Notre Dame Wins, 2-1, Moves to State Finals

Barta and Higgins Score For Irish

  • Thursday, October 30, 2014
  • B.B. Branton

MURFREESBORO - Notre Dame scored an early goal in each half and then turned to its defense to hold off Jackson Christian in the closing minutes for a 2-1 win in a semifinal match in the TSSAA A-AA Girls State Championship here Thursday at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.

State Finals: A-AA finals are Saturday at 2:30 p.m. EDT ... Notre Dame faces the Chattanooga Christian-Knox. Catholic winner in the finals.

Kelsey Barta put the No.2 ranked Irish up 1-0 in the match's third minute on a pass from Emma Higgins and Higgins in turn scored the second goal in the 42nd minute from Barta.

Jackson Christian, which closed its season at 20-2-2, scored on a header by Amelia Grizzell off a corner kick on the 72nd minute from Julia Ann Lansdale.

Earlier in the second half, the Eagles had an excellent scoring opportunity as a shot hit the cross bar and the follow-up shot sailed high over the bar and Notre Dame held its 2-0 lead.

"I was a bit nervous when they had a couple of big chances in the second half, but you have to trust your defense to clear the ball and also I had to remember that I have trained for years for moments like those," said Notre Dame senior goalkeeper Taylor Green who has committed to play for Lee University next year.

State Finals II: The last time Notre Dame (12-5-4) was in the finals was when the Irish won it in 2010.

"This is a pretty committed group of players who have worked hard all season and I believe they deserve to be in the finals," said Notre Dame coach Jim Schermerhorn whose team has won seven in a row.

"Saturday will be my final 90 minutes of competitive soccer and I am excited that we are in the finals and have a chance to win a state title," said senior Austin Nelson.

 Notre Dame 2, Jackson Christian 1

ND 1 - 1 - 2

JC 0 - 1 -- 1

ND -  Kelsey Barta from Emma Higgnins, 3rd minute, 1-0
ND - Emma Higgins from Barta, 42nd minute, 2-0

JC- Amelia Grizzell from Julia Ann Landsdale, 72nd minute, 2-1

Records: Notre Dame (12-5-4) Jackson Christian (20-2-2)

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 .

 

Sports
Chattanooga Women Third At Spring Break Shootout
  • 3/18/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs got off to a solid start at the Spring Break Shootout. The ladies are 4 under on Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club’s South Course carding 280 over the opening 18 and 284 ... more

Sweetwater's Keke Norfolk Signs With Cleveland State
Sweetwater's Keke Norfolk Signs With Cleveland State
  • 3/18/2024

Keke Norfolk of Sweetwater High School signed a National Letter of Intent with the Cleveland State women’s basketball team this past week. Norfolk a 5’9” guard/forward, becomes the first signee ... more

Vol Baseball Win Streak Ends At 17 At Alabama
  • 3/18/2024

No. 5/5 Tennessee's 17-game winning streak came to an end with a 6-3 loss to No. 12/14 Alabama on Saturday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide (16-3, 1-1 SEC) ... more