Madison, JC take on tough competition at state
While Jackson Christian’s girls soccer team is making its fourth consecutive trip to the Class A-AA state tournament, the Lady Eagles don’t have many players experienced at playing on this level.
The same can be said about Madison, who is making its first appearance in the state tournament since 2011.
Both teams play quarterfinal matchups on Wednesday at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro.
Jackson Christian (14-3-1) takes on White House at 7 p.m., and the Lady Devils are making their first state tournament appearance since 2012.
“We have spent this year like we have previous years preparing for the following season,” Jackson Christian coach Jeff Lean said. “We have put in motion what the team will look like.
“We have the two eighth-graders in Kayla Grace Sharp and Grace Guthrie, but all these other might not have played, but they got to experience the send off, how we eat and how we train, so they have that experience.”
So the Lady Eagles will hope to settle in quickly and not allow the moment to overwhelm them.
Jackson Christian’s success has started with the defense all year, and preparing for the state tournament started with the leadership of seniors Catie Beth Hatch and Kady Beth Cook.
“We are built from the back forward,” Lean said. “Our defense gives us a chance to be in games. There has only been one game this season that we haven’t been in, and that was Henry County. We have relied on that defense all season, and we will rely on them again at state.”
White House has scored 13 goals in its last three matches, so defense will be key.
“Looking at results, White House looks to be the caliber of a team like USJ,” Lean said. “There is no question that this is a big step up for us. Our ultimate goal this year was to get to state, so hopefully we will play loose because we are the strong underdog.”
Madison (16-3-3) opens play in the state tournament 30 minutes before Jackson Christian as the Lady Mustangs take on Chattanooga Christian at 6:30 p.m. Chattanooga Christian finished runner-up last season.
“Obviously, you have to prepare the team for the state tournament at a different level,” Madison coach Willy Cruz said. “It has to be higher intensity because you know that these teams are of the highest caliber.”
Although none of the Madison players have played in the state tournament, the Lady Mustangs are led by senior Brittany Bray, who has played in big games on the club level.
“Brittany is one of the best players that I have seen in the area,” Cruz said. “She has played against top level teams, and her leadership means a lot. She is a role model for the younger players. It is hard to sum up her meaning in one sentence.”
The Lady Mustangs have some younger players that are continuing to develop like freshman Meredith Nye, sophomore Megan Dunaway, sophomore Ellie Harrell, sophomore Briana McDonald, sophomore Olivia Bezold and junior Camryn Meyer.
“Our key Wednesday will be playing as team and as a unit,” Cruz said. “We have to pass and move the ball around. Defending will be a big part of the game. We have to make sure that we step up.”
With those young players, Madison will look to make state tournament apperances a yearly goal.
“Once you experience going to state, it is one of the biggest achievements for this sports,” Cruz said. “They will want to keep going at it.”
Chattanooga Christian has outscored its opponents 22-1 in the postseason.
This will be the last year that Jackson Christian and Madison play against Class AA teams in the state tournament as Madison will be in Class A next year while Jackson Christian will be in Division II-A.
Michael Odom, 425-9754