Channing Barker helps lead red-hot Sequatchie County to 4-0 soccer shutout of Hixson

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Sequatchie County sophomore Dylan Belk leaps past a defender in a district match at Hixson on Tuesday night.
Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Sequatchie County sophomore Dylan Belk leaps past a defender in a district match at Hixson on Tuesday night.
photo Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Sequatchie County sophomore Jamie Rollins attempts a shot against Hixson goalie Megan Cline in a district match Tuesday night. Cline saved 11 shots in a 4-0 loss at home.

With a goal differential of 52-1 in seven matches this season, the Sequatchie County girls' soccer program is on a mission.

Going against a Hixson program the Lady Indians edged by just one score twice last season - including the District 8-AA championship game - the senior leadership from Channing Barker sparked a signature 4-0 victory on the road Tuesday night.

Barker netted penalty kicks to both sides of the goal to help the Dunlap team pull away in the second half, and she started the scoring with a superb cross from the right sideline to the foot of Dylan Belk in the 15th minute.

"I wish all the goals were that great," Sequatchie County coach Tommy Blevins said of Barker's long cross to the far left post. "That was awesome teamwork. To see goals like that come together are special."

Sophomore Jamie Rollins finished off the scoring as she controlled a pass from Emma Raber in the middle of the box and turned to fire for her team-leading 18th goal of the season in the 66th minute.

photo Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Hixson High School's Riley Rominger battles for the ball with Sequatchie County's Rileigh Belk in a district battle Tuesday night at Hixson. The Lady Indians won 4-0 and remained undefeated this season.

While the attack took longer than usual to get going, the Lady Indians (7-0, 3-0) look to take every match seriously and not be complacent as they strive for major goals.

A group with 10 seniors knows a thing or two about heartbreak as Sequatchie County lost in the region semifinals last year to conclude a 13-2 season. With experience to bank on, the hopes are to reach the biggest stage.

"We are trying to make it to the state tournament," Barker said. "Last year was our first time beating Hixson and winning a district championship. About seven of us have played together since we first started playing soccer when we were little. We have a good chemistry and the ability to accomplish our dreams if we play with energy and together."

Hixson (2-4-2, 2-1) was without several key starters in the match and had to put usual playmaker Megan Cline in front of the net, where she gave an inspiring performance. Cline totaled 11 saves as she booted away several dangerous shots and caught line-drive shots on numerous occasions.

photo Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Sequatchie County sophomore Dylan Belk strides downfield during a district road match against Hixson on Tuesday night. Belk scored the first goal in a 4-nil victory for the Lady Indians.

"Megan stepped up and did everything she could for her team playing her first full game in goal for us ever," Lady Wildcats coach Ashley Beverly said. "She had many outstanding saves, and I wish her teammates would have backed her up a bit more on the field. I think next time we face Sequatchie with everyone healthy it can be a much different outcome."

With tremendous speed up front led by a second-year duo combination of Belk and Rollins, who have combined for 30 goals, the Lady Indians look to keep defenders on their heels the rest of the way.

"We have to stay mentally ready and not let our great season so far go to our head," Blevins said. "We can never underestimate another team. This was a tougher game for us, and we like that. We will learn a lot about ourselves when we travel to Cumberland County next Tuesday, too."

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

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