Lady Wildcats fall in opener
Oak Ridge’s Lilah Kim traps a pass near the touchline while holding off a Knox Catholic defender. (photo:ORHS Sports Media )
The Lady Wildcats dropped a 2-1 decision to Knoxville Catholic on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Blaine Stadium in Knoxville.
“Our girls just came in with the mindset that we’re good, and they didn’t take the game seriously,” Oak Ridge Coach Trenna Underwood said. “I think this was a wake-up call for us.
“We had our chances all over the place. We had 1-v-1s with their goalkeeper, hit the crossbar, and just couldn’t finish. It was a rough night.”
Oak Ridge (0-1) got its lone goal when Hayven Laurendine converted a penalty kick in the second half.
The schedule doesn’t get any easier this week. Oak Ridge played its home opener Tuesday against Knoxville West (results were not available at press time). The Lady Rebels are expected to contend in the ultra-competitive District 4-AAA race.
The Lady Wildcats will then head into the Bearden Invitational, where they’ll meet Webb School of Knoxville on Thursday at 4:30 p.m., Maryville on Friday and Greeneville on Saturday.
Underwood said her team’s attack must sharpen.
“Our forwards are going to have to be more composed and better at the net,” she said.
“We’re going to have some tough games. I don’t want to call these preseason games, but I’m using them to get us ready for what really matters, and that’s the district and the region.”
