Farragut boys soccer ends Bearden's season with 1-0 win

Dave Link

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Bearden High School won’t defend its Class AAA state soccer championship.

Farragut ended the season for the rival Bulldogs with a 1-0 victory Wednesday night in a District 4-AAA tournament elimination game at Bearden.

“This is something I’ll never forget,” Farragut sophomore keeper Brandon Keane said.

Bearden's Cole Hilton walks off the field after the 1-0 loss to Farragut in the District 4-AAA Semi-Finals at Bearden on Wednesday, May 9, 2017.

Farragut (15-5-1) plays at Maryville on Friday for the district championship. Both teams advance to next week’s Region 2-AAA semifinals.

Teammates surround Farragut's Pablo Herrera after Herrera scores against Bearden in the first half of the 1-0 win in the District 4-AAA Semi-Finals at Bearden on Wednesday, May 9, 2017.

Bearden (13-5-1) and Farragut won’t be in the same district next year with Bearden moving to District 2-AAA along with West, while Farragut will remain in 4-AAA.

However, the rivalry won’t go away with Farragut and Bearden planning to play non-district games in the future.

Farragut's Wes Jeter and Bearden's TJ Seaman attempt to head the ball. Farragut beat Bearden, 1-0, in the District 4-AAA Semi-Finals at Bearden on Wednesday, May 9, 2017.

“We’ll definitely keep playing Bearden,” Farragut coach Ray Dover said.

Bearden beat Farragut 3-2 on April 21 by scoring three goals in the last 19 minutes. It was the Bulldogs’ first soccer win over Farragut since 2012. The Admirals gained a measure of revenge Wednesday.

“That kept me awake a lot of times at night,” Keane said, “and I’m glad to be back to take the win tonight.”

Bearden goalkeeper Andrew Wilkens blocks a Farragiut shot attempt. Farragut beat Bearden, 1-0, in the District 4-AAA Semi-Finals at Bearden on Wednesday, May 9, 2017.

Farragut took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute when Pablo Herrera fired a shot from 25 yards into the right corner of the net past keeper Andrew Wilkins. Austin Bihlmeyer got the assist.

Wilkins made a diving save on a header by Farragut’s Nathan Miller with 4 minutes, 50 seconds left in the half.

Bearden missed two scoring chances in the final 20 seconds of the half.

The Bulldogs’ Will Lewis had a direct kick from 25 yards blocked by Keane.

With time running out, Emre Ucak’s corner kick was headed in the goalie box by T.J. Seaman, and the ball bounced off the top right corner of the crossbar as the clock sounded.

Bearden had eight shots in the first half, four on goal. Farragut had nine shots, three on goal.

The Bulldogs finished with 19 shots, eight on goal. The Admirals had 14 shots, four on goal.

Farragut goalkeeper Brandon Keane stops a shot attempt. Farragut beat Bearden, 1-0, in the District 4-AAA Semi-Finals at Bearden on Wednesday, May 9, 2017.

“Three weeks ago we left our hearts out on the field (against Bearden), and tonight we came out and put it back on our chests,” Dover said.

Bearden coach Ryan Radcliffe said: “Credit (Keane). He was outstanding.”

Dave Link is a freelance contributor.