Cleveland--Bradley Central

[CREE]

Who won this District 5AAA match??? Any details

[soccer21]

The Cleveland High School Lady Raiders and Bradley Central High School Bearettes met on the soccer field at Bradley Central, with the home team escaping with a 3-2 win.

 

Both coaches admit it did feel a bit strange to be facing each other this early in the season, but agreed it would most likely help their respective teams in the long run.

 

"It was a unique thing this year," said Cleveland head coach Andy Byrd. "And I think there's a good chance we'll get to see them in the post season this year."

 

For Bradley Central head coach Chrissy McKinney, scheduling the in-town rivalry so early was a necessity.

 

"We have two tournaments back-to-back, so we needed to fill our home games as soon as we could," McKinney said.

 

The large crowd gathered for the evening's game did not leave disappointed, whether their team won or lost.

 

Neither team was willing to give away an inch.

 

"I think Cleveland came out ready to put the pressure on us, not necessarily to play soccer, but to defend us and they did that real well," McKinney said.

 

Byrd said he was impressed at the way his Lady Raiders (1-2-1) came out and competed.

 

"We've improved tremendously," Byrd said. "These girls come out here and work hard. They've got bruises, black eyes. They understand this is a contact sport."

 

Both teams got a small taste of that physicality. Bearettes star Savannah Neeley was injured in a collision with Lady Raiders goalkeeper Kate Hilliard. Cleveland freshman Christina Bahn injured an ankle during the match also.

 

Both coaches said they expected their respective players to be ready for action the next game.

 

The action on the field started favorably for the Bearettes (2-0) when Neeley unleashed a shot from about 30 or 40 yards out.

 

"That first goal, you can't do anything about," Byrd said. "Neeley hit that one from about 30-40 yards. There's just nothing you could do about that one."

 

McKinney couldn't say enough about her hard-nosed star.

 

"Savannah came out and played aggressive today," McKinney said. "She was not trying to take it all on herself, but give it to her teammates, too."

 

A few minutes later, the Lady Raiders were able to answer on a Megan Foggin goal.

 

The Bearettes refused to let the Lady Raiders keep the momentum.

 

Whitney Cope unleashed a shot that was blocked by Cleveland's Hilliard. However, Hilliard could not hold on to the ball and it rolled free of her grasp.

 

Heather Myers was following the play and was able to knock the in goal. The Bearettes took a 2-1 lead into the intermission.

 

Early in the second half, the Bearettes were able to get an insurance goal when Cope banged in the shot off a corner-kick assist from Rebecca Webb.

 

The Bearettes seemed to be in control of the game, using their powerful legs to drive the ball deep down the field.

 

"We work on that, especially feeding the ball," McKinney said. "Today, they were making good kicks and passing with intent. I don't want them coming out here and just whacking at the ball and they didn't do that today."

 

But the Lady Raiders were not ready to go down without a fight.

 

Bahn cut the Bearettes' lead to 3-2 on a breakaway goal as she sprinted ahead of everybody on the field.

 

"Bahn had a great game and she's just a freshman," Byrd said. "Caitlin Ingram had a great game and she's just a freshman, too. Our freshmen really stepped up and played a great game."

 

The play of his freshmen gave Byrd a bit of optimism, which left him wishing for more time.

 

"I think if we had more time, we would have been able to knock the ball in again and tie it up," Byrd said.

 

The Bearettes take to the road on Tuesday to face Cumberland County.

 

The Lady Raiders will be at home when they face McMinn County on Tuesday.

[adambchs]

"GO SOCCER" you had to be there I guess when I yelled that I was cheering for both teams but it was just meant for Bradley I watched some Edited August 28, 2004 by adambchs

[MooseGK]

You can not forget the defense. All I really know is that Mandi Elliott dominates Bradley defense. She is the backbone of the team and has stopped numerous goals from occuring. Hats off to this all-star.

[jstone14]

I agree. Plus, Vanna is just cool. She still doesn't know how to do a stepover yet...it's ok though. She shoots like a guy. =)

[Wv_Soccer12]

Your right. No reason for stepovers when you

shoot like a guy..and do it from 20 or 30 ft out.

[mnewballer21]

good game bradley

[mnewballer21]

and good game to cleveland too