WCHS shuts out Lebanon

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Katie Simpson forces her way around a Lebanon player during Tuesday night’s District 7-AAA matchup at WCHS. Simpson scored a pair of goals, and the Lady Pioneers won their third in a row, taking a 3-0 victory. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

The Warren County Lady Pioneer soccer team improved its record to 5-2-1 Tuesday night with an impressive 3-0 home win over Lebanon.

Although the Lady Pioneers wouldn’t score until there were just 15 seconds left in the first half, Warren County controlled the game from the very start.

The Lady Pioneers had several early opportunities in the first half. Kirby Broom fired a shot with 36:23 left on the clock which deflected off the crossbar. The Lady Pioneers took 29 shots at goal in the first half and completely controlled the ball on both sides of the field.

With 15 seconds left in the half, Katie Simpson fired a shot past the diving Lady Blue Devil goalie to give Warren County the 1-0 halftime lead.

“We did a good job of controlling the ball in the first half,” coach Alan Brownyad said. “We had several missed shots that should have gone in but we didn’t follow up on those opportunities.

“We have to go back out there and keep playing aggressive, like we did in the first half, and the ball will find the net.”

Warren County came out in the second half and continued to dominate the Lady Blue Devils. The Lady Pioneers again fired shot after shot at the Lebanon goalie, but missed by inches. With 12:15 left in the game, Hillary Templeton scored the Pioneers’ second goal as she broke away from the Lebanon defender.

Simpson scored her second goal of the game with 8:12 left as she maneuvered her way through the Lebanon defense to give Warren County the 3-0 win.

The Lady Pioneer defense played solid and turned away any drive Lebanon attempted. Lady Pioneer goalie Lacey Griffith had an easy night as Lebanon had only three shots at goal. The Lady Pioneers had 45 shots in the game.

“The girls had good movement tonight, they kept their offense spread and passed the ball very well,” Brownyard said. “The last three games we have kept the momentum on offense and that helps keep so much pressure off the defense. We have had only one goal given up in the last three games, so our defense is getting the job done and letting the offense take control of the game.

“I’m very happy with the way the girls are playing right now. We travel to Chattanooga this weekend and play Soddy Daisy, who is ranked as the No. 10 team in the state. The way we are playing right now I feel pretty good about chances against them.”