Lady Champs win first battle of neighbors

Community eighth grader Kali Sitz (6) tries to slip by Cascade defender Aimee Taylor at midfield during the second half. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Bedford County neighbors Cascade and Community have a long history of heated rivalries in a variety of sports over the years with both schools claiming bragging rights at various times.

Soccer can now be officially added to the list after a very physical match ended in a 4-3 District 11-A/AA win for the Lady Champions, who dominated ball possession and shots on goal but couldn't shake the tenacious Viqueens on a wet playing surface in Wartrace on Tuesday night.

Jessica Popp tickled the nets at the 33:56 mark to give Cascade (7-4-1, 5-3-1 11-A/AA) the lead. That goal stood as the only score until Ashley Bledsoe scorched one past Community goalie Megan Sager with just over 13 minutes to play in the first half.

Kristen Simmons answered for the Viqueens (1-9, 1-8) with 8:52 showing to cut the lead to 2-1. Neither team could change the scoreboard before the break.

"Our team is looking better and better every week," Community coach Mark Neill said. "The girls are playing hard and are learning to be more aggressive with each match that they play.

"We made some good passes and there were times in the game that we were able to maintain possession for lengthy periods, especially in the first half."

Freshman Allyse Reese tied the game at 2-all for the Viqueens just two minutes into the second half to set off a frenzied attack by the home team.

Cascade broke the tie at the 35:32 mark on a goal by Laura Jett, who was beneficiary of a perfect lead pass from Emily Lewis to make the score 3-2.

Bledsoe upped the advantage to two goals with less than 14 minutes showing.

Viqueen eighth grader Kali Sitz scored the first varsity goal of her career in the closing minutes.

Cascade took 37 shots on goal and limited Community to just 10, but it was small consolation for their veteran coach.

"If we weren't going into the fall break we would be spending a lot of time shooting the ball," Lady Champion coach Patricia Petty said. "I am on the one hand relieved that we won the match but, on the other hand, I am a little frustrated that it was a nail-biter and that we took so many shots and had such a poor percentage of made shots.

"A win is still a win, though."

Cascade welcomes Lincoln County on Tuesday at 4 for a non-district contest.