HIGH SCHOOL

H.S. SOCCER: USJ girls advance to state tourney

Kevin Odom

The University School of Jackson’s Lady Bruin soccer team defeated Franklin Road Academy of Nashville 4-0 Saturday to advance to the state tournament in Murfreesboro. USJ will play in a semifinal match on Friday.

The Lady Bruins, playing aggressively from the start, took a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute of the match when senior striker Rachel Giampapa took a short pass from Addison Dunn and scored the Bruins’ first goal. The goal opportunity was setup by Madison Perchik driving the ball into the goal area from the left wing.

“After that first goal of the game we were able to settle down and play our game just playing the ball to feet,” senior center back Shelby Williams said.

In the 12th minute junior Anna Pearson headed a perfectly placed corner kick from senior Sarah Pierce into the net for a 2-0 USJ lead.

USJ’s third goal came in the 22nd minute when defender Pierce went to cross the ball from the right wing but actually put the ball over the outstretched arms of FRA goalkeeper Sydney Malham and into the goal. USJ lead 3-0 at the half.

The Bruins’ final goal came with just 10 minutes left in the match when Dunn passed to a wide open Perchik on the back post. Perchik kicked it in for a 4-0 lead.

As it has all season the USJ defense played rock solid all match long, only allowing the Lady Panthers to get one shot on goal for the match. Only on a few occasions was the FRA offense able to work the ball into the 18-yard box, and when the Lady Panthers were able to the Bruin defenders were quick to shut them down.

The match was called with seven minutes remaining because an FRA player needed an ambulance after suffering an ankle injury.

“The solid play of our defense gives the team confidence to go forward and play the way we want to play with everyone involved in the attack,” said Lady Bruin coach Paul Conway.

USJ will now go to Murfreesboro in search of its third state title, for which it has come up just short the last two seasons. The Lady Bruins finished runner up last season.

“It is really special to have this opportunity. We want to go and play our best,” said Pierce when asked about the chance to go to state. “We have to make sure we stay focused.”

Now it’s time to prepare for the state tournament.

“We have to focus on ourselves in training this week and keep the intensity up in training sessions,” Conway said.