Clinton girls soccer triumphs despite player shortages
Clinton’s Topanga Easterday maneuvers around a de- fender on her way to the goal during the Lady Dragons’ Sunday morning Smoky Mountain Cup match. The Lady Dragons won 3-0 against the Lady Redhounds despite having only nine players on the field. (photo:Tony Cox )
The Lady Dragons competed in the Smoky Mountain Cup at the Rocky Top Sports Complex in Gatlinburg, finishing 1-1-1 despite missing several key players.
Clinton wrapped up the tournament with a 3-0 victory over Corbin (Ky.), even though they ended the match with just nine players, instead of the normal 11.
“We were short-handed,” CHS Coach Suzanne Stout said. “We had 11 girls make the trip, and I got the teams to agree to play 10-on-10. Then I had another player who couldn’t continue, so we finished with nine.”
That wasn’t a problem for the Lady Dragons, who got two goals from Elly Leander and another from Topanga Easterday.
“That was a good win for us, and I’m happy, especially considering everything we went through,” Stout said. “That was the first time we’ve ever played in one of those tournaments. Despite the injuries, I’m pleased because the girls are really playing hard, and my new players are getting experience with my starters out.”
The Lady Dragons suffered their first loss of the 2024 season with a 6-0 defeat against Walton-Verona on Saturday.
Clinton opened the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Cumberland County on Friday night. Leander and Riley Sharp scored for the Lady Dragons in a match Stout felt her team should have won.
On Monday, Aug. 19, Clinton secured a 7-3 win over Campbell County.
Leander scored four goals and added two assists against the Lady Cougars, who are coached by former Clinton Coach Erik Hill.
Sadie Haney contributed two goals and an assist, while Addison Haney had two assists for the Lady Dragons.
