District 5, but must beat Ooltewah next Tuesday to clinch the regular season title and a first round bye in the district tourney.

"No question that Cleveland outplayed us the first 60 minutes of the match," said Soddy Daisy coach Moises Drumond. "I told our players midway through the second half that we had to win the first ball in one-on-one situations and until we did that Cleveland (6-5-3, 3-2-0) was going to stay in control of the match.

"We were able to pick up the intensity in the final 20 minutes of regulation and that carried over into overtime when we were able to get the scoring opportunity."

The Trojans have now won 39 straight district matches since a 0-0 tie with Ooltewah in Sept. 2007.

"We created more quality opportunities to score than Soddy Daisy did tonight, but they were able to get one by us in overtime for the win," said Cleveland coach Andy Byrd.

"This is the best we have played all season and we will be stronger in playoffs once we get two starters back."

Soddy Daisy led in shots taken, 18-14, but took only three shots in the first half.

Miranada Smith had a free kick from 25 yards early in the first 20 minutes which sailed high over the cross bar for the Trojans' only serious threat in the first half.

Cleveland's Sam DeBien (Fr.) and Sohara Perez (So.) controlled the tempo for most of regulation play and kept pressure on the Trojan defense.

Brother-Sister Blue Raider Athletes: Sam DeBien is the younger sister of Cleveland state wrestling champion Chris DeBien. "When we were in elementary school I could beat him in wrestling, but not now," said Sam with a smile.

Summer Training Paying Off: Coach Drumond noted that the intense training in July is now paying off ... "I trained right along with our players in the hot days of July doing the drills and running the sprints and now it is paying off in late September."

Two Overtime Wins: Soddy Daisy beat McMInn County, 3-2 OT, on Tuesday ... Trojan goalkeeper Baylee Burk received two yellow cards (ie., a soft red card) and had to leave the match, thus making the Trojans play with 10 players ... freshman Sydney Burton replaced Burk in goal ... McMinn County led 2-0 in the second half, before the Trojans evened the match at 2-2 on goals by Megan Weller ... Miranda Smith scored the winning goal in the first minute of sudden death. 

Region 3, District 5 Standings and Scenarios: (district record in parentheses)

1. Soddy Daisy (5-0)

2. Ooltewah (3-1)

2. McMinn County (3-1) 

4. Cleveland (3-2)

5. Bradley Central (3-3)

6. Walker Valley (0-5)

7. Rhea County (0-5)

Tues. Oct.. 2 - 

Soddy Daisy (5-0) at Ooltewah (3-1) .... Cleveland (3-2) at McMinn County (3-1)

Rhea County (0-5) at Walker Valley (0-5)

Thurs. Oct. 4 - McMinn County at Ooltewah 

Scenarios:

Soddy Daisy can win the regular season district title with a win at Ooltewah on Tuesday

Ooltewah can win the district with victories next week against Soddy Daisy and McMinn County (both matches at home) and Soddy Daisy would finish second ...

If Ooltewah beats Soddy Daisy, but loses to McMinn County (on Thursday) then Soddy Daisy wins the district ...

If McMinn County beats Cleveland and Ooltewah and SD loses to Ooltewah .... then SD and McMinn Co. would be 5-1 and SD wins the head-to-head tie-breaker (3-2 OT win on 9/25) and finishes first.

Soddy Daisy 1 Cleveland 0  OT

SD 0 - 0 - 1  --  1

CLEVE 0 - 0 - 0  -- 0

Records: SD (11-2-2, 5-0-0), Cleveland (6-5-3, 3-2-0)

Statistics

Goals: SD, 1-0;  Megan Weller (Miranda Smith), 88:30, 1-0

Goalkeeper Saves: SD - Baylee Burk (5), Cleve - Jenna Scoggins (9)

Shots: SD, 18-14

Corner Kicks: SD, 3-1

Crossing Passes: SD, 9-5

Throw-Ins: SD, 50-42

Fouls: SD, 4-2

Hand Balls: 1-1

Free Kicks: 5-3

Goal Kicks: Cleve, 15-14

 

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