Wildcats win district championship

 

Note: This story was updated at 12:30 p.m. May 14.

Oak Ridge won the District 3-AAA championship with a 10-2 victory over Halls at home on Friday.

The Wildcats (13-7) advance to play the loser of Saturday’s District 4-AAA championship game between Bearden and Maryville. The District 4 runner-up will come to Oak Ridge to play in a Region 2-AAA semifinal game on Tuesday.

The Red Devils (10-7), the District 3 runner-up, advance to play the winner of the Bearden-Maryville District 4 championship game.

It was the second time Oak Ridge played Halls this year, and the win was more lopsided this time. The Wildcats, who finished the season undefeated in the district with a 7-0 record, won the first game against the Red Devils, a regular season game, 4-1 on April 7.

“I think we’re a different team now,” Oak Ridge Coach Jeff Trombly said.

Halls finished the regular season second in the district with a 6-2 record.

Oak Ridge lost to both Bearden (March 29) and Maryville (May 3) 4-1 in the regular season.

“We know it’s going to be tough,” Trombly said.

The Wildcats have to be healthy and focused, and “big players need to come through,” Trombly said. Also, Oak Ridge has to avoid injuries.

Oak Ridge made it to the sub-state game last year, but lost at Science Hill.

The Wildcats were led by senior forward Jose Rodriguez on Friday. He had four goals—three of them unassisted—and two assists.

Junior midfielder Brent Robinson had two goals, both on assists from Rodriguez.

Junior forward Austin Vinyard had one goal and one assist. The assist was on a Rodriguez goal.

Also adding goals for Oak Ridge were junior midfielder Matthew Malagon and freshman forward Nathan Kidder.

The Red Devils picked up two goals from sophomore Cam Coker, one after Oak Ridge sophomore goalkeeper Austyn Lincoln came in to replace senior goalkeeper Joel Turner.

The Wildcats outshot Halls 24-9, and they had five corner kicks, compared to three for the Red Devils.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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