Spring Fling: Loudon soccer in state tournament for first time, playing for title

MURFREESBORO —  Loudon has celebrated twice at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex. 

Is there room for a third celebration? 

"We have to right? Let's go for the championship," said an elated Loudon soccer coach Yoni Espinoza after the Redskins (15-7) defeated Fairview 2-1 Wednesday in the Class AA state soccer tournament semifinals.

Defending state champion Greeneville (22-2-1), a 5-1 winner over Stratford, now stands in the way in Friday's championship game at 5 p.m. ET.

Loudon trailed 1-0 when Fairview scored 2:06 into the game. Israel Zavala scored three minutes into the second half and Jesus Lara scored the game-winner off a corner kick with 27 minutes to play.

"We started slow," said Espinoza. "We were sleeping and they put that one. Usually that is us. Luckily these guys have the heart and they came out and got it done.  

Fransisco Aguillera scored 55 seconds into the quarterfinal game against South-Doyle  Tuesday night. Aguillera added a goal with 16:45 left in the first half and scored a goal in the second half as the Redskins, making their first state appearance in soccer, ended South-Doyle's Cinderella-like run 4-1.

The run to the championship game has been even more special for Espinzona, a former player for the Redskins  and a 2005 graduate.

"It's a great. I love it," said Espinoza on Tuesday as his daughter Sofia, 4, interjected about missing the team photo as she sat on her dad's broad shoulders. "This is what we have been working for six years, so we're here. And we have to enjoy every bit of it."

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Loudon won the Region 3-AA championship with wins over DeKalb County and Kingston and held off Region 4-AA champion Sequoyah 4-2 in overtime to win its sectional game.

"These boys believed it and played like it," said Espinoza.

South-Doyle (15-5-3), another state newcomer with back-to-back penalty kick victories over Catholic and Sevier County behind keeper Boone Bratton, trailed 4-0 after the first half. Aguillera's first goal in under a minute not only gave Loudon the lead but quieted a very boisterous South-Doyle cheering section.  

"They don't know us in Chattanooga," said Espinoza about the makeup of the majority of Region 4-AA. "Let's show them who we are. Luckily we came over to state and now everyone knows."