KNOXVILLE—It was not what Jeff Trombly was looking for.
The Oak Ridge girls soccer head coach spoke plainly about his team’s performance after an 0-4 loss to Bearden Thursday night, saying that he would grade it as an F.
“There was no effort,” Trombly said. “There was no connecting the passes. There was no spirit involved in the team at all. Worst game we’ve played all year.”
The Lady Wildcats traveled to Knoxville hoping to gain a late-season victory over the defending Lady Bulldogs.
Instead, Oak Ridge (10-6-1, 3-1 District 3-AAA) fell behind early in the contest, and struggled to gain any momentum.
With 29 minutes remaining in the first period, Ashtyn Glover’s shot just snuck past Oak Ridge goalkeeper Laura Snyder to put the Lady Bulldogs ahead 1-0.
The goal sparked early energy for Bearden (12-3-3, 5-0-2 District 4-AAA), and the Lady Bulldogs’ offense wasn’t about to let up before the half.
Grace Roddy put the ball into the net for Bearden with 14 minutes to go, and moments later, another Lady Bulldog score notched a 3-0 Bearden advantage going into the half.
“The goals were just a lack of effort on the part of the defenses,” Trombly said. “Just lack of commitment, basic fundamentals of soccer.”
The second period fared no better for the Lady Wildcats.
Oak Ridge was unable to find any offensive success in the second half. Bearden’s offense, however, struck again with 13 minutes remaining in the game, as Clarity Voy scored her first goal of the game.
It would be the final goal of the contest, as the clock struck zero with the Lady Bulldogs ahead 4-0.
Trombly showed concern with how the loss would affect his team’s preparation for the rest of the season.
“I don’t know,” Trombly said. “It may do a lot of damage. May do a lot of damage.”
It was the last game of the regular season for the Lady Wildcats.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, Oak Ridge had a 3-3 tie with Hardin Valley (12-2-4, 5-1-1 District 4-AAA).
Freshman Katie O’Brien assisted on two goals in that game, and seniors Lindsey Riikola and Olivia Hoyt anchored the defense, Trombly said. Senior Leah Scudder had a hat trick.
Trombly had said the pre-tournament games against Hardin Valley and Bearden would be tough games.
Tyler Wombles is a freelance contributor to Oak Ridge Today.
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