CCS's Kate Dirkse clears the ball on a long pass into the box.
photo by Greg Davick
It may not have been how the Lady Chargers of CCS thought they would win the Region 4A/AA soccer championship Thursday night but regardless of how, CCS did walk away with the trophy. CCS gave up a goal late in the game, but scored in overtime to win 2-1 over Notre Dame.
CCS had previously defeated Notre Dame 3-0 in the regular season and district final.
"It was too close," CCS head coach Cal Sneller said. "But you have to give it to them. They were very aggressive."
The Notre Dame goal came in the final seconds of regulation when Anna Behlau capitilized on a misplayed ball in the CCS box. Behlau buried the shot to send the game to overtime.
CCS scored the first goal in the 41st minute when Addie Henry scored assisted by Kate Dirkse. The 1-0 lead held until the final minute.
In overtime, Olivia Hoffman ran onto a nice pass from Lily Cate and beat the Notre Dame keeper one on one for the game winner.
Sneller was pleased how his girls responded to a wet, overtime game.
"It was the first overtime of the year," Sneller said."Also the first time to be scored on in the post season and I think the girls were a little down but they responded well. Defensively we did well. it was a hard game to play in the rain."
It was Notre Dame's second overtime game of the week. The Lady Irish came back to beat Murfreesboro Central on Tuesday in overtime.
CCS will host a Class A/AA state sectional on Saturday against CSAS. Notre Dame will play their sectional match at Boyd-Buchanan. Only the winners of sectional games will advance to the state tournament next week in Murfreesboro.