Notre Dame's Emma Higgins (2) battles Addie Carter (22) of Jackson Christian
photo by Dennis Norwood
Notre Dame's Emma Higgins (2) and Austin Nelson (7) and Blaire Taggart (21) of Jackson Christian
photo by Dennis Norwood
Norre Dame's Megan Adkins prepares for throw in
photo by Dennis Norwood
Good supportive fans for Notre Dame watch the action
photo by Dennis Norwood
Notre Dame's Hannah Dearing (4) battles Alcia Maners (3) of Jackson Christian for control
MURFREESBORO - Notre Dame scored an early goal in each half and then turned to its defense to hold off Jackson Christian in the closing minutes for a 2-1 win in a semifinal match in the TSSAA A-AA Girls State Championship here Thursday at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.
State Finals: A-AA finals are Saturday at 2:30 p.m. EDT ... Notre Dame faces the Chattanooga Christian-Knox. Catholic winner in the finals.
Kelsey Barta put the No.2 ranked Irish up 1-0 in the match's third minute on a pass from Emma Higgins and Higgins in turn scored the second goal in the 42nd minute from Barta.
Jackson Christian, which closed its season at 20-2-2, scored on a header by Amelia Grizzell off a corner kick on the 72nd minute from Julia Ann Lansdale.
Earlier in the second half, the Eagles had an excellent scoring opportunity as a shot hit the cross bar and the follow-up shot sailed high over the bar and Notre Dame held its 2-0 lead.
"I was a bit nervous when they had a couple of big chances in the second half, but you have to trust your defense to clear the ball and also I had to remember that I have trained for years for moments like those," said Notre Dame senior goalkeeper Taylor Green who has committed to play for Lee University next year.
State Finals II: The last time Notre Dame (12-5-4) was in the finals was when the Irish won it in 2010.
"This is a pretty committed group of players who have worked hard all season and I believe they deserve to be in the finals," said Notre Dame coach Jim Schermerhorn whose team has won seven in a row.
"Saturday will be my final 90 minutes of competitive soccer and I am excited that we are in the finals and have a chance to win a state title," said senior Austin Nelson.
Notre Dame 2, Jackson Christian 1
ND 1 - 1 - 2
JC 0 - 1 -- 1
ND - Kelsey Barta from Emma Higgnins, 3rd minute, 1-0
ND - Emma Higgins from Barta, 42nd minute, 2-0
JC- Amelia Grizzell from Julia Ann Landsdale, 72nd minute, 2-1
Records: Notre Dame (12-5-4) Jackson Christian (20-2-2)
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net
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