CHAPEL HILL, Tenn. – In the third edition of the ‘Battle of Bedford’ this season, No. 1 seed Cascade (12-1-2, 8-0) and No. 2 seed Community (7-5, 5-3) faced off for the District 9-A Title with the Lady Champions overcoming an early deficit to win 4-1 on Thursday.

The Viqueens took the early lead after winning the first set piece of the game. On Community's corner delivery, Kaylee Martin attempted to clear the ball away, but her touch sent the ball into the back of her own net to give the underdogs a surprising 1-0 advantage in the fifth minute.

Despite being stunned by the early shock, the Lady Champions settled into the game. In the 11th minute, Adalyn Nelms’ effort from outside the box went just over the crossbar. As the first half went on, the Viqueens routinely grew comfortable with all 11 players behind the ball in their own half when Cascade held possession, and they were proving tough to break down. 

In the 32nd minute, against the run of play, the Viqueens thought they had won a penalty in the Cascade box, but the referee ultimately determined that there was an inadvertent whistle and awarded Community with a drop ball just outside of the box.

Finally, right on the stroke of halftime, Kaylee Martin scored her eighth goal of the season to draw the favorites level at 1-1. Rylee Harris sent a ball into the box from the right wing, and with the ball bouncing around in the penalty area with a pair of Viqueens defending as well as Adalyn Nelms, it was Martin who pounced, sending her left-footed effort into the back of the net to send the Lady Champions into halftime level.

“That goal turned the momentum back in our favor,” Cascade Head Coach Wendy Williams said, “We had full confidence that our girls would do that. One thing we talked to them about in the team meeting today was to come out and be calm and do what they know how to do.”

Five minutes into the second half, Marissa Gulick nearly gave Cascade the lead, but her venomous attempt careened off the crossbar and out for a goal kick. 

In the 58th minute, Community’s Sara Flannagan looked like she had been set free into a 1-on-1 situation with the goalkeeper, but Sophia Mastrosimone’s perfectly timed last-ditch effort from behind saved a certain goal. 

“We count on them [Kenzie Bledsode and Sophia Mastrosimone] a lot, and we are super proud of them,” said Williams, “They are just so consistent. They have such great ball control, and they are strong enough to get people off the ball. We’re always proud of them, but tonight especially.”

On the hour mark just two minutes later, Kyla Pulley launched a long throw into the Viqueens’ box, and the ensuing flick-on found Nelms, who’s spectacular touch allowed her to turn and fire home her 18th goal of the season from six yards out to go in front for good at 2-1.

“She [Nelms] has come out so strong all season,” Williams said,” I feel like she felt a little bit of pressure when Lexi [Comstock] went out like it was on her to score more, but she has handled it well. She fights for it, she’s feisty up top, she never stops, and she just makes things happen.”

Flannagan nearly equalized less than a minute later, but she was turned away by a great save from Makenzie Fisher in goal. 

In the 72nd minute as Cascade continued to knock at the Viqueens door, the Lady Champions finally busted through for the  first of two insurance goals. Martin pounced on the end of a beautiful ball across from Gulick from the left wing, taking it first time to go up 3-1.

Then, five minutes later, Martin found some space at the top of the box, and she found the bottom-right corner of the Viqueens’ goal to reach the final margin of 4-1.

“She [Martin] won the playmaker award,” Williams said, “I think she makes a huge difference on the field wherever she is. She has such a high soccer IQ, she’s always moving in the right place, and she’s fast. She’s a really dangerous player for us.”

Kaylee Martin won the District 9-A Playmaker of the Year award in the postgame celebration after recording 10 goals and 10 assists in 16 games. Lexi Comstock was awarded the District 9-A MVP for her prolific campaign that featured 30 goals and six assists in 13 games for the standout junior. For Community, Sara Flannagan, Taylor Duff, and Emma Neill were named to the District 9-A All-Season team while Kenzie Bledsode, Claire Smithson, Sophia Mastrosimone, and Alayna Ormiston were the representatives from Cascade.

The Viqueens will travel to District 10-A Champions Culleoka for the Region 5-A semifinals on Tuesday night with kick-off set for 6:00 p.m.

Cascade is set to host the D10-A Runners-Up, Richland, on Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m.