Farlett, Vannoy lead CCS back to state

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

ENGLEWOOD, Tenn. - Sara Farlett had mixed emotions Saturday afternoon. She had told her parents that she wasn't looking forward to the 2013 soccer season and didn't think her Chattanooga Christian team would return to the state tournament because of all the quality seniors they had lost from last year.

But Saturday she was one of the biggest reasons they are going back.

Farlett had two goals and two assists as the Lady Chargers advanced to the first-ever girls' state tournament in Murfreesboro with a 5-1 victory over McMinn Central in a Class A/AA sectional.

Allie Vannoy had a goal and two assists for CCS (10-8-4).

"This was huge," Farlett said. "We're young, but once we start rolling we're a good team. We communicated well today, and I'm glad we have an opportunity to play in the state tournament."

About 15 minutes after Hannah Henry had a goal waved off, Vannoy headed in a Farlett corner kick to give the Lady Chargers the lead in the 23rd minute. Henry scored shortly before halftime

Vannoy then assisted on goals by Farlett and Shelby Balch, and Farlett's second goal came off a miskick on a Taylor Young punt.

"The girls have come a long way," CCS coach Cal Sneller said. "Today wasn't our best outcome, but we're using so many different bodies and the girls aren't playing like a young team."

Jessi Young scored the lone goal for McMinn Central (12-8-3) -- her 38th of the season.

"We didn't play poorly. CCS is definitely a good team," Chargerettes coach Bill McConkey said. "We didn't play our best, but a lot of that is because of them. The experience at the sectional level will help us, but we kind of fell apart today."

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6311. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.

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