Moral victory: Lady Pioneers tie CHS in district action

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Warren County High School’s soccer team came up short in their quest for a victory, but still came away with a confidence boost. At right, Alex Smartt takes possession away from a Cookeville player. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

With much improvement over their last three games, the Warren County Lady Pioneer soccer team entered Thursday night’s game against Cookeville with hopes of stopping the district’s third-place team.

The Lady Pioneers battled Cookeville for 80 minutes with nothing being settled and the game ending in a 1-1 tie, but Warren County left the field considering the contest both a mental victory and a step forward.

The first half opened up with Warren County playing very aggressively and turning offensive mistakes by Cookeville into positive, productive play by the Lady Pioneer midfielders.

The Lady Pioneers had the first opportunity to score when Cookeville was called for a foul outside the box. Vanessa Cornelius lined the indirect kick up for Warren County, but the shot sailed just over the crossbar at the 24-minute mark.

Four minutes later the Lady Cavaliers took advantage of a defensive breakdown by Warren County as Cookeville found an open shot on the left wing and scored to take a 1-0 lead.

The game became very physical as both teams clashed at midfield. Warren County still had momentum on its side and with 18:31 left in the first half, Cornelius tied the game at 1-1 off an indirect kick after Cookeville was called for blocking. The Lady Pioneers did an excellent job of spreading the field, which kept the Lady Cavaliers frustrated as the half came to an end.

The second half was even more physical than the first, but Warren County still maintained control of the game. Warren County had two opportunities to score midway in the second half as Alex Smartt, Kirby Broom and Sarah Tanner tried to give the Lady Pioneers the lead.

With six minutes left in the game Cookeville had a golden opportunity to score, when a Lady Cavalier fired a shot that bounced off the hands of Lady Pioneer goalie Erin Wolford, but Wolford dove on the ball and covered it for the save. As time started to tick off the clock Cookeville tried in desperation to score, but Warren County meet each challenge giving 100 percent to settle for the tie.

Warren County took eight shots at goal on the night and held Cookeville to six shots with Wolford picking up five saves.

“This was a great game for us because we played as a team,” said coach Keith Hamilton. ” The girls are finally starting to gel as a team and even though the game ended in a tie it was a great mental victory for us. We have struggled in the past and have been selfish at times but tonight these girls matured and gave a 100 percent effort and didn’t leave anything left on the field.

“I am very excited for this team right now, and just really don’t know what to say. For this team to come together and play the way they did tonight has made our season a success know matter what happens the rest of the year.”

The Lady Pioneers will take on White County Tuesday at home with the varsity game schedule for a 6:30 p.m. start.