MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Arts & Sciences boys' soccer team has come a long way in one season.
A shot from Ben Greenwell in the 99th minute Tuesday made sure the ride isn't over yet.
Columbia Academy's Dawson Carter (2) and Arts & Sciences' Cole Avery (2) and Will Fraser (9) go for the ball during their Division I Class A quarterfinal match during Spring Fling XXV at Richard Siegel Soccer Park on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.The CSAS senior struck a shot that bounced over Columbia Academy goalkeeper Hardin Johnson's head, struck off the crossbar and into the back of the net, and the Patriots advanced to the Class A state semifinals with a 2-1 overtime win at the Richard Siegel complex.
The Patriots (13-6-2) will face Gatlinburg-Pittman (12-9) today at 3 p.m. EDT. Signal Mountain, which is in the same district as CSAS, is in the other semifinal against Franklin Grace.
CSAS coach David Poss said he was confident in his team's ability should the match go into a shootout but was much happier to "get it done now."
"It's a great experience for these guys," Poss said. "It's hugely exciting."
CSAS went 3-14 last season with a youthful group of players, seven of whom are juniors now in their third season of starting. It helped them not get rattled when William Garrison scored for Columbia Academy in the ninth minute. The Patriots assumed control, tying the match on a goal by Avery Hardekopf in the 37th minute, moments after a Greenwell corner.
They ultimately outshot Columbia Academy 9-3, with no shot more important than the last one.
"Cole (Avery) had a back-heel pass to me, and I took a shot," Greenwell said. "I thought it was going over, but then it hit the crossbar and bounced in the net. My teammates were crowding me afterwards; it was a good moment.
"Today feels really good after how last season went. It's a really good feeling knowing I'm going out with a bang."
CSAS improved to 2-3 in state tournaments, having earned a win in 2006 - its last appearance in the tournament.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.