MURFREESBORO, Tenn.—The Eagles kicked off Spring Fling Tuesday night, making the trip to middle Tennessee to face MLK Nashville in the quarterfinals of the DI-AA tournament.
Signal Mountain started the game in its preferred 3-5-2 with the three more central midfielders playing with fluidity—changing between the 6,8,and 10 roles depending on the situation.
The Eagles quickly had to abort their pregame suppositions, however, as MLK scored right off the bat from a fast-paced build-up that ended in Gabe Rodriguez sliding one past a diving keeper.
Rodriguez—playing in the midfield—paired well with striker Caleb Donaldson. The two served as a nice counterbalance to the Royals’ methodic, possession-based style of play—constantly turning towards goal and running straight at the Eagle’s backline.
Signal Mountain—now on the back foot—switched to a 3-4-3 but continued to stretch the field and look for space to attack.
Coach Richard Northcutt challenged his front three to break down MLK’s stout defense by moving the ball quicker.
Signal tried, but MLK resisted. With both teams having similar philosophies of play centered around holding onto the ball—the game slowed down.
The break came with MLK still up 1-0.
Northcutt changed his style of play—switching to a 4-3-3 and calling for his team to press high to try to catch them in possession and force a turnover.
The Eagles started looking to break on the counter more as the second half drew on as well.
Despite this change, Signal couldn’t find any answers for MLK’s backline.
The Royals sealed the victory with two minutes left to play.
Signal Mountain—now in all-out attack mode, chasing the equalizer—got caught on the ball in its own half and MLK had its chance to hit on the counter.
Donaldson split the last two defenders and found himself on the end of a perfectly waited through pass and 1v1 with the keeper. He cut to the left, sliding past the goalie, and slotted it home—dashing any chances the Eagles had of a comeback.
Signal Mountain return home with an overall record of 17-3-1. MLK advance to the semifinals Wednesday where they will face Greeneville.
Scoring Summary:
Signal Mountain 0 0 – 0
MLK Nashville 1 1 – 2
Goal Scorers: Gabe Rodriguez, Caleb Donaldson
(Email Will McElyea at sports@chattanoogan.com)