MURFREESBORO - Juniors Sofia Olenchek and Emma Higgins scored two goals each to lead Notre Dame to a 4-0 victory against No.9 Spring Hill here Wednesday night in a TSSAA A-AA State Girls Quarterfinals at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.
The win advances No.2 Notre Dame (11-5-4) to the state semis against Jackson Christian Thursday at 5 p.m. EDT. Jackson Christian is 19-1-2 and has won seven straight and defeated No.3 Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK), 2-1, earlier tonight for its first ever state tournament win.
Olenchek opened the scoring on an assist from Higgins, who in turn scored on a pass from Austin Nelson for a 2-0 halftime lead.
Olenchek's goal from Ashley McMeen made it 3-0 and Higgins closed out the scoring on a free kick from Liz Ciabattone in the 63rd minute.
"I am pleased with the way we played for all 80 minutes and it's good to come out and get on the board first," said Notre Dame coach Jim Schermerhorn.
Notre Dame has won six in a row and is 9-0-1 since a 3-1 loss to Knox. Bearden in mid-Sept.
Notre Dame 4, Spring Hill 0
1st Half - Sofia Olenchek from Emma Higgins, 1-0
Emma Higgins from Austin Nelson, 2-0
2nd Half - Sofia Olenchek from Ashley McMeen, 3-0
Emma Higgins from Liz Ciabattone, 4-0
Records: Notre Dame 11-5-4 Spring Hill 13-5-3
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net