CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The West Creek Coyotes soccer team traveled to Northwest High School for a rivalry district 14-4A matchup with the Vikings on Tuesday night. The first half saw no goals scored, but four goals in the first 22 minutes from the Coyotes lifted West Creek to a big 4-1 win.
Neither team could control possession, with both teams’ defensive backlines and keepers fending them off. After a scoreless first half, the Coyotes locker room must have had some major adjustments, as the game flipped on its head. What was a defense-only contest saw West Creek take a 4-0 lead, including back-to-back goals in the 21st and 22nd minutes of the second half.
“We played a little slow in the first half, but they clearly picked it up in the second,” said Coyotes head coach Craig Nakutis. “Coming out of spring break, we were rusty, but we were able to turn it up a notch. We defensively put the foot down as well, and that was good to see.”
Northwest didn’t go quietly, scoring with a minute left on a penalty kick, but the lead was too big to overcome, as the Vikings fell in the first district contest of the season.
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“We came out to play early; we just couldn’t finish,” said Northwest head coach Hattie McGee. “We beat ourselves in the second half after they got up. As soon as we got scored on, let it go. Thankfully, we get them again later on in the year, and we’re going to get them back.”
As for the Coyotes, they start their two-time district title defense with a win and look to continue their path back to another district title. “It was a physical win and a great win for these boys,” said Nakutis. “We got Kirkwood on Thursday, and we take this season one game at a time.”
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