Lady Mavs, Lady Dragons set for rivalry clash

Leander twins face off in final regular season crosstown soccer showdown

September 18, 2024 by Ken Lay

The Anderson County Lady Mavericks and Clinton Lady Dragons will renew their rivalry on the soccer field this week.

The Lady Mavericks, entering the week with a 6-6 record, will face Clinton (7-1-1) Thursday, with Clinton as the home team. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Both teams always have this match circled on their calendars, as the winner will earn county bragging rights for the next year.

But this year, the stakes are higher. Both teams started the week tied for first place in District 4-AA, with two wins each in league play.

The Lady Mavericks were scheduled to play Gibbs on Tuesday in a district game, but results were not available at press time. The Lady Eagles entered that match with a 1-8 record.

Clinton had a tough non-district match against South-Doyle on Tuesday, but results were not available at press time.

Both Anderson County Coach Chris Curtin and Clinton Coach Suzanne Stout said they are looking forward to Thursday’s game.

“It should be fun,” Curtin said. “It’s exciting to see both teams on this side of the county having a good year. It’s good for soccer, and I love watching good teams play.”

Stout agreed. “It’ll be exciting, and I hope it will have district- championship implications,” she said.

Curtin has set high expectations for his team this season.

“Our goal coming in was to make it to state,” he said. “So we scheduled some tough teams this year. I think we’ll have the best team in the district, and I think we’ll have the best team in the region. To get there, that leaves Tennessee High or Greeneville to beat.”

The Lady Dragons finished 2022 strong, winning a district-tournament match, but low turnout left Stout unsure of what to expect.

Both teams have dealt with injuries this season. Stout is hoping to get some players back later in the season.

“It’s been a surprise, and I’m really happy with how we’ve played,” she said. “We have a couple of injured players, and we’ll need them. Hopefully, they’ll come back fast.”

The district regular-season title may be at stake. Time will tell.

The rivalry between the Lady Dragons and Lady Mavericks has always been intense, but for the past four seasons, it’s also been a sibling rivalry. Twin sisters Elly and Emma Leander have been on opposite sides — Elly for Clinton, Emma for Anderson County.

Both are standout players, and while Emma has had the upper hand in their rivalry, this will be their last time playing for different teams, unless they meet again in the district tournament.

They’ll both continue their soccer careers at Carson-Newman University, but on Thursday, all eyes will be on Elly in No. 23 for Clinton, and on Emma, wearing the same number for Anderson County.

“I’ve joked with the referees and told them that if they see the two No. 23s going at it, to let them go because they’re twin sisters,” Curtin said.

Despite the jokes, both coaches respect the Leanders’ talent.

“Emma is a great player, and it’s going to be hard to stop her, but we’re sure going to try,” Stout said. “I like watching Emma play when she’s not playing against us.”

Curtin had similar praise for Elly.

“Elly is fun to watch; she’s one of my favorite players to watch when she’s not playing us,” he said.

Both teams picked up wins last week.

Clinton shut out Scott 4-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 10, with Elly Leander scoring a hat trick. Sadie Haney also scored, and Addison Haney had two assists. On Thursday, Clinton defeated the Knoxville Ambassadors 5-3, with Elly scoring all five goals.

Anderson County posted a 9-0 win over Union County on Thursday.

Emma Leander scored four goals and had an assist, while Delila Colby and Roxana Aguilar each scored twice. Ella Day also scored for the Lady Mavericks.