Ashton Blair's play in goal leads Central past Catholic in Region 2-AA championship

The way Central goal keeper Ashton Blair turned back shot after shot in spectacular fashion, it became increasingly likely that one score might just be enough for the Lady Bobcats against host Catholic Thursday in the Region 2-AA soccer championship game.

The hunch proved spot on as Braelyn Bruce’s goal (Kyleigh Haught assist) off a run down the ride side in the 45th minute stood the test of time as Central prevailed with a 1-0 upset of the Lady Irish.

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Blair, an imposing 6-foot-2 sophomore, corralled 21 Catholic shots as the Lady Bobcats (12-4-2) advanced to Saturday’s sectional round against Seymour at Central.

“She (Blair) is fantastic -- she’s  changer,” said Central coach Bill Mize, whose Lady Bobcats won their first region soccer title in school history.

Catholic (14-5-1), which lost to Central for the first time in three meetings this season, faces a tough sectional task at Greeneville (15-4-3).

Greeneville blanked Seymour, 8-0, in Thursday’s Region 1 title match.

Saturday’s sectional winners advance to next week’s state tournament in Murfreesboro.

After losing 8-0 in the regular season and 3-2 in the district championship game to Catholic, Bruce said Central came out with a different mindset Thursday.

“Everyone just communicated well, we worked together and we got the job done,” she said.

“It’s the best feeling ever.”

Blair turned in a spectacular first 10 minutes of the second half, stopping solid shots on frame by Catholic’s Ellie Wolski, Erica Patterson and Natalie Eilerman in rapid-fire succession.

“She’s amazing, not just because of her saves, but her punts go 55 to 60 yards every time,” Mize said.

Central, after watching Catholic control play in the first half, turned up the energy to start the second half.

“There was a different tone in the second half,” said Mize, whose team managed just nine shots.

“The first 15 to 20 minutes we kind of took control and kind of hung on. They (Catholic) played great, but we’re very good defensively. That one goal was all it took.”

Mike Blackerby is a freelance contributor