MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Cleveland's run through the Class AAA soccer state playoffs was eventually going to come to a conclusion.
That ending came Tuesday.
The Blue Raiders lost 3-0 to fourth-ranked Science Hill in the quarterfinals at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex, ending their season with a school-record 21 victories (with one loss and two ties). Included in that was the program's first region championship since 2010 and first state berth since 2009.
Science Hill (23-1), which moves onto face Station Camp in this evening's semifinals, received a pair of goals from Elliot Fry and a third from Sam Massey.
"I think the guys wanted this one bad," Cleveland coach John Brose said. "But at the end of the day, they know we accomplished a lot and they're happy with what transpired. Science Hill is a good team, and hats off to them for playing well tonight."
Cleveland started off slowly and never fully recovered. Fry's first goal sliced through the net six minutes in, over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Braxton Wiggins. The Blue Raiders started to gain some attack, earning five first-half corner kicks, but were unable to convert any into scores.
Science Hill wasted no time scoring in the second half, with Massey's goal coming in the 45 minute. Fry scored again about 20 minutes later to seal the victory.
Cleveland loses 12 seniors a season after losing 16.
"We played as hard as we could," Brose said. "It's been such a remarkable year and been so much fun to see this group grow and accomplish what we accomplished. All I can ask is that they play as hard as they can, and I think they did that tonight. We came up on the wrong side of the scoreboard, but the guys fought to the final whistle.
"God has been good. I'm so happy he's placed me in this position, able to coach these guys. It's been a true pleasure to work with them."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.