Wildcats find their stride in tourney, capture District 3-AAA championship
After a slow start to the season, the Oak Ridge High School boys soccer team rallied to win another District 3-AAA tournament championship.
The Wildcats secured the title with a 3-1 victory over Knoxville Halls on Friday night at home.
Three different players scored in the championship match for Oak Ridge (9-9-1), which surged late in the season to earn the tournament’s No. 1 seed.
Evan Cantu, Eli Pearson and Ayden Clements each netted goals in the win.
Following a first-round bye, the Wildcats defeated Karns 3-1 in a semifinal match Wednesday, May 7, at home.
Daniel Perez-Rodriguez scored twice, while Cantu added a goal for Oak Ridge.
The Wildcats opened Region 2-AAA tournament play at home Tuesday night against District 4-AAA runner-up Hardin Valley Academy, but results were not available at press time.
Oak Ridge entered the regional elimination match on a three-game winning streak. Hardin Valley (13-3-3) was coming off a 5-1 loss to defending Class AAA state champion Bearden in the District 4-AAA title match Friday at Turner-Allender Field in West Knoxville.
