The Baylor School girls' soccer team stands one win away from the 10th TSSAA state championship in program history.
Providing postseason heroics for the second game in a row was center back Zoe Misenhimer, with the sophomore sparking the Lady Red Raiders' attack in Thursday's 2-0 victory over Hutchison in a Division II-AA semifinal at GPS.
Ranked 13th nationally in the United Soccer Coaches poll, Baylor (15-1-1) will face Harpeth Hall (14-3) in the DII-AA title match at 6:30 p.m. Friday at CHI Memorial Stadium in East Ridge, the home of USL League One's Chattanooga Red Wolves and the host venue for all five TSSAA girls' soccer finals this weekend.
Misenhimer has now scored a goal and assisted on another in her last two matches, last Saturday's quarterfinal at home against Lipscomb Academy and Thursday's victory against Hutchison (10-5-2).
"Zoe has played big time for us the past two games," Baylor coach Curtis Blair said. "Right now, every ball she is playing in almost is very dangerous. We missed some other chances she created today, and we have to do a better job of finishing those. But I am proud of this team and how we really defended well today."
With nothing to show on several promising crosses in close during the first half, Misenhimer fielded a pass on the right sideline from senior Emery Carico late in the period, and she took one touch before blasting a right-footed shot past an oncoming leaping defender.
Misenhimer's 25-yard strike tumbled at the last minute over the top of the Hutchison keeper's hands and into the upper quadrant of the goal for the opening score in the 35th minute.
"When I took the shot, I thought the ball was going to go over the crossbar," said Misenhimer, who transferred from Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville after her freshman season. "But when I saw the ball go in, I was in shock. I was so surprised. To get to celebrate that moment with my teammates was awesome."
In the 50th minute, extra cushion was provided when sophomore Elizabeth Silva knocked the ball in at the back left post on a well-struck corner kick from Misenhimer.
Baylor continued to present one of the toughest defenses in the state as a speedy and observant back line limited Hutchison's chances to just five shots and one corner kick. The Lady Red Raiders took 15 shots and had 10 corner kicks.
Junior keeper Sara Hill provided even more momentum for the Lady Red Raiders' defensive performance as she saved a hard penalty kick that was shot directly at her in the 60th minute. Hill leads a defense that has allowed only seven goals this season, with three of those coming against Bearden (21-0-1), which is ranked No. 3 nationally in the USC poll and has reached Saturday's Class AAA final against Ravenwood (11-5-0).
"Our backs really did a good job of keeping things in front today and limiting Hutchison's chances," Blair said. "I also give Emery Carico a lot of credit today. We put her in as a defensive (midfielder), and she really solidified things there. We were struggling there a little bit, and when she came in she did a great job of winning things and playing simple. She came in and gave us that composure and just won everything."
Baylor has a 9-7 all-time record in TSSAA state finals, with its most recent appearance in 2021 and its ninth and most recent title coming in 2017. Now the Lady Red Raiders will try to get to double digits.
"We made it this far as a team. Not just one individual effort," Misenhimer said. "We have all worked hard together to get here. The seniors have pushed us and been with us every step of the way. They have been a great light through this whole journey. We really want to end this ride at the top spot."
Division II-A
St. George's 2, Silverdale Baptist 1 (OT): A phenomenal season came to a crushing close for the Lady Seahawks (18-3), with the Lady Gryphons scoring what proved to be the winning goal in the third minute of the second 10-minute overtime period.
Silverdale scored first in the seventh minute as its dynamic duo of Addie Chapman and Abigail Witten connected for the final time in their star prep careers, with Chapman assisting Witten. However, the lead lasted less than seven minutes as St. George's answered with a Pippa Rhodes goal on a Liza Saenger assist.
St. George's (13-4-1) reeled off 32 shots opposed to 20 for the Lady Seahawks, and Julia Giolo scored the winner off a cross from Batie Casey.
The Lady Gryphons will face Evangelical Christian School (17-2) in the DII-AA final at 4 p.m. Friday at CHI Memorial Stadium.
Class AA
Greeneville 3, Signal Mountain 0: Anna Shaw scored two goals and also had an assist to help push Greeneville (14-7-1) into the title match.
Signal Mountain (14-7-1) produced nine shots combined by senior Ava Duffey and eighth grader Caroline Usrey.
Greeneville will face Station Camp (16-4-2) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the AA final, with the AAA matchup of Bearden and Ravenwood at 4. Saturday's schedule begins with the 11 a.m. final for Class A, with Liberty Creek (16-2) taking on Merrol Hyde (18-5) in that match.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.