Lady Wildcats secure big road win over Maryville
The Oak Ridge High School girls soccer team captured a significant road victory Thursday night, defeating Maryville 5-2 at John Sevier Elementary School. The win snapped a long winless streak against the Lady Rebels and helped the Lady Wildcats bounce back from a tough road loss to Farragut earlier in the week.
“That was a huge win for us, and we really needed it,” said first-year Oak Ridge head coach Trenna Underwood. “I think that was the first time in a long time that Oak Ridge [has beaten Maryville]. It was a tough win for us. Maryville is always a good team, and they’re tough to beat.”
Lilah Kim provided a big offensive boost for the Lady Wildcats, scoring a hat trick. Hayven Laurendine also added two goals for Oak Ridge. The Lady Wildcats improved to 2-2 on the season, bringing them back to the .500 mark.
Earlier in the week, Oak Ridge suffered a 5-2 road loss to Farragut in West Knox County. Underwood acknowledged the challenge her team faced against Farragut, which is coached by Jessie Stephens Burkhart, one of the area’s most respected tacticians.
“I’m friends with Jessie, and she’s a great coach. I’ve always looked up to her,” Underwood said. “I knew she would have them ready to play. They have so much speed, and they were all over us.”
Laurendine scored both of Oak Ridge’s goals against the Lady Admirals.