Columbia foils Eaglettes' clinch chance

Senior striker Kayla Anderson had two goals for Shelbyville. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

COLUMBIA -- Maybe news just travels slowly up in Maury County.

Somehow or other they missed the revelation that the Shelbyville Central Golden Eaglettes were heavy favorites to clinch their second consecutive District 8-AAA title against the Columbia Lady Lions, winners of just one district game, while the visitors were in control of their own destiny and playing for home field advantage in the upcoming tournament.

The game turned into a good old-fashioned behind-the-barn-whipping, only the Eaglettes were the recipients as they were outhustled, outmuscled and outscored 4-2 on a muddy and sloppy turf that served as a neutralizer to any speed advantage.

"We simply came into this game unprepared," Shelbyville coach Neal Gordon said. "We got beat in every facet of the game by a team that wanted it more than we did."

Kayla Anderson put Shelbyville (8-5-1, 3-1-1 8-AAA) ahead 1-0 at the 24:16 mark of the first half on an assist from sophomore Lauren Warren. It was the last time they enjoyed an advantage.

Lady Lion Amanda Cobb tied the score and Kayla Cauthen put the home team ahead 2-1 on a header off of a corner kick just eight minutes later.

Cobb struck again just before intermission to make the score 3-1.

Shelbyville freshman Heather Groves (14) prepares to cross the ball to an open teammate against the Lady Lions. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Shelbyville, who managed just three shots in the first half, scored just 50 seconds into the second half to cut the lead to 3-2 when Warren again fed Anderson for her second goal, but the Blue and Gold simply weren't up to the task the rest of the way.

Their normally outstanding defense was out of position on numerous occasions and passes that have been pinpoint all season ended up as advantageous to the opponent a disproportionate number of times.

"It was far and away the poorest defensive game that we have played," Gordon said. "It just doesn't seem possible that we could show up for a game this big and not be ready to play. I can promise you this, though. It will not happen again."

Shelbyville managed five shots on goal as opposed to 10 by Columbia.

The Eaglettes now must await the outcome of the Tullahoma/Lincoln County match on Thursday night to find out where they will be seeded in the upcoming district tournament.