Red Bank senior Darieun Ross put on a show to help the Lions get one step closer to a return trip to the TSSAA Class AA soccer state tournament.
Ross' left leg provided the crucial edge in Tuesday's 3-1 road victory over East Hamilton in the Region 4-AA semifinals.
After a scoreless first half the Red Bank set-piece specialist provided a huge spark with three assists in a seven-minute span. Ross connected on two corner kicks from each sideline to junior center back Elijah Tillett for goals - the first going in the net off Tillett's left knee cap in the 44th minute to make it 1-0 and the second six minutes later getting home on a header.
In between Ross used his wheels to beat an East Hamilton defender on a run down the left side of the box before crossing a perfect ball to Ramiro Vazquez in close for a goal in the 47th minute.
"We are definitely a stronger and more dangerous team this season, 1,000 percent," said Ross, who flashed brilliant footwork in the victory that sets up a region championship at Soddy-Daisy Wednesday at 7 p.m. "We are a lot stronger, taller and faster. We had a lot of confidence and just came out and played a really strong second half."
The Lions (14-5-2), who have 13 seniors that played big roles in the team's run to the state quarterfinals last season, have outscored their competition 79-14. Coach Chris Tillett's team has been dangerous on set pieces, featuring Josiah and Elijah Tillett, each standing over 6-foot-3.
Senior Jake Wright also continued his strong play in goal for the Lions, including saving goals on two shots in one sequence as he denied a strong left-footed shot from Brayden Hunter and then stopped a rebound shot from Hussein Baniahmad in the first half. The Red Bank keeper also denied a dangerous free kick from Ethan Hixson as he skied in between two attackers to punch the ball away.
"The mentality of our guys is different this year," coach Tillett said. "They have been in this spot before and they expect to go back to state. There is a different composure to the moment this time around. We have scrappy guys who play with some fire and are a little spicy in their play. You have to have that edge if you are going to win tight games. I am proud of our guys."
East Hamilton (12-6-1) received a lone goal from Hunter in the 51st minute as the Hurricanes' strong season came to a close.
TSSAA region soccer
> Soddy-Daisy 8, Sequoyah 0: The Trojans scored four goals in 10 minutes early to take complete control and set up a postseason rematch with Red Bank, who they beat 1-0 in the district championship game.
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