Anderson County, Clinton open soccer seasons with wins
Clinton has started the soccer season 3-0 after a thrilling, comeback win over Greenback for its third win..
The Lady Dragons were down 1-0 at halftime, but came back and won 2-1. Elly Leander tied the game up 1-1 with a driven shot from outside the penalty box.
With 12 minutes left in the game, senior Malia Kim stole the ball from a defender and raced 50 yards before finishing it off for the lead.
Abby Hutchens had eight saves in goal, including several crucial ones in the final moments.
It was the team’s third game in four days, so it was an especially gutsy performance.
The team has outscored its first three opponents 20-1.
Clinton won its first game 11-0 over Fulton.
Freshman Elly Leander took the opening kickoff and scored the fastest goal in school history (17 seconds into the game). She took a pass from Malia Kim and dribbled through the Falcon defense and scored from just inside the penalty box.
Kim was dominant, scoring three goals and adding several assists — all in the first half. Leander and Terrigan Giles also scored three goals each.
Grace Allen and Gracee DeJarnette each scored a goal.
Hutchens played excellent in goal, recording the shutout.
Reagan Marsee and Jade Ortiz led a solid defensive effort from center back, consistently keeping Fulton from getting into the final third.
Clinton won its second game 7-0 over Gatlinburg Pittman.
Kim recorded her second-consecutive hat trick (three goals). Grace Allen added two goals, and seniors Autumn Hill and Terrigan Giles scored one each.
Kim’s second goal was an impressive header off an Elly Leander cornerkick, as Kim powered it past the Highlander goalkeeper. It marked the second consecutive game the Dragons have headed home a corner kick.
Hutchens had her second clean sheet in goal, shutting out a determined Gatlinburg front line.
Anderson County won its first game 1-0 over Halls.
Freshman Emma Leander scored the goal. She took a pass at midfield from Renee Wilson and raced 40 yards before beating the keeper near post.
Goalkeeper Allyssa Wetherington put in a sublime performance, making several huge saves.
In the final moments, Halls ripped a shot on goal from close range, but a diving Wetherington parried it away.
Freshman Emily Martin came in for Wetherington for a spell late in the first half and made several great saves.
Delaney Wade controlled much of the game in the middle of the field, continually knocking Red Devils off the ball and starting Lady Maverick attacks.
Senior Shelby Freyre was a rock in the back, leading a Maverick defense that kept an aggressive Halls attack at bay.
