For over 125 years, Ameriprise has been committed to putting its clients’ needs first. And its focus is to help clients achieve their financial goals and feel confident, connected and in control of their financial life. CLICK THE LOGO above to meet Keeton & Associates from Ameriprise and let them assess and help your financial future.
BY DAVE LINK
MURFREESBORO – There is nothing like having game experience on the big stage.
Greeneville used that to its advantage Tuesday, rolling to a 5-0 victory over Crockett County in the Class AA state quarterfinals at Siegel Soccer Complex.
The Greene Devils (15-5-3) have made 11 consecutive appearances at state and won three straight championships from 2017-19.
Crockett County (12-6-1) was making its first trip to state soccer.
“We’ve been asked if our experience will play a big role,” Greeneville coach Jerry Graham said, “and we’d like to think it does when you face a team like this when it’s their first time. Sometimes that intangible, that heart, and wanting to be here for the first time, sometimes that’s hard to counter too.”
Greenville will play Valor Prep of Nashville on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Valor defeated Soddy-Daisy 2-1 in its quarterfinal Tuesday.
“We know they possess the ball really well, possess it out of the back,” Graham said. “They’ve got some quality players all over the field, a good supporting cast for their stars, especially one of their center-mids. Their keeper is super confident and capable. We know they’ll be a well-coached team and a formidable opponent, so we’re going to go back and look at as much film of them and do as much homework on them as we can.”
Senior Cade Snelson and sophomore Austin Beets scored two goals each for Greeneville.
Beets scored in the 20th minute for a 1-0 lead on an unassisted goal.
In the 34th minute, Drew Shelton had an assist to Snelson for the goal and a 2-0 lead.
Beets’ penalty kick in the 50th minute made it 3-0.
Snelson got his second goal off a David Fisher assist for 4-0 lead in the 78th minute.
Landon White scored Greeneville’s last goal in the 72nd minute off an assist by Snelson.
“We came out and had good possession of the ball,” Graham said. “We had a few opportunities in the first 10 or 15 minutes we should have capitalized on. We capitalize on that, maybe it changes the flow of the game a little earlier. We’d have liked to have those goals earlier, but that’s why we’re here.”
ROADRUNNERS LOSE, 2-1
Austin-East gave up two early goals and never recovered in a 2-1 loss to Chattanooga Red Bank in another Class AA quarterfinal game.
The Lions’ Josiah Tillett scored in the 9th minute for a 1-0 lead, and Mohamed Mansaray’s goal in the 12th minute made it 2-0.
“You can’t really put yourself in that position this late in the season,” A-E coach Jonathan Netherland said. “Everybody makes it to Murfreesboro for a reason. You need to limit your mistakes because everybody’s looking to capitalize on those. I was proud with the effort after that to not concede another goal. It’s just unfortunate we couldn’t put two or three more in the back of the net.”
Austin-East cut the deficit in half in the 38th minute on a goal by senior Masudi Nyembo.
The Roadrunners had several more shots on Red Bank goalkeeper James Wright and couldn’t convert.
Both teams finished with seven shots.
“We felt good (after Nyembo’s goal),” Netherland said. “I have a tremendously talented group of kids. They’re never out of a game. We’re always looking for the next goal. We’re looking for the next possible touch. We’re always encouraged. We like to believe, and I felt like we did that up till the very last second.”
Austin-East (13-8) won the Class A state championship last year before being moved up to Class AA this year.
The Roadrunners were making their second appearance at the state soccer tournament.
“Our kids fought to the end,” Netherland said. “It’s devastating to lose, but the group was tremendous. They’re really talented. They gave everything they had and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Austin-East arrived at Siegel Soccer Complex about 15 minutes before the game started due to its bus getting stuck in traffic.
“We got here kind of late. I don’t blame that on our performance,” Netherland said. “You make mistakes, and that’s the game of soccer. That’s just how it went today. We were a little unfortunate.”
Red Bank (17-5-2) plays Page in the semifinals Wednesday.
Page (14-5-5) advanced with a 4-0 quarterfinal victory over South Gibson on Tuesday.