Using speed, ball control and an offense clicking on all cylinders, Notre Dame scored early and often to defeat visiting Merrol Hyde (Hendersonville), 7-0 in an A-AA Region 4 semifinal girls soccer match Tuesday night.
The Irish (8-5-4) were led by a hat trick by junior Sofia Olenchek, while Gaby Mullin, Ashley McMeen, Emma Higgins and Liz Ciabattone each scored once. Assists were credited to Mullin (2), Austin Nelson, Ciabattone and Olenchek.
"We communicated well tonight, got the ball to the feet of our teammates on a consistent basis and won the majority of balls in the air," said Ciabattone.
Thursday Night Region 4 A-AA Finals: Chattanooga Christian at Notre Dame, 7 p.m. ... In the other region semis match, CCS beat previously unbeaten Murfreesboro Central Magnet, 1-0 on the road ... In Region 3 A-AA final Boyd Buchanan meets Grace Academy, also Thursday.
Notre Dame found the back of the Lady Hawks (10-8-2) net in the 12th minute for the opening goal as Nelson fed Olenchek who scored from five yards in front.
The Irish led 3-0 at intermission as Higgins scored in the 26th minute and Olenchek again in the 36th minute.
"It's always good to score early and Sofia's first goal settled us down," said Notre Dame Jim Schermerhorn.
"Overall, we played good possession soccer and used our speed to open up the field."
Good Tribute: "Notre Dame is most definitely the best A-AA team we have played this season," said Merrol Hyde coach Jason Bentley whose Lady Hawks lost twice to previously unbeaten Central Magnet.
"We played hard throughout the match, but their speed and winning and controlling the majority of balls out of the air proved to be a major factor in the win tonight."
Tough Defense: The Irish are 6-0-1 in their last seven matches since losing to Knox. Bearden, 3-1, Sept. 18 ... ND has outscored its opponents, 26-2, in the last seven matches.
Notre Dame 7, Merrol Hyde 0
1st Half
ND - Sofia Olenchek (Austin Nelson), 12th minute 1-0
ND - Emma Higgins (Gaby Mullin), 26th minute 2-0
ND - Olenchek (G Mullin), 36th minute, 3-0
2nd Half
ND - G Mullin (Olenchek), 43rd minute, 4-0
ND - Olenchek (Liz Ciabattone), 48th minute, 5-0
ND - Ciabattone 73rd minute, 6-0
ND - Ashley McMeen, 76th minute 7-0
Stats:
Goals: ND, 7-0
Shots: ND, 24-5
Saves: ND (3) MH (7) ND - Taylor Green MH - Maria Popescu
Corner Kicks: 2-1
Free Kicks: ND, 7-4
Fouls MH, 6-3
Hand Balls: 1-1
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net