Cascade holds on to down rival Community

Cascade's Kenzie Tucker (14) and Community's Sabrina Hargrove (3) tangle for possession. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

While the soccer pitch is still an infant site for the competition between the Bedford County rivals, Cascade and Community engaged in a District 11-A/AA match that was tightly-contested until midway through the second half.

The Lady Champions (2-2, 2-1 11-A/AA) took the inaugural contest 4-3 last October and the two were locked into another one-goal differential late in Monday night's match following an unassisted goal by Viqueen Kristen Simmons just 3:42 into the second half that made it 3-2.

However, Cascade allowed itself some breathing room with goals by Ashley Bledsoe (57th minute) and Jessica Popp (63rd minute) and held on to win 5-3.

"They definitely have a lot more talent on the field now, a lot more talent," Cascade coach Monica Lewis said, comparing last year's Community team to this year's. "It was a much more challenging game. It was even more challenging than when we played them at the play day."

It looked like Monday's affair might get out of hand early with Emily Lewis taking full advantage of a one-on-one opportunity with Viqueen goalkeeper Megan Sager less than 10 minutes in. Bledsoe took an assist from Laura Jett to double the upper hand less than three minutes later.

"Very beneficial," Monica Lewis said of the early 2-0 lead, "because the whole atmosphere on the field changed. Once we had a couple goals in the net, we seemed to step it up because we were dragging for the first few minutes."

Kali Sitz played the "not so fast" card by getting Community (1-1, 1-1) on the board in the 16th minute.

Jett answered by tickling the nets with an assist from Katie Moulder with just 4:20 to go in the opening half to make it 3-1.

Viqueen Janzen Powell (25) boots a ball away from Lady Champion Jessica Popp. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Kayla Nowlin was responsible for the final Viqueen goal.

Kayla Carden totaled 11 saves in goal for Cascade. Sager and fellow freshman Megan Smith split time in goal for the hosts.

The Lady Champs seek another 'W' over a rival today when they battle Webb in Bell Buckle at 4:30.

The Purple and Gold kick off at East Hickman on Friday at 5.