CCS's Olivia Hoffman makes a move Saturday against CSAS.
photo by Greg Davick
Notre Dame did not win a match for six weeks (0-9-2) during the regular season and was 3-10-2 heading into the playoffs.
But Irish coach Jim Schermerhorn knew something many on the outside the team didn’t understand.
“I wanted our players to compete against some of the best teams in the state early on in preparation for the playoffs and hopefully earn a spot in the A-AA state tournament,” said coach Schermerhorn.
“The players could complain about the losses to tough teams (three of the teams during the 0-9-2 run will play in the state next week) and get down on themselves or see the bigger picture and use all those matches to get better and peak at the right time.”
Irish senior co-captain Ashley McMeen was one of those up to the challenge as her match-winning header (assist to Savannah Tucker) in the 97th minute gave the visiting Green and White (6-12-2) a 1-0 victory against Boyd Buchanan (15-6-0) Saturday night in an A-AA round of 16 (sectionals) match and a spot in the A-AA state tourney which starts Wednesday in Murfreesboro.
“We played well and had plenty of chances to score in regulation and fortunately we made the winning goal in overtime,” Schermerhorn stated.
The two evenly matched teams played to a scoreless draw at the end of regulation time (80 minutes) and another 10 minutes of overtime before Tucker’s pass over the top found McMeen in the box who was able to push the ball past Bucs goalkeeper Ana Lafontaine.
“We also had several scoring opportunities, but couldn’t get the ball in the goal,” said Boyd Buchanan coach Todd Ledbetter.
“It was tough losing (district player of the year) Emma Rogers at the end of regulation due to an injury, but we played hard and had a great season winning the district and region titles.”
Tough Schedule: During the 0-9-2 run, the Irish lost to three teams who will also be in Murfreesboro next week – district foe Chattanooga Christian (3 times, 16-6-1 in A-AA), Briarcrest Christian (D-II AA, 12-1-5) and Maryville (AAA, 20-2-1) – and three others who lost in the sectionals – Bearden, Arlington and Bartlett - who had a combined 39 wins.
Road Warriors: the old adage .. "you might lose on Thursdays, but you have to win on Tuesdays" proved true as the Irish have peaked at the right time ... winning three straight "advance or go home" playoff matches all on the road - def. Signal Mtn., 3-0 in district semis ... beat Murfreesboro Central Magnet, 2-1, in sudden death in the region semis and Boyd Buchanan, 1-0, in the round of 16 in overtime ... The irish lost to CCS in the district and region finals ..
Playing Boyd Buchanan in the Sectional: In 2010, ND won, 6-0, and won the state ... In 2014, ND won,1-0,,and was state runner-up ...
State Tournament Field: Greeneville, Knoxville Grace, White House, CPA, Jackson Christian and Madison round out the Class A/AA state tournament field.
Brackets will be posted Sunday morning on TSSAA.
Class A/AA state quarterfinals begin Wednesday in Murfreesboro.
Notre Dame 1, Boyd Buchanan 0
ND 0 – 0 – 0 – 1 – 1
BBS 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –- 0
OT - ND ... Ashley McMeen (assist, Savannah Tucker), 97th minute
Notre Dame (6-12-2), Boyd Buchanan (15-6-0)
Stats:
Goals ND, 1-0
Shots: ND, 16-7
Saves: ND (Lauren Teal, 3), BBS (Ana Lafontaine, 6)
Fouls: ND, 6-4
Handballs: ND, 1-0
Offsides: 1-1
Free Kicks: BBS, 8-5
Corner Kicks: ND, 1-0
CCS 6 CSAS 0 Six different Lady Chargers scored for CCS in their sectional win. Olivia Hoffman, Addie Henry, Kyla Wright, Laura Ligon, Lillie Cate and Laura Beth Turner scored for CCS. Kyla Wright had two assists. Laura Ligon and Taylor Brooks also had an assist.
CCS out shot CSAS 17-0.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net