MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- The CSAS Patriots advanced past the Memphis Business Academy Execs to the championship match in the Class A state tournament with a 4-1 win.. The Patriots have been looking for their final run all season. They started the season with a new head coach in Ryan Jacobs. More often than not, you will see a team struggle to find their new system under new leadership. This was not the case with Jacobs. He has taken them, with the help of several experienced players, straight to the 2024 state finals.
Memphis Business has been a newer name to the state tournament scene. However, they came in with confidence and played at high quality level for the entire match. The scoreline shows CSAS as the stronger side, and they were. Yet, it should not be overlooked, the skill and talent of this Memphis team.
The first goal came earlier than expected. Both teams were taking some time trying to find something to get them going on offense. The defensive side of the ball was locked down right from the start. The first goal, scored by Eliot Nichols, found the net twenty minutes into the half. After this, the momentum shifted quickly towards CSAS. Shortly after another goal would be scored by striker, Will Parris. This would put CSAS up 2-0 going into halftime.
CSAS would score two more goals in the second half to clinch the win over Memphis Business. The first of the two from defensive specialist Justin Smith. Smith has been an all-around player for the Patriots the entire season. He takes on a lot of roles for his team to help win games. This time he would take the penalty kick after a foul against Parris in the box. Smith would smash it into the right side of the net and score the third goal with confidence.
Memphis Put themselves on the board with a spectacular goal for midfielder, Linberth Soriano. It was a quick shot taken outside the box that floated perfectly over the keeper and make it 3-1. Willem Cooley would have himself another goal of the tournament late in the game to give them a 4-1 win over the Execs and send them to the final where they will play Gatlinburg Pitman on Friday at 4:00 p.m. CDT at the Siegel Soccer Complex stadium.
The Patriots own Justin Smith, who scored a penalty in the semi-final win, gave some of his thoughts and insights about the game and tournament for him and his team, “It feels great. We have worked really hard all season. Just to see our hard work pay off is great to see. I am usually pretty calm on penalties. For me it wasn’t much stress, but once I saw it go in, it was a big relief because we had a big lead there. It feels great. I don’t get many goals. So, to be in a semi-final and for us to not usually get this far feels wonderful.”
Head Coach Ryan Jacobs shared some of his emotions after advancing to the state finals, “It is relieving. The coach and I were on pins and needles for most of the game, but what an accomplishment. Its just an accomplishment for these boys. Their hard work they put in and the dedication they put in. It is all about them. It’s been a pretty fantastic ride watching them work together. It’s a culmination of who they are. Its going to be a battle but this is hat they deserve. Gatlinburg Pitman is the team that put them out last year and I think they want some redemption. Whether they win or lose, what a season these kids have had. It is going to be a battle on Friday, and we are going to give it our all. This is the last one, so we are going to leave it all out there.”
Game Summary
CSAS 2 2 -- 4
Memphis Business 0 1 -- 1
Goal Scorers:
CSAS- Eliot Nichols, Will Parris, Justin Smith, Willem Cooley; Memphis Business- Linberth Soriano.
Assists:
CSAS- Marcel Wasilewski, Will Hetrick.
(Contact Alex McElyea at alexmcelyea26@gmail.com)