H.S. SOCCER: Ferrell PK gives Jackson Christian first-ever state tourney win

MURFREESBORO – Building a state championship quality program is a tough process.

Jackson Christian has been in that process for the last decade. Christian Academy of Knoxville has been at the top for the last decade with 12 state tournament appearances and a 20-8 record at that level.

On Wednesday, Jackson Christian took a big step forward by beating CAK 2-1 at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in the Class A-AA quarterfinals.

"We have been working for this even during my first stint," Jackson Christian coach Jeff Lean said. "Back then we had two middle school teams with 30 girls, and that was really the start of this. Now to be back and win up here is very nice."

Jackson Christian (20-1-2) advances to the semifinal for the first time to face Notre Dame (10-5-5) on Thursday at 4 p.m. CAK ends its season at 17-7.

With the match tied 1-1, Jackson Christian junior Amelia Grizzell received a ball from senior Addie Carter, and Grizzell fired a shot into three CAK players. The ball hit one of the CAK player's hand with 1:19 and penalty kick was awarded for a handball.

Senior Effie Ferrell stepped up and struck the ball high and to the right for the game-winner as the Lady Eagles beat the 2013 Class A-AA runner-up.

"I was just paying attention to the keeper, trying to see if she could read me," Ferrell said. "I adjusted my shot for her."

The Lady Warriors were fundamentally sound and kept its structure throughout the match. Jackson Christian worked to do the same, and that resulted in 57 minutes of scoreless soccer.

Neither team had many chances during that time period as both teams worked to possess the ball.

"We were flat all game, but that is a good sign at state to not play your best and still find a way to win," Lean said. "We kept battling to find opportunities."

With 22:09 remaining, Jackson Christian senior Georgia Hopkins had the ball on the right flank and slotted the ball inside the near post past the CAK goalkeeper Skyler Woidke for the 1-0 lead.

"It wasn't our best performance," Lean said. "Georgia was incredible through the whole game. She was a senior that stepped up and kept us in this game.

"Addie [Carter] and Effie [Ferrell] also contributed to the win."

But six minutes later, the Lady Warriors answered as senior Carter Steedly scored on an assist from junior Emily Threatt.

Jackson Christian went right back to the attack after CAK tied the match, and with 10:02, the Lady Eagles almost took the lead as Grizzell had a shot deflect off of the cross bar.

Carter had the centering pass on that shot, and Carter worked all game making runs and creating chances for her teammates.

"It felt really good to get the win," Ferrell said. "It is relief to get into the records at Jackson Christian.

"I felt like we had some lows, but we had a lot of control. We had to keep our shape."

Michael Odom, 425-9754