5 big things from soccer sectional matches
Cecil JoyceCentral Magnet earned its fourth straight trip to the state tournament with a Class AA sectional win (2-1 in overtime) over Loudon Sunday while Blackman wasn't as fortunate, falling 3-1 to Cookeville in the AAA sectional.
Oakland was eliminated on Saturday in the AAA sectional at Cleveland, falling 3-1.
Central Magnet will play Tuesday at 4 against CPA in the Class A-AA state tournament at Richard Siegel Park.
Here are five big things from the weekend's sectional soccer battles:
Surf to turf
Central Magnet and Blackman both scheduled their respective sectional battles Saturday at Richard Siegel Park. It was planned for a doubleheader.
However, almost halfway through the Tigers' A-AA contest against Loudon, a lightning delay was called. Then the bottom dropped out, as heavy rains ensued and continued for almost two hours before the contest and Blackman's game were both postponed.
Head coaches and officials gathered just before postponement and devised a play to resume the CMS-Loudon matchup and then play the Blackman-Cookeville battle on Sunday at Nolensville High.
The new Williamson County school has a turf football/soccer field.
What a difference a day makes
Prior to Saturday's postponement, Central Magnet wasn't playing its best soccer and trailed Loudon 1-0.
The Tigers looked much different on Sunday, getting numerous more scoring chances. They finally cashed in in the 83rd minute, tying the contest on a Luis Sanchez goal.
After going to the second 10-minute OT period still tied at 1, Cole Yoders gave CMS the lead for good on a goal that was deflected off of the Loudon keeper.
Long drive back
While Central looked sharper, Loudon didn't look nearly like the team it was the day before. A 2 1/2-hour drive to Murfreesboro and back on Saturday evening, followed by another trip early Sunday may have been a factor.
Of course, Cookeville made a similar - albeit not as far - trip itself both Saturday and Sunday. The Cavaliers showed no ill effect in their win over the Blaze.
Streak-stoppers
Blackman saw a 10-game streak without a loss come to an end in the Class AAA sectional. The Blaze hadn't lost since a 3-0 setback to Oakland on April 11.
The three goals allowed tied a season high for Blackman as well. As well as the previous Oakland loss, Blackman also allowed that in a 5-3 win over Riverdale on May 5.
In the other 14 matches, Blackman allowed just eight goals combined.
Oakland entered the Region 4-AAA finals having allowed just eight goals in its first 18 games (including clean sheets in the first seven).
However, the Patriots allowed six goals in the final two games, both 3-1 losses.
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One event to the other
Central Magnet finished off Loudon at around 4:30 p.m. Sunday and seniors quickly marched back to Murfreesboro to graduate at 7 p.m.
Blackman held its graduation Saturday evening as players went from that to preparing for the sectional contest.
Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.