Addison Batey wins a header and fights off defensive pressure from Community. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
BELL BUCKLE — The No. 4 seeded Community Viqueens gave Cascade a bit of a scare after scoring the first goal of Tuesday night’s District 9-A semifinal match.
Although the Viqueens struck the first blow, top-seeded Cascade stormed back by scoring three unanswered goals to advance to Thursday night’s championship match with a 3-1 win over the cross-town rival.
“I think our girls never give up. They work hard and knew what the goal was,” Lady Champion coach Wendy Williams said.
The two teams battled in a brutal, physical match through the entirety of the first half, but it was Cascade who dominated the possession with several shots on goal.
While Cascade continued to pepper the goal with shots, Viqueen keeper Carlie Blanton kept the Purple and Gold well in the match with save after save.
The Viqueens celebrate after scoring the match’s first goal from Audrina Bearden in the 44th minute. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
“Their goalkeeper is great. We had some great shots and she made some great saves. That’s just a testament of how good she is,” Williams said.
The scoreless stalemate stood through the remainder of the first half.
But in the 44th minute, Community’s Audrina Bearden hit the crossbar on a shot on goal, which ricocheted to
Emma Neill chases down a loose ball after a goal kick. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
the back of the net for the 1-0 Viqueen lead.
“I told the girls we were kind of the underdogs going in as the fourth seed against the first. I told them to come out strong. I think we took them by surprise by getting that first goal and the lead. We had some momentum going,” Viqueen coach Allyse Cooper
Kaylee Martin (9) settles a 50-50 ball and fights off pressure from Community’s Bailey Helton. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
said.
Although Community grabbed the momentum with the first goal, the score didn’t stand long as Cascade needed less than two minutes to score the equalizer off the toe of Kyla Pulley, with the assist by Lexi Comstock in the 45th minute.
With the score once again deadlocked, possession stayed near midfield through the most of the next 10 minutes, although Cascade was able to still come up with more shots on goal.
In the 58th minute, Cascade’s Kaylee Martin streaked down the left flank and fired a contested lob shot from 20 yards out for the go-ahead score.
Cascade added one extra insurance goal, following a penalty assessed against Community in the box.
Olivia lined up the penalty kick and laced the shot to the corner of the goal for the final score of the night.
While Cascade fired off 30 shots against Community, both coaches were complimentary of Blanton’s play.
“It’s going to be very sad to see her leave and find someone to fill her shoes,” Cooper said.
For Community, it marks the end of the road for seniors Bearden, Blanton, Stevie Dickenson, Alisha Hartsfield and Bailey Helto
Viqueen keeper Carlie Blanton dives and swats a shot away from the goal in the first half. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
n.
“We came from coaching the middle school, so we had all these girls in middle school too. Seeing them go from that level to where they are now is such big growth. The underclassmen look up to them a lot.
I think they’ve made a positive impact,” Cooper said.
Cascade advances to the District 9-A championship, which the Lady Champions will host on Thursday night at 6 p.m.
“We’re going to have to remember to play our game. We’ve got a lot of talent on this team. We’re going to have to play as a team, keep our team mentality and keep our eyes on the goal,” Williams said.
Community 0 1 — 1
Cascade 0 3 — 3
Second Half
Comm — Audrina Bearden goal, (44th minute).
Cas — Kyla Pulley goal, Lexi Comstock assist, (45th minute).
Cas — Kaylee Martin goal (58th minute).
Cas — Olivia Winnett penalty kick goal, (68th minute).
