Clarksville Lady Wildcats Soccer Advances to Regional Finals with 4-0 Win over Beech Lady Buccaneers

Clarksville, TN – The 2014 Class AAA Girls Soccer Regional Tournament Semi-Finals started Monday at Clarksville High, School with a rematch of the Lady Wildcats against the Beech Lady Buccaneers. In August, the Lady Wildcats beat the Lady Bucs 4-2.

At some point during the regional tournament game Monday, the teams must have experienced déjà vu because the Lady Wildcats scored four goals again to defeat the Lady Bucs 4-0.

The teams appeared even early in the game. It looked as if the Lady Bucs were going to take the offensive advantage when junior Kendon Curtis received a long lob pass, sprinted by her defender and then sidestepped the Lady Wildcats charging goalkeeper, Melia Correa, for a shot on the wide open net. However, Curtis stumbled while taking the shot and missed.

Curtis’ shot ended up being just one of three total shot attempts by the Lady Bucs. In the 21st minute, the Lady Wildcats offense took over the game. They put the Lady Bucs on the defensive with a barrage of shot attempts.

Lady Bucs senior goalkeeper Claire Gregory made some amazing saves. She also got help from the backline who made several key deflections. But the Lady Wildcats well coordinated, aggressive offense wore them down like they have done to most of their opponents throughout the season so far.

“I thought early on we were being let down by one bad pass or one bad finish,” coach Jordan said. “We had quite a bit of opportunities early. We only got the one goal there for a while. Then, we got another one later.”

The Lady Wildcats first goal was scored by Salera Jordan in the 28th minute. Jordan’s goal was the seventh straight shot attempt in a row by the Lady Wildcats. They finished the first half with 12 total shot attempts, seven on goal. Gregory made six of her nine total saves in the first half.

The Lady Bucs remained on the defensive in the second half. Amid several near misses, last second deflections and great saves, the Lady Wildcats scored three more times in the second half.

Lexie Hayes scored for the Lady Wildcats in the 50th minute. Kelsey Greiff made the score 3-0 in the 71st minute.

In the 76th minute, Gregory deflected a point blank shot by Ella Baggett. But Baggett collected the rebound and kicked the ball pass a diving Gregory who managed to get back to her feet.

This was the Lady Wildcats eighth straight shutout. They have not allowed a goal since Sept. 18 against Hendersonville. With the win, the Lady Wildcats will host a regional finals game against Hendersonville, Wednesday, Oct. 22.

“We have worked for 51 weeks to be here,“ coach Jordan said. “This has been on our mind since last year. Last year we lost in the sectionals. The girls, I think, are focused. We know what we have to do.”

Motivating his team after the game, Jordan told his girls, “Keep the eyes on the prize. We have worked awfully hard for a long time and we just need to stay focused and keep playing our game.”

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