Notre Dame senior Liz Ciabattone scored in the fifth minute and then the Irish held off a battling Boyd Buchanan team for the next 85 minutes for a 1-0 triumph in an A-AA sectional match.
The victorious Irish along with Chattanooga Christian (2-0 winner against Grace) advance to the state quarters next Wednesday in Murfreesboro.
“It’s good to get the win and advance to the state quarters, but our usual work effort just wasn’t here tonight,” said Notre Dame coach Jim Schermerhorn.
“Boyd Buchanan is a hard working team and it was evident tonight that you cannot let them out play you, but we did just that.”
The Bucs were outplayed in the first 40 minutes, but played at least even with the Irish in the second half.
“We pushed Notre Dame in the final 40 minutes, won more balls and had scoring opportunities, but could not get a great scoring opportunity in the second half,” said BBS coach Todd Ledbetter.
“Notre Dame has more talented players than we do, but tonight was about guts and playing hard.”
The Bucs best scoring opportunity came in the 24th minute as Alexis Meadows shot from in front was deflected over the cross bar by Irish goalkeeper Taylor Green.
GoalKeepers: Taylor Green (ND) 2 saves; Ana Lafontaine (BBS) 3 saves
Notre Dame 1, Boyd Buchanan 0
BB – 0 – 0 – 0
ND – 1 – 0 – 0
Records Boyd Buc (13-7-2) ND (10-5-4)
Shots: Notre Dame, 14-4
Goals: ND, 1-0
Saves: BBS, 3-2
Fouls: ND, 9-5
Free Kicks: BBS, 10-6
Hand Ball: 1-1
Corners: ND, 4-1
contact B.B.
Branton at
william.branton@comcast.net