The anticipated shootout - well, a shootout anticipated by most outside the Girls Preparatory School soccer community - never materialized Tuesday.
The Bruisers dominated almost from the outset, scoring less than four minutes in and then bolting from a 1-1 tie to a 3-1 halftime lead and then on to a 4-1 victory over visiting Chattanooga Christian.
It was their fourth victory without a loss.
"CCS is probably the strongest opponent we've faced this year. They did a great job, especially in the second half, clogging in the middle and changing up what we were able to do," GPS coach Patrick Winecoft said.
GPS had 17 shots in the first half and eight in the second.
The Bruisers responded with some pretty good defense of their own, including a hustling effort from Lilly Hopping. That defense limited the Lady Chargers to nine shots.
Winecoft seemed to take it for granted, too, that Sarah Corum, one of his two senior captains and a three-year starter, turned in a solid night's work on both ends of the field.
"She had a fantastic game," Winecoft said of the left outside back. "We just push her forward. Last year she had several goals and several more assists."
Lane Lawrence, Emily Large, Kylie Eiselstein and Ashley Grant scored the Bruisers' goals while Addie Henry scored for CCS with an assist from Ella Brock. Credited with assists for GPS were Lane Lawrence and Jai-la Hansford.
"GPS plays well. They're aggressive and extremely physical. They run through the ball, play like they want the ball," CCS coach Cal Sneller said. "It's great for us to face. Our girls played a little better, trying to get body in on the ball instead of being passive and trying to out-finesse."
He said CCS played better in the second half.
"We still have a hard time finding each other, and they pass better than they showed tonight," Sneller said. "We have a tendency to wait on the ball."
CCS has yet to win in five matches, although its preseason showing was reason for optimism.
"We played three games in 24 hours over the weekend but we still haven't won, although I think we should be able to play with any team," Sneller said. "We've got holes to fill and there's work to do, but we have time."
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.