CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Kirkwood Cobras traveled to Exit 1 for a district 13-4A matchup with the Northeast Eagles on Tuesday. The Cobras used a six-goal second half to power them to a 9-0 win, highlighted by a hat trick plus one from Ellie Shires, and earned a key district win for the standings, setting up the matchups for next week’s district tournament.
The Cobras started quickly, scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes. Hadasa Escobar started the scoring with a goal in the second minute off an assist from Ellie Shires. Shires then did it herself six minutes later to extend the lead, and got one more goal before the half closed in the 30th minute to give the Cobras a 3-0 lead going into the half.
Shires picked up right where she left off in the second half, scoring in the 43rd minute. Following that up were goals from Emery Drew, another one from Shires, two from Maddie Jones, and finally, Jackie Ramos put the nail in the coffin, scoring the ninth goal in the 68th minute to end the game due to the mercy rule.
“As we’re getting down to the important part of the season, having a result like tonight is good for our program,” said Cobras head coach Kelley Guth. “Big result, with a good second half where we cleaned some things up. Now we’re just looking towards the postseason.”
With the result, Northeast will finish the season fourth in the district 13-4A standings and will travel to Clarksville High for its first-round win-or-go-home matchup on Monday night. The postseason is a chance to reset, and for head coach Thomas Mosely and his Eagles squad, they’ve got nothing to lose.
“We couldn’t do the basics right, and you saw that in the result,” said Mosely. “Hats off to them, they played a good game, and we didn’t. It’s a new season from here on out, so we have to translate those issues and see what we can do better. All I ask from them, no matter the result, is that they never quit.”
As for Kirkwood, they finish the season tied for second in district 13-4A and will travel to Rossview for their opening round elimination game, for the right to go to the district championship game. The Cobras and Hawks tied in their matchup this year, and Guth is excited for another chance to play their Exit 8 rival.
“I shouldn’t have to motivate them at this point,” said Guth. “They gave up their whole summer, training and preparing, and all that hard work is for games like Monday. You win, or you go home. We’re a much better team than when we saw them the first time, so I’m excited to see them again. It’s going to be a battle, but the girls are excited to play and have a second chance.”
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