Heartbreak halts Lady Mavericks’ dream season
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Anderson County’s Kate Swisher (10) controls the ball under pressure from a Greeneville defender during the 2025 TSSAA girls soccer sectional. The Lady Mavericks battled through two extra sessions before falling 1-0, closing out a strong postseason run. - Tony Cox
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Anderson County goalkeeper Bria Willis makes a leaping save during the Lady Mavericks’ Class AA sectional match against Greeneville on Saturday night. - Tony Cox
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Anderson County’s Kaili Villalba works the sideline during the Lady Mavericks’ Class AA sectional match against Greeneville on Saturday. - Tony Cox
The 2025 season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion for the Anderson County High School girls soccer team Saturday night.
The District 4-AA and Region 2-AA champion Lady Mavericks and Greeneville were locked in a scoreless tie after 80 minutes of regulation and nearly 20 minutes of extra time before the Lady Devils scored inside the final two minutes.
The decisive goal came off a corner kick as Greeneville punched its ticket to the Class AA state tournament for the 11th-consecutive year with a 1-0 victory at ACHS.
“We’re always the bridesmaid and never the bride,” Lady Mavericks Coach Chris Curtin said.
“This was tough. They score off a corner kick where you have a bunch of players around the net, and somebody breaks free and puts the ball in the back of the net.”
Despite falling short of a trip to Chattanooga and a shot at the state title, Curtin said, this group will always hold a special place in his heart.
“I thought this would be our year,” he said. “I really like this team, and what I like most was their resilience. I remember when we played Powell and lost 5-0, and then we bounced back and dominated Karns.”
The 2025 Lady Mavericks featured balance and depth throughout the lineup.
“What I really liked about this team is that they’re a great bunch of kids — a great bunch of girls,” Curtin said.
“They played for each other, and they played well together. We had great parents, and I had 17 girls on my varsity roster. I could put any of those 11 on the field, make substitutions, and not see much of a drop-off. Our kids all shared in that together.”
Saturday’s match capped a postseason that included three overtime contests.
The Lady Mavericks claimed the Region 2-AA championship with a 2-1 overtime win over district rival Gibbs on Thursday night in Clinton.
The Lady Eagles took a late lead when freshman Dani Angola converted a penalty kick, but Anderson County stormed back with two unanswered goals. Six minutes later, Kate Swisher tied the match, and Kate Ahlstedt netted the game-winner.
The Lady Mavericks also defeated Gibbs a week earlier in the District 4-AA title match, winning 1-0 in overtime on a goal from Olivia Madron, who recorded an assist in the region championship game.