CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville girls’ soccer took to the pitch Tuesday, Oct. 22 as the Wildcats hosted Munford in the Region 7-AAA semifinals.
After a bit of a slow start, Clarksville dismantled the Cougars with a flurry of shots on goal en route to a 9-0 mercy-rule victory to keep its season alive.
The Wildcats rust wore off 12 minutes in when Ella Roth drilled the ball past the Cougar keeper, making it 1-0 CHS before the floodgates opened. Clarksville proceeded to rattle off five more scores before the first half came to a close, taking a commanding 6-0 lead into the break.
Clarksville girls’ soccer coach Sara Kluttz thought her group had to shake off the jitters in the early going.
“I think we came out excited and played hard,” Kluttz said. “With a game like this with so much at stake, it’s normal to have a little bit of nerves. I knew it would be important for us to just relax, be patient and play our style of soccer. Once we kind of settled into that, things started to happen for us.”
Ellie Wiggins gave CHS a two-goal advantage in the 23rd minute of the first half, finding the back of the net on an assist from Janiya Stevens. The score generated some oohs and aahs from the Wildcat bench. Kluttz shared what it’s like to have two players of Wiggins and Stevens’ caliber who each play significant roles for the team as juniors.
“It’s exciting,” Kluttz said. “The amount of trust these players have for each other that they are working off the ball to get where they need to be is incredible. As Janiyah laid that ball across, Ellie finished her run and showed up just at the right time. Those two have combined a lot this year and it’s exciting to see that kind of unselfish play from them.”
Wiggins finished the night with two goals.
Senior midfielder Kristen Gasaway had a hat trick for Clarksville while Roth, India Gaiten and Zoe Hillenberg each scored a goal for the Wildcats.
Stevens also chipped in a goal and had a team-high three assists for CHS.
Clarksville (18-3-1) hosts Arlington at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 in the Region 7-AAA final.
The Wildcats captured the District 13-AAA title with a 4-1 victory over Henry County Thursday, Oct. 10 before Fall Break.
Kluttz discussed the current mindset of the team, heading into another championship match.
“We’ve been working hard all year and in the last few weeks especially,” Kluttz said. “I think we’re ready. Now it’s just time to go out every day and make sure that we’re giving our absolute best. We know that our dreams are attainable, but they’re also going to come at a pretty high cost.”