Booting into state
Lady Mavs punch ticket to Chattanooga
-
Anderson County goalkeeper Bria Willis comes up with a clutch deflection during a penalty-kick shootout against Gibbs in the Region 2-2A soccer championship. Willis’ diving stop, followed by a successful penalty kick from Reagan Bedwell, secured the Lady Mavericks’ victory and punched their ticket to the sectional round against Elizabethton. - Tony Cox
-
Anderson County’s Leah Nichols (21) rises above a Gibbs defender to win a header during the Lady Mavericks’ regional championship soccer match. - Tony Cox
-
Anderson County’s Kate Swisher goes shoulder-to-shoulder with a Gibbs defender, fighting to gain the upper hand as the two players chase down a loose ball during the Region 2-2A championship match. - Tony Cox
-
Anderson County’s Roxana Aguilar (38) shows off her footwork as she controls the ball under pressure from a Gibbs defender during the Lady Mavericks’ Region 2-2A championship match. - Tony Cox
-
Anderson County’s Lily Trent (22) controls an inbound pass while using her body to shield the ball from a Gibbs defender during the Lady Mavericks’ region championship showdown on Thursday, Oct. 22. - Tony Cox
Seven proved to be the lucky number for the Anderson County High School girls soccer team.
After six previous trips to the sectional round in the last 11 seasons, the Lady Mavericks finally broke through Saturday, Oct. 24, earning the program’s first state tournament berth since 2004 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Elizabethton.
But Anderson County Coach Chris Curtin was quick to point out that luck had little to do with the achievement.
“I really felt like this was gonna be lucky number seven — but it wasn’t lucky, though,” Curtin said. “The girls just really executed everything; it’s a function of doing all the little things right; the fundamentals and executing on our style of play.
“And the girls did that really well, so I’m proud of them.”
Curtin, who has coached Anderson County since 2016, said the breakthrough was the culmination of a season-long commitment.
“One of the things that made it all come together is that we set a goal of going to state very early in the preseason really,” he said. “And every challenge that they faced and all the adversity that they faced throughout the season they realized that it was in preparation for this culminating moment.
“And so when it started to come together, I felt like they believed in themselves — and they made it happen.”
Curtin credited the leadership of three team-elected captains: senior striker Roxanna Aguilar, senior defender Morgan Haire and junior defensive midfielder Olivia Hayes.
“All three of those are elected positions. So I don’t pick them; the team picks them,” he said.
With one goal accomplished, the Lady Mavs have set their sights even higher.
“The next goal is to go and win the state tournament,” Curtin said.
Anderson County (15-5-1), the No. 5 seed, was scheduled to face fourth-seeded Sycamore (18-2) in Tuesday’s quarterfinals, Oct. 27, after press time.
A victory would send the Lady Mavs into Wednesday’s semifinals against the winner of top-seeded South Gibson (14-2-2) and No. 8 Greeneville.
The Division I-Class AA state championship match is scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT Friday, Oct. 30, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.
Anderson County left little doubt in Saturday’s sectional showdown, controlling the action on its home field and shutting out Elizabethton 3-0.
Aguilar, Delila Colby and Reagan Bedwell supplied the goals, while Kate Swisher contributed two assists and Lily Trent added another.
“We did a great job of controlling the midfield and really felt like Kate Swisher and Reagan Bedwell both stood out in that regard,” Curtin said. “I really felt like Reagan and Kate Swisher really dominated the midfield.
“We had another freshman playing in midfield, Ella Tyler, and she did a good job,” he added.
Senior goalkeeper Bria Willis preserved the shutout.
“Bria Willis had a clean sheet, our senior goalkeeper,” Curtin said. “So she obviously didn’t let anything in the goal.”
Before earning their sectional victory, the Lady Mavs had to survive a dramatic Region 2-AA championship match against Gibbs on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Anderson County.
The teams battled through 80 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime before finishing tied 1-1, forcing a penalty-kick shootout.
Aguilar scored Anderson County’s regulation goal off an assist from Swisher.
“That was a tough game,” Curtin said. “It’s really tough to beat somebody three times, and it’s even harder to do it in the span of four weeks. But the girls pulled it off.”
The Lady Mavs prevailed 2-1 in the shootout, with Swisher and Bedwell converting their penalty kicks.
Willis delivered two crucial saves, while two other Gibbs attempts missed the mark.
Curtin also credited assistant coach Karanna Bailey, who is completing her second season with the Lady Mavericks, for helping guide the team’s achievement.
“She’s been a phenomenal help; she works great with the girls and she helps keep me straight administratively,” Curtin said.
He added that Bailey has earned his complete confidence.
“And she’s somebody that I know that in my absence — if I have to miss coaching for some reason — that she is not only capable but accomplished, and she can take over and run with it,” he said.
“I would say that we coach together really well. She played for me when she was in middle school and then again when I was coaching in high school.”
Tony Cox | The Courier News
Tony Cox | The Courier News
Tony Cox | The Courier News
Tony Cox | The Courier News
Tony Cox | The Courier News