Pictured is the District 8-AA All-District soccer team
photo by Contributed
A week ago, the East Ridge Pioneers varsity soccer team was 6-9-1 and sitting in last place in the 2A district 8 standings with a 1-5 district record.
That was last week.
After a seven-goal thriller in which East Ridge came out on top against its rival Hixson in the district quarterfinals, the Pioneers eked out a 1-0 win to knock off third place Soddy Daisy in the semis and advance to the district championship.
The away fans were packing out Signal Mountain’s home stand an hour before the game started. East Ridge teachers— complete with orange cowbells—cheering on their students as well as calling them out for not giving their absolute best. An enthusiastic coach/motivational speaker who just about throws out tactics to remind his boys “We belong here!”
A lot can change in a week.
As for its opponent, the Eagles of Signal Mountain seemed to feel right at home.
Their disposition had an air of calmness to it, as if they belonged there—and rightfully so. The Eagles finished first in the district with an impressive 13-2-1 record, dismantling East Ridge in the regular season, 4-1.
Disney was ready to buy the rights to the script.
The game started out as a scrappy yet even affair with chances created on both sides.
Signal Mountain played in a 3-5-2 with one central midfielder stepping up in behind the two strikers in attack while the other two center mids shifted over to create two 6s in front of the back three. The Eagles biggest attacking threat came in transition as East Ridge would fail to track the midfield run of their number 8, creating a 3v3 on the counterattack.
East Ridge went with a more defensive setup, showing 3-1-2-1-3 formation with a single 6 in front of the back three and its attacking mid dropping almost into the 8 role to help pressure the three central midfielders of Signal Mountain.
East Ridge also opted to move star seniors Alexandro Briseno and Domingo Tercero-Jacinto back to help solidify its backline.
The first half ended 0-0, with all the questions being asked of the Eagles. They showed little in the way of breaking down the Pioneers’ defense—often settling for desperate shots from well outside of range.
East Ridge, on the other hand, grew in equal parts confident and weary.
Hands on knees and players bowing to ground every time play stopped painted a picture that can only be interpreted as the physical toll three high stakes games in one week can take on a team depleted of subs.
Nevertheless, East Ridge was still in it. Coach Jeremy McIntyre pleaded with his team for 40 more minutes—“If we keep playing the same, we’re gonna win this.”
Despite this plea, the Eagles—who hadn’t played a competitive game in seven days—finally wore East Ridge down.
11 minutes into the second half Signal Mountain sent a free kick into a crowded penalty area. The ball unexpectedly deadened at the feet of junior Yuji Steele who swept it in past the keeper. The Pioneers argued for the ref to call handball, but their cries fell on deaf ears.
East Ridge tried to respond quickly, constantly sending the ball forward to try to force an error on the defense. This nearly paid off when forward Jose Tercero-Jacinto blew past his marker and found himself with only the keeper to beat. The angle, however, did not work in his favor as the Eagle’s goalie was able to cover his near post and make the save.
Three minutes later, Signal Mountain extended its lead after a beautiful buildup of one-touch combination and possession down the left flank before cutting it in to sophomore Andrew Baker who calmly rolled it past a diving keeper.
With just over 10 minutes left, East ridge tried to claw back, moving Briseno to striker. While his speed and skill on the ball did help create a few half chances, it was too little too late for the Pioneers.
Signal Mountain is the 2023 District 8-AA hampions—winning by a score of 2-0. They go on to face Sequoyah Monday night in the region semifinals.
East Ridge’s Cinderella story isn’t over yet. With the Pioneers finishing runner-up in their district, they also bought themselves a place in the region semifinals as they go on to face East Hamilton on Monday.
Signal Mountain 0 2 – 2
East Ridge 0 0 – 0
8-AA All District Team
Signal Mountain: Owen Walker, Holt Carlson, Marc Bauer, Sam Eldridge
Soddy Daisy: Omar Lopez, David Lopez (MVP), Evan Aslinger
Red Bank: Estuardo Rabanales, Elijah Tillett
Sequatchie Co.: David Pardo
Hixson: Isaac Smith, Jaime Ibarra
East Ridge: Alex Briseno