Kimbro scores two as Wildcats beat Farragut, advance to Region 2 championship

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:50 a.m. May 13.

Oak Ridge senior forward Blade Kimbro scored both goals in a 2-1 overtime win over Farragut in a regional semifinal game at home on Tuesday.

The Wildcats advance to play Hardin Valley Academy in the Region 2-AAA championship at home on Thursday. Win or lose, Oak Ridge will play in a sectional game on Saturday, although the outcome of Thursday’s game will determine who gets home-field advantage.

Kimbro scored both goals on Tuesday with help from junior forward Jose Rodriguez.

On the first goal, Rodriguez passed from the left side of the field to Kimbro, who was in front of the net and kicked the ball in to the right of Farragut goalkeeper Eli Lewis. That goal tied the game 1-1 at about 63:15.

The duo teamed up again to give the Wildcats the victory about seven minutes into the first of two 10-minute overtime periods. On that go-ahead play, Rodriguez shot at Lewis from the left side of the field, and the diving Farragut goalkeeper was unable to control the rebound. The ball appeared to roll over him, and Blade kicked it in to the right side of the net, giving Oak Ridge a 2-1 lead.

“I thought we did everything we had to do to win, played full speed, and made the most of our chances,” Kimbro said.

“We tried our hardest,” Rodriguez said. “We just never let off the pedal.”

Thursday’s game starts at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge High School.

Farragut led in shots on goal for most of the game on Tuesday, at times holding almost a two-to-one advantage. The Admirals scored the first goal at about 53:00 when junior Alex Schupp shot from the left side of the field and put the ball just inside the right goal post.

But Schupp was injured on that play and unable to stand, and he did not return to the game, Farragut Coach Wallie Culbreth said.

He said Oak Ridge played well against Farragut.

“They sunk their chances,” Culbreth said. “We didn’t.”

The Admirals kept the Wildcats pinned in their own end of the field late in the first half and early in the second.

But the Wildcats kept their composure and started keeping the ball more and giving it away less, Oak Ridge Coach Jeff Trombly said.

Rodriguez said the Wildcats also shut down the Admirals’ midfielders, and he and Austin Vinyard dropped back more on defense.

Kimbro said Oak Ridge’s first goal provided a key momentum boost for the Wildcats. And by the end of the second overtime period, Oak Ridge had more shots on goal, finishing with 11, compared to 17 for Farragut.

More information will be added as it becomes available.