
The Cascade Lady Champs pose with their Region 5-A title plaque after winning the tournament for the second-straight year. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
BELL BUCKLE — Give ‘em two-straight.
For the second-straight year, the Cascade Lady Champions (13-2-1) hoisted the Region 5-A title plaque following Thursday night’s 1-0 win against Huntland.
Huntland has been the team to beat this season for Cascade and following the rematch of the District 9-A championship on Thursday, marked the fourth win the Lady Champions have secured over Huntland this season.
“It just means so much to our girls. They’ve worked so hard this year and they’ve really come together as a team. I’m just so proud of them for everything they’ve accomplished,” Lady Champion coach Wendy Williams said.
While Cascade holds a 4-0 record against the Lady Hornets this season, the degree of separation between the teams is nothing more than a razor thin margin.
In four wins against Huntland, Cascade holds wins by margins of 4-2, 3-2, 1-0 and 1-0.
In Thursday night’s region title match, Cascade got on the board after a series of runs at the Lady Hornet goal, snuffed out by the smothering Huntland defense.
While their matchup in the District 9-A finals ended with a goal in the 74th minute, in the region championship, Kelsey Shatley found the back of the net in the 21st minute following a cross to the middle of the box that she fired to the back corner of th

Senior Sophie Ray puts a header on a ball and pushes the ball toward midfield. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
e net.
Cascade had a chance to play add on in the final 30 seconds of the first half on a corner, but Huntland’s back line cleared the ball and the Lady Champs’ one-goal lead held into the half.
While Cascade dominated the possession through the first half, Huntland exited the intermission on a mission and pressed possession into the Lady Champion end of the field.
For nearly 20 minutes of relentless attacks on Cascade’s goal, the Lady Hornets held the advantage and pressured Cascade’s defense with multiple scoring opportunities.
While Cascade’s defense bent, it never broke.
The Lady Champion back line held strong and after the near 20-minute barrage, Cascade was able to clear the ball and at that point, the match became a game of keep away to bleed out the remaining clock.
“Our defense stayed strong, even when they (Huntland) came out strong in the second half. We were just able to hang on,” Williams said.
Cascade finished with 14 shots on goal to Huntland’s seven and it was again Lady Champion keeper Irai

The Lady Champions rush to celebrate with Kelsey Shatley (No. 7) after she scored the match’s lone goal. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
s Rojas who recorded a shutout in goal.
For Cascade, the recipe is a perfect remedy of camaraderie, work ethic and team-first mentality that has the Lady Champs on a 12-match win-streak heading into Saturday’s Class A state sectional.
“I just think it’s their work ethic, their attitude and their team mentality. They’ve really meshed as a team. None of them give up,” Williams said.
On Saturday afternoon, Cascade will host Cheatham County, who fell to Westview in the Region 6-A championship, 3-0.
For Cascade to come out with a 14th straight victory, Williams said it’s just a matter of her team sticking to their game plan and leaning on their strengths.
“I think just the same thing we’ve been doing. Lock in and be ready for a fight and just do everything we can to make it happen,” she said.
With the hopes of a second-straight trip to the Class A state tournament on the line, Cascade will host Cheatham County on Saturday afternoon.
Huntland 0 0 — 0
Cascade 1 0 — 1
First Half
C — Kelsey Shatley goal, (21st minute).