SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The Shelbyville Central Golden Eaglettes (11-4-1, 4-1-1) fell to the visiting Franklin County Reblettes (10-5-2, 5-1-0), 2-0, in the District 9-AAA Championship on Thursday.

After the Eaglettes came back to win 2-1 in the regular season matchup, a tightly contested championship game was expected, and it is exactly what the two sides delivered. The two teams remained locked in a scoreless tie for 71 minutes before District 9-AAA MVP Cali Banks pounced on a bouncing ball in the Eaglettes’ box, half-volleying it up and over Yaz McFarland and into the back of the net to break the stalemate.

Franklin County added a penalty in the 79th minute to seal the district title after Gracen Baggett converted from the spot into the left corner to put the game out of reach.

Early on, both teams traded time with possession, until the Rebellettes began to assert control on the ball. Although both teams registered a few shots on goal, none of the attempts threatened either keeper, and both teams went into halftime level at 0-0.

However, in the second half, the Eaglettes came painfully close to scoring not once, but twice within five minutes. First, in the 45th minute, Shelbyville’s free kick from the left flank was spilled by Calli Alonso in the box, but Kyler Doak’s first-time shot attempt was tame and right at Alonso for a relatively simple save. 

The next opportunity came in the 49th minute when a great touch by Doak found some space in the box, but her outside-of-the-boot effort ended up being right at Alonso yet again. 

The Eaglettes continued to stay on the front foot, winning a free kick straightaway from 20 yards out, but Jayda Frazier’s shot attempt flew just over the crossbar. 

After Franklin County found the go-ahead goal, Shelbyville was unable to generate any more opportunities, and the defending 2024 Class AAA State Champions from a year ago were crowned the District 9-AAA Champions in 2025.

Both teams will play next in the region tournament starting on Tuesday.