Warren County’s soccer team falls short 2-1
Warren County’s soccer team held their own against one of the state’s top programs, but fell short in their season opener Tuesday night, losing on the road to Chattanooga Christian, 2-1.
“I wasn’t displeased at all,” said coach Charlie Hardee, whose team hosts Clarksville tonight. “(Goalkeeper) Jonathan Bratcher played well, and everybody hustled and played hard.
“We made a lot of mistakes defensively, that was the biggest thing that hurt us. But they were mistakes we can improve on. The hustle, the effort and the heart were all there like we need them to be.”
Chattanooga Christian, which entered the game the No. 4 team in the state, downed the Pioneers 3-0 in last year’s season opener. But through 40 minutes of play Tuesday, the Pioneers and their hosts hadn’t settled a thing.
Ben Gretzinger scored on an assist from Tatsuro Kusunoki to send the two teams into halftime tied at 1-1, but the Crusaders scored the eventual game-winner on a penalty kick in the second half after the Pioneers were called for a handball in the box.
“Their first goal was because of a communication mistake we made on defense,” Hardee said. “And then their second was on the PK. But Ben had a great goal on a super assist from Kusunoki, and I was really proud of the effort they showed.
“It was a physical game, and we had a hurt-knot or two on us before it was over, but they did too. Our boys didn’t back down.”
The Pioneers face another tough test tonight, when they take on last year’s state runner-up, the Clarksville Wildcats. Clarksville, ranked third in Class AAA, downed Smyrna 4-2 on Monday. Last year, they handed the Pioneers a 4-0 road loss.
“It’s going to be a great test,” Hardee said of tonight’s game. “They’re among the top teams in the state.
“I was at the finals last year, and honestly, I thought they should’ve won that game. So we’re going to have to be ready to come out and play hard.”
Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.