Notre Dame Claims Region 4A/AA Soccer Title

Junior Sofia Olenchek scored twice, including the winning goal in the second overtime (95th minute) period as host Notre Dame defeated crosstown rival Chattanooga Christian 2-1, for the Region 4 A-AA championship Thursday night.

In a well-played, physical match, CCS led at halftime, 1-0,  after senior Hannah Henry scored in the 14th minute, but Olenchek's first goal came six minutes into the second half to even the score. Neither team scored in the first 10 minute overtime period.

Both teams advance to sectional matches Saturday.

Saturday's Sectional:  Region 3 champion - Grace Academy; Region 4 champion -  Notre Dame

Boyd Buchanan at Notre Dame

CCS at Grace Academy

The two winners advance to next week's state tournament in Murfreesboro ... (both matches Saturday will most likely be played late afternoon ... set time will be announced Friday.)

"I liked our effort tonight and even when we were down 1-0 I knew that if we kept battling a goal would come and it did," said Notre Dame coach Jim Shermerhorn now in his 13th season as head coach.

"It was a very tight match and just a battle for 100 minutes."

Similar to the district final last week, CCS took a 1-0 lead only to have the Irish tie the match in regulation and win this week in overtime while the green and white won on penalty kicks last week.

"We had opportunities to score (more than one goal), but did not finish," said CCS coach Cal Sneller.

"I hurt for these kids as they have worked extremely hard and deserve to travel to the state tournament next week in Murfreesboro."

Three Straight: Notre Dame has won all thee matches with CCS this season, hold a 7-0-2 record against the Chargers the last three seasons and have not lost to CCS since the Chargers beat the Irish in the Region 4 finals in 2011.

Hot Hand (or foot): ND's Sofia Olenchek has scored five goals in the last two matches.

Goalkeepers - Saves: ND - Taylor Green (2)  CCS-   Avery Boulware (4)

Shots: ND, 19-12

Fouls: ND, 11-5

Hand Balls: 1-1

Corners: CCS, 6-2

Offsides: CCS, 1-0

Yellow Cards: ND -  Liz Ciabattone, Ashley McMeen

Red Cards: None

Notre Dame 2, Chattanooga Christian 1

CCS 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 1

ND - 0 - 1 - 0 - 1 -- 2

Records ND (9-5-4)  CCS (10-6-4)

CCS - Hannah Henry (Sara Farlett), 14th minute, 1-0

ND - Sofia Olenchek, 46th minute, 1-1

ND - Sofia Olenchek 95th minute 2-1

 

contact: B.B. Branton at william.branton@Comcast.net