Emily Huesman (15) passes the ball to Amberlee Johnson (16) as Vanessa Belanger (5) of Knox Catholic defends
photo by Dennis Norwood
Leah Hoffman (CCS, 13) and Vanessa Belanger (KC, 5) battle for posession in the state semis
photo by Dennis Norwood
CCS coach Cal Sneller
photo by Dennis Norwood
Kate Dirkse (21, CCS) and Camille Mancini (KC, 17) run for possession of the ball
photo by Dennis Norwood
MURFREESBORO - The defending state champion Knox Catholic was pushed to the limit by Chattanooga Christian here Thursday night, but in the end prevailed on penalty kicks, 9-8, in a semifinal TSSAA Girls State Soccer match at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.
The Charger defenders kept the high scoring Lady Irish off the scoreboard for 110 minutes of play prior to penalty kicks as sisters Roo and Jenna Rogers, Emily Huesman and Kate Dirkse countered Knox Catholic's senior forward Ashley Hickman and junior Camille Mancini.
Prior to the CCS match, KC had averaged four goals a match in the current 14-match win streak.
"That's a good bunch of defenders and Jenna shut down a talented player in Ashley Hickman," said CCS coach Cal Sneller.
"We will lose Roo to graduation but the other three defenders will be back as Emily and Kate are only eighth graders and Jenna is a sophomore."
Saturday State Final: The A-AA state final (2:30 p.m. EDT) shows No.1 Knox. Catholic (18-5-0) vs. No.2 Notre Dame (12-5-4) and is a re-match of the 2013 state semis as Knox Catholic defeated Notre Dame, 1-0.
Penalty Kicks: Knox Catholic could have won the match on its fifth attempt, but CCS senior goalkeeper Avery Boulware made a diving stop of the shot to extend the penalty kicks.
The Lady Irish had a second chance to win it, but Natalie Eilerman pushed the potential winning shot wide left and CCS had new life.
Junior Camille Mancini ended the long night with a goal to make it 9-8 in PKs and punched the team's ticket for the finals.
Cal Sneller to His Team: "Think about where you have come since the first day of practice. You have come a long way, accomplished a lot and lifted each other up ... You represented your school very, very well."
Good Reward Sleep In: Shortly after the loss, CCS president Chad Dirkse told the players they are excused from the first two class periods Friday and do not need to be on campus until third period at 10:12 a.m.
Knox Catholic 1, Chattanooga Christian 0
KC 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- PKs (9)
CCS 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - PKs (8)
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@Comcast.net