Hixson’s Justin Mathieson, right, fights for position wtih East Hamilton’s Jalen Goddard during first-half action Tuesday at Redoubt soccer complex.
Staff Photo by Tim Barber/Chattanooga Times Free PressEast Hamilton coach John Millard said he keeps the bar “high” in expectations for his soccer team.
Yet even he has been surprised by the Hurricanes’ achievements.
They’re 16-2-2 and defeated Notre Dame 1-0 on Saturday to advance to the Class A/AA state tournament, where they will face White House (12-9-3) in the state quarterfinals today at 5:30 p.m. EDT at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro.
“I knew some things were in reach,” Millard said. “We’re young, but we’ve grown during the course of the season; we were forced to grow up a lot.”
Millard mapped out a plan for the team, knowing a possible sectional appearance likely would be against Chattanooga Christian or Notre Dame, two usual state contenders. The Hurricanes drew the Irish after winning the Region 3-A/AA championship, and Jalen Goddard’s goal in the second golden-goal period advanced East Hamilton to the state’s final eight.