ENGLEWOOD, Tenn. – In every game recently, it seemed that McMinn Central soccer player Mia Damico had a wide-open opportunity at a header on a corner kick but shot it over the goal post.
Thursday afternoon, she decided to use her feet.
Damico’s goal 17 minutes into the game lit a fire under the Chargerettes, and two Nikita Raper goals in the second half gave them a 3-0 victory over Boyd-Buchanan for their first-ever region championship.
McMinn Central (10-5-2) will host 11th-ranked Livingston Academy in a Class A/AA sectional Saturday, while Boyd-Buchanan(12-5-2) will travel to Notre Dame, a 1-0 winner over Livingston on Thursday.
Chargerettes coach Bill McConkey has stressed the need to get an early lead on their opponent, which they did for the fourth consecutive game in the postseason on Damico’s goal.
“We really want to put the pressure on the other team by creating a big push in the first 10 minutes,” he said. “After that, we just try to possess the ball, but we want to keep shooting.”
The Chargerettes’ defense, which has allowed ony 14 goals this season, then took over. The backfield led by Elizabeth Wells, Sam Hollingsworth and Moriah Giles limited Boyd-Buchanan to two shots on goal.
“Our defense has been there; they’ve been consistent all year,” McConkey said.
The Lady Bucs, somewhat spent after an emotional upset win over eighth-ranked East Hamilton on Wednesday, couldn’t muster the offense to compete Thursday.
Like McMinn Central, Boyd-Buchanan will be making its first sectional appearance.
“Everything about last night was draining,” Boyd-Buchanan coach Dustin Walker said. “Less than 18 hours after a big win like that, I knew it was going to be tough, yet I know these girls left everything they had on the field.
“They’re physically and emotionally drained, but I couldn’t be prouder of the girls. They’ve worked hard to exceed expectations and continued to overachieve all season.”
* Notre Dame 1, Livingston Academy 0: Gaby Gurrola’s goal 11 minutes into the second half proved to be the difference for the Lady Irish in the Region 4-A/AA final.
Notre Dame (8-7-3) dominated possession in claiming its second consecutive Region 4 title and fifth straight region title overall.
At McMinn Central
Region 3-A/AA Championship
MCMINN CENTRAL 3, BOYD-BUCHANAN 0
Halftime score: 1-0. Goals: Nakita Raper 2, Mia Damico. Assists: Ashley Johnson, Taylor Young. Shots: McMinn Central, 17-2. Saves: Anna Beasley 11 (BB); Alisa Guradiola 2 (MC). Records: McMinn Central 10-5-2; Boyd-Buchanan 12-5-2.