HIGH SCHOOL

Bearden beats rival Farragut on night soccer complex named

Dave Link
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Bearden High School’s students poured onto the field of their newly named soccer complex Friday night.

Bearden fans and players celebrate after defeating Farragut at Bearden on Friday, April 21, 2017.  Bearden defeated Farragut 3-2.

Next came a wild celebration after the defending state champion Bulldogs (9-4-1, 4-1 4-AAA) rallied for a 3-2 victory over rival Farragut (11-4-1, 4-2).

Bearden trailed 2-0 early in the second half and beat Farragut for the first time since 2012. All three Bearden goals came in the last 19 minutes.

“It’s weight off my shoulders and the team,” Bearden senior Will Lewis said. “It was a great team win.”

Bearden’s soccer complex was announced as The Radcliffe-Kelly Soccer Complex at halftime.

It was named after the Radcliffe family and Jim Kelly, who led the drive in the early 2000s to construct the complex.

Bearden coach Ryan Radcliffe is part of the Radcliffe family and has won a state soccer championship as a player and coach.

Bearden coach Ryan Radcliffe watches his players during a game against Farragut at Bearden on Friday, April 21, 2017. Bearden defeated Farragut 3-2.

His mother, Linda, was a longtime assistant soccer coach, team manager and teacher at Bearden. She was at the game with her husband, Rick, who maintains the soccer complex and fields. Their other son, Derick, also was an outstanding player for Bearden.

“It was a lot of distractions,” Ryan Radcliffe said. “I think the only distraction we needed was knowing we hadn’t beaten them since 2012.”

Farragut took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute on Wes Jeter’s goal off Zach Shopovick’s assist.

Nathan Miller’s rebound goal off Shopovick’s corner kick made it 2-0 in the 41st minute.

Lewis scored on a direct kick just outside the 18-yard box with 18:08 left.

Bearden's Connor Cross (29) celebrates a goal during a game against Farragut at Bearden on Friday, April 21, 2017. Bearden defeated Farragut 3-2.

With 7:23 to play, Cole Hilton made a long direct kick from about 70 yards to Caleb Wilkins, whose header bounced past Farragut keeper Brandon Keane. Connor Cross scored in the open goal, tying the game.

Wilkins scored the winning goal on a header with 6:45 left after a direct kick by Mitchell Mazrimas from beyond midfield.

“It was a big statement by the boys to battle back after being down,” Ryan Radcliffe said. “It says a lot about the boys and the senior class.”

Dave Link is a freelance contributor.