It’s the Notre Dame wild bunch. Four state appearances in four years (two state semis, two state quarters including this year) and want to win it all this time.
They score early, late and win on penalty kicks. The Green and White have won with a solid defense, an offense with multiple weapons and top level work in the nets.
"We respect every opponent and fear no one," said senior Austin Nelson.
Led by nine strong seniors, it’s a confident, talented, sassy, battle-tested, never-say-die group of young ladies who take on Spring Hill Wednesday night in a TSSAA A-AA state girls soccer quarterfinals in Murfreesboro at 7:30 p.m.
(EDT) at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.
TSSAA A-AA State Quarterfinals (all times EDT)
CAK (17-6) vs. Jackson Christian, 5 p.m., Field 3
Spring Hill (13-4-3) vs. Notre Dame (9-6), 7:30 p.m., Field 3
Chattanooga Christian (11-6-4) vs. Hume-Fogg (16-3), 5:30 p.m., Field 5
Chester Co. vs. Knoxville Catholic (16-6), 8 p.m., Field 5
The Irish have won five straight and are 8-0-1 since losing to AAA Knox. Bearden, 3-1, in mid-Sept., while No.14 Spring Hill (13-4-3) brings a modest three match win streak (and winners of five of last six) into the quarters.
Three’s are Wild: Three seems to be the magic number for the Irish as earlier this month they claimed their third straight district and region titles (and fourth sectional) and now need three more wins for the school’s third girls’ soccer state crown.
“There is real good leadership on this team as they are a hard working bunch committed to winning it all,” said Notre Dame coach Jim Schermerhorn.
“These players have a lot more ‘want to’ and are more focused than some other teams we’ve had. They do the extra work and it doesn’t take much to get them going at full speed.”
The foundation of the team’s success is set in the nine seniors – who were eighth graders when the Irish last won a title (2010) –and have led the squad to 41 wins in four years.
The Irish Nine
Best Athlete – Goalkeeper Taylor Green who will play for Lee University next fall
Best Student – the other eight teammates quickly pointed to Madi Robbins … has a 4.25 GPA and takes three AP courses …has all A’s and one B (AP Chemistry) in high school
Craziest – Megan Adkins is labeled the wild child and weird
Silliest-Wittiest-Clever – Liz Cabattone
Most Thoughtful – Taylor Green
Most Reliable - Austin Nelson
Best Dresser – Jessica Leath
Purple Heart Award – Jessica Leath … has had two ACL surgeries and is a team manager this season
Best Dancer – Megan Adkins … hopes to lead her team in a victory dance Saturday afternoon
Best Cook – Austin Nelson … makes cookie brownies for each match and lemon bars
The Artist – Gaby Mullin whose sister Sophie assisted Lacy Mahoney's state championship goal in 2010 … Gaby enjoys painting and drawing and will attend Savannah School of Art and Design next fall
Compassionate – Alexys Navarro … “she makes other peopler’s day,” said Taylor Green.
Sassy – Courtney Boyd … “she is a princess” said Green … Boyd will gladly trade a tiara for a state gold medal come Saturday ... she will play college soccer at Lincoln Memorial next fall.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net