Red-hot Blaze tops Pioneers

MURFREESBORO ‘ When Warren County met Blackman on the soccer pitch last month, the two squads battled to a scoreless tie.

But scoring goals certainly didn’t seem to be a problem for the top-seeded Blaze in Tuesday’s tournament matchup with the Pioneers.

Justin Cronin scored three goals and had an assist on another, as Blackman won its way into the District 7-AAA tournament championship game by downing the Pioneers 7-1.

With the loss, the Pioneers’ season ended at 8-7-3, while Blackman improved to 11-1-7. The Blaze were scheduled to take on third-seeded Riverdale for the title last night. Both teams will move on to the Region 4 tournament.

Blackman found its offensive success when it counted, scoring three goals in the opening 22 minutes. Cronin scored the Blaze’s first goal in the 12th minute, taking a pass from Chris White in the box and striking it past Warren County keeper Rob Hamby.

White went on to score two goals of his own and add another assist in the 61st minute, when Soren Nagel scored on a backwards kick in front of the net.

Tony Garibaldi, the district’s offensive player of the year, scored Warren County’s lone goal in the 69th minute. The Pioneers played without sweeper Travis Young, who received a red card in Monday’s game versus Lebanon.

Cronin scored again in the second half, and Matt Reed, the district midfielder of the year, and Ryan Zeeck had goals for Blackman, as well.

Riverdale defeated Cookeville 3-1 to reach the championship game.