USJ girls soccer ends BGA's two-year DII-A title reign with 1-0 win in championship

For the first time since 2011, the University School of Jackson girls soccer team is a state champion.

In a rematch of last year's DII-A girls soccer championship, USJ enacted some revenge, beating Battle Ground Academy  1-0 Friday afternoon at CHI Memorial Stadium in Chattanooga and ending the Lady Wildcats' two-year reign as champions. 

BGA (14-4) beat USJ 1-0 last season to win the DII-A championship.

"It is a wonderful achievement and I think the players deserve all the credit," said USJ coach Paul Conway. "Their ability to learn from last year and prepare this year to get better. We showed it today and were ready to play, and we dug it out even when they were not playing well."

The first 30 minutes featured back-and-forth play with both sides getting opportunities on goal.

Morgan English finally broke the deadlock for USJ (19-5).

A BGA foul lined up Betha Pucek just outside the right side of the box in the 33rd minute for a free kick. Pucek sent a cross that found English, who headed it in to put the Lady Bruins up a goal at the half. 

English finished the game with a team-high five shots and three shots on goal. 

"I think USJ learned from our last matchup to come out incredibly strong by playing direct and muscling their way around the field," BGA coach Jan Morrissey said. "That mindset put us on our back foot and took us out of our rhythm the first half.

BGA did not go away though.

The Lady Wildcats had a golden opportunity to tie the game with 12 minutes remaining as Eva Schreiber got loose on a through-ball and faced a one-on-one with USJ keeper Lilly Kate Varino. 

Varino made the save and over the next few minutes, made several more to preserveher clean sheet. She finished with nine saves and her 11th shutout of the season.

"She was key. You do not win state titles without big performances from big players. There was a moment in the second half where she was in a one on one situation and we just believed she was going to make the save and she did. ... Really pleased for her — she absolutely had a great performance," Conway said.

BGA had a 19-5 shooting advantage and a 10-4 advantage in shots on goal but the USJ defense held strong time and time again. 

Reach Joe Spears at jspears2@gannett.com or 731-343-4923. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joe_spears7.