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published on 07/22/2004
Redoubt U-14 Girls Capture State Title
By Contributed Article
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The Redoubt U-14 girls capped off a tremendous season by winning the 2004 TSSA Division 2 State Cup, defeating the Brentwood Pride in PK’s. The year began with many questions, not only with a new coach, but with new players as well. However, those questions were answered quickly at the beginning of training. ‘The girls stated verbally they wanted to get to the next level and proved it with their work ethic in the practices,’ said Coach Tom Condone. ‘It was then I knew we had a chance to do well and succeed.’ Also, their ability to mesh together as a team so quickly was awesome, considering that this was basically a new team, given the significant number of new players.
To start the season, the Redoubt girls captured the Camp Jordan Indoor League, going a perfect 8-0. ‘Although the league is a way to continue getting touches on the ball and improving, it was still nice to win the division,’ stated Condone. It gave the girls a taste of winning something. They then placed 2nd in the Gold Division of the Cobb Classic, going 1-1-1 during pool play. They advanced to the finals based on points, losing to Columbus (GA) Red Star 3-0 in the final. “To be a finalist in our first tournament is a great way to kick off our season,” stated Condone. “We drew with Red Star 1-1 during pool play, and they are extremely competitive in the Athena Division in Georgia.” “The girls now have an understanding of the type of competition that awaits them and what we have to do on a weekly basis to compete at that level,” stated Condone. Christina Groves led the scoring, with 3 goals in the tourney. Redoubt also had strong play from their GK Colleen Keough and the back three of Katie Finkle, Melissa Baldwin, and Sara Kluttz. ‘Katie, Melissa, and Sara were well-organized and kept a great shape throughout the tournament.’
The next tournament was the ‘Bash in the Boro’, in which Redoubt outscored their opponents 16-2 as they went 3-0 in the Murfreesboro Classic, winning the championship. They first defeated Smryna Lady Rapids 7-0, in which seven different players scored. In game two, they defeated the Excursions 4-1 and then claimed the championship, beating SRFC Spirit 5-1 the next day. Jamie Holstine and Katie Patterson did a great job all tournament controlling the interior midfield, both defensively and in the attack,” observed Condone. “Mary Shelton Bryant, Catherine Fields and Caiden Barcomb were tremendous in moving without the ball and finding space, especially behind the opposing defenses.” “It was truly a team effort that was rewarded with a championship,” added Condone.
After qualifying for the state tournament via the regional playoffs, Redoubt won the Tennessee State Soccer Association Girls Division 2 State Cup in the U-14 Division. They defeated the SMSC Fire 4-1 and HFC Lady Hurricanes 3-0 in pool play. ‘Hannah Jones, Sarah Lyman, and Jessica Ivey did a nice job getting width and serving great balls from the flanks during the prelim rounds’, said Condone. ‘In addition, Sarah Bohr and Katelyn Boyd continually answered the call to play multiple positions during the entire tournament.’ As the number one seed, Redoubt defeated the Knoxville Stars 5-0 in the semifinals and captured the championship by besting the Brentwood Pride 2-1 in penalty kicks. With the two teams deadlocked 0-0 at the end of regulation play and in double overtime, forward and leading scorer Catherine Fields calmly placed a penalty kick in the left corner to put Redoubt up 1-0. With less than 15 seconds, Brentwood scored to put the game in penalty kick mode. Goalkeeper Colleen Keough made an acrobatic save and then stepped up and converted her PK to claim the title. ‘Brentwood was the defending state champ, so we understood the level at which we needed to play,’ stated Condone. ‘We have matured over the past six months and certainly deserve the title of Tennessee State Champions.’ ‘We look forward to next year, as we will climb to Division 1 and continue to become a more competitive unit.’
Signal Mountain Residents on the Redoubt U14 girls team are Mary Shelton Bryant, Catherine Fields, Christina Groves, Hannah Jones, and Sarah Lyman.
Team members include: GK: Colleen Keough; Defenders: Katie Finkle, Melissa Baldwin, and Sarah Kluttz; Midfielders: Katie Patterson, Sarah Bohr, Jamie Holstine, Jessica Ivey, Hannah Jones, and Sarah Lyman; Forwards: Catherine Fields, Christina Groves, Mary Shelton Bryant, Caiden Barcomb, and Katelyn Boyd; Coach Tom Condone.
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