What to know about the TSSAA state soccer tournament after Day 3 at Spring Fling

MURFREESBORO — Division II held its state soccer championships in Class A and AA during Spring Fling on Thursday.

Here is what to know about those games and what to look for in Friday's Division I championships games.

Star of the day

David Martin, Christian Brothers. Martin's goal in the 69th minute broke a 1-1 tie and was the deciding goal for the Purple Wave in the DII-AA championship. Martin had only one shot on goal in the semifinal Wednesday but had five Thursday and continually pressured Father Ryan's defense.

Best championship game

Christian Brothers vs. Father Ryan. The Purple Wave had lost in the semifinals the previous three state tournaments but broke through for its first state championship since 2016. Father Ryan's Reece Rayhab tied it in the 61st minute before Martin's heroics eight minutes later.

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Key moment

Ben Pensky. The Knoxville Webb star took advantage of a Franklin Grace Christian foul in the box. Pensky stroked his penalty kick in the 17th minute, beating Grace goalie Mercidieu Alexis, and that goal held up as Webb completed an undefeated season and its first state crown since 2016.

Key upcoming games

Class A

Friday

Austin-East vs. Gatlinburg-Pittman, 11 a.m. This is an All-District 2 state championship game with familiar opponents facing off for a state crown. Austin-East has won two of three against Gatlinburg-Pittman this season.

Class AA

Friday

Sevier County vs. Page, 4 p.m. In 2019, Page had only five wins and lost in the first round of its District 11-AA tournament. This season, the Patriots are 19-1-2 and are on a 10-game win streak. It's the most victories for the program since 2017's 18-win campaign. Sevier is led by Bryan Moran, who has four goals in two state tournament games.

Class AAA

Friday

Houston vs. Bearden, 1:30 p.m. Houston and Bearden have won a combined 11 state championships since 1993. This is the first time the two teams have met for a state title since 2001 when Bearden won 1-0. Bearden won the 2019 state title while Houston's last state title was 2015.

Friday's players to watch 

Miguel Marquez, Sevier County. Like Moran, Marquez has been lethal with follow-up shots on goal. Both of Marquez's goal in Wednesday's AA semifinal were off rebound misses.

John Gorman, Page. The Patriots haven't scored a lot of goals (2) in this tournament, but their defense has been impressive, shutting out both opponents led by Gorman, who has six saves in two games.

Everett Furnas, Houston. Furnas had a goal in Houston's opening win against Station Camp Tuesday and followed with another in Wednesday's semifinal against Oakland.

Ezekiel Nsabiyunva, Austin-East. The midfielder has created space and been a threat to score with two goals already in Class A state tournament.

Oscar Turcios, Gatlinburg-Pittman. Turcios got the state tournament going in a huge way, scoring seven goals in a 9-0 win over Memphis East Tuesday.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports