Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves captain Carlie Banks celebrates with goalkeeper Dani Krzyzaniak, in green, after Banks' tying goal in last Sunday's WPSL Southeast Conference final at David Stanton Field. The Lady Red Wolves will play in a region semifinal Saturday in Matthews, North Carolina.The hunt for the Women's Premier Soccer League national championship has been reduced to 16 teams, and the Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves are still standing after a resilient comeback.
After scoring only one time in two games against Nashville Rhythm FC in the regular season, the Lady Red Wolves netted three goals from the 70th minute on for a thrilling 3-2 victory in last Sunday's Southeast Conference championship match.
Now at 11-1-2, they have a South Region semifinal matchup against the undefeated Charlotte Eagles (8-0-2) at 11 a.m Saturday in Matthews, North Carolina. The winner will take on either Pensacola FC (8-0) or FC Surge (5-0-2) in Sunday's region final. Pensacola has scored 53 goals this season, while FC Surge has allowed only one.
Chattanooga has outscored its competition 28-9.
"This group has a very strong togetherness," Lady Red Wolves coach Billy Sparks said. "They all play for each other. They all bring their personal individual qualities, but the most important thing is they are a very solid team and one that goes all out until the final whistle."
For Chattanooga center back Jess Shepherd, the conference title was "magical" but not the first time her team came back from a two-score deficit.
In their debut season as a club, the Lady Red Wolves have more wins than any WPSL team.
The Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves have the most wins in the Women's Premier Soccer League this season with 11. They stand two wins away from nationals with a region semifinal Saturday in Matthews, North Carolina."We are fighting for each other and believe we can accomplish big things," said Shepherd, who plays collegiately for Southern Miss. "We want to be the hardest working team out there. We all trust each other and want this season to keep rolling."
While the team has been without impact player Caitlyn Hayes, who returned home to England, others have stepped up in critical moments.
Hollie Massey's anticipation to knock in a shot deflected off the crossbar by Hannah Tillett began the championship comeback that was finished off by Brittney Reed.
Thalya Dwyer's battle for 50-50 balls and ability to control possession also have provided a difference, and recent Baylor School graduate Avery Davis has posed a threat on the offensive end.
"We want to continue where we left off," Sparks said. "Play with no fear, (with) freedom and confidence. We have the technical ability to cause problems. Our desire is going to drive us."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.
The Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves pose after coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win the Women's Premier Soccer League Southeast Conference final last Sunday at David Stanton Field. Chattanooga stands two wins away from nationals.