MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- CSAS travelled to Murfreesboro Tuesday afternoon to take on Gatlinburg-Pittman in the quarterfinals of the DI-A tournament. The Patriots lost 3-1 to the Highlanders.
Gatlinburg got off to a quick start—opening the scoring in the sixth minute off a long ball to center forward Brody Cravens who laid it off to Aiden Jennette at the top of the box. Jennette calmly slotted it into the bottom right corner making it 1-0.
The wingers for Gatlinburg created problems all night. Their off-the-ball movement consistently found space between the outside backs and wing backs of CSAS.
Gatlinburg-Pittman played in a 3-2-2-3 with two 6s in behind two 10s in the midfield. The focus was to get the ball out wide as quickly as possible and let its wingers go to work on the counter—often looking for a cross.
Sophomore Carlos Turcious especially impressed in this setup, constantly finding space to turn and run at an isolated defender.
CSAS—usually playing a more possession-based style—seemed a bit rushed in the first half often leading to a poor pass. Its five-man midfield—spearheaded by senior Gavin Castle shifting to the 10 role in attack—failed to maintain the ball much at all through the first forty minutes.
Despite the Highlander’s impressive start, CSAS found its equalizer with the right foot of Castle. His free kick ability had been heralded before the game—and it did not disappoint—burying CSAS’s first. Gatlinburg brought forward complaints about the restart, but the ref seemed uninterested.
The first half ended with the score knotted at one each.
CSAS head coach Wes Castle challenged his team to play their game in the second half—slowing it down and taking advantage of the possession Gatlinburg was allotting them.
The Patriots responded, keeping the game in their attacking third for large portions of the second half through simple, cross field passing.
The game went back and forth—with CSAS keeping possession for long spurts and Gatlinburg breaking on the counter when possible.
The game seemed to be at a stalemate, with neither team able to find an extra gear.
This lasted until the 78th minute, when Turcious hit on the counter and was dragged down in the box. The center ref immediately pointed to the spot, with minimal complaints from CSAS.
Jennette stepped up to the spot with a chance to complete his brace and send his team on to the semis—a cool low-driven pass into the left corner did just that.
The Patriots responded by sending extra men forward in search of one last miracle.
A minute later, Gatlinburg hit on the counter again and Turcious gave the Highlanders their third goal.
Gatlinburg-Pittman advance to play Madison Magnet Wednesday. The loss ends CSAS’s impressive season with a final record of 17-4-3.
Scoring Summary:
CSAS 1 0 – 1
Gatlinburg-Pittman 1 2 – 3
Goal Scorers:
CSAS- Gavin Castle
Gatlinburg-Pittman- Aiden Jennette (2), Carlos Turcious
(Email Will McElyea at sports@chattanoogan.com)