Having set up his college soccer future earlier Friday, McCallie senior Ryan Rodriguez spent the evening adding another stellar performance to a prep career that is winding down but could have plenty more highlights in store.
That’s certainly the hope for Rodriguez and his teammates.
Just hours after signing with reigning NCAA Division II national champion Lynn University of Boca Raton, Florida, the talented forward continued his season-long assault on the goal by leading the Blue Tornado to a 3-0 home win on senior night against archrival Baylor in a TSSAA Division II-AA East Region showdown.
Rodriguez, his team’s leading scorer this spring, notched his eighth goal of the season on a beautiful combination started at midfield by junior Alejandro Dominguez. It led to a perfect cross by Mikael Wallasvaara through the left side of the box to the driving Rodriguez for his team’s second goal with less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half.
“Ryan has earned everything he has received,” McCallie coach Chris Cushenbery said. “He works so hard at every part of his game, and for him to be in that space and get that goal is fitting on senior night. He is a great player who can help us keep it and play nice soccer like we did.