CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The No. 3-seeded Kirkwood Cobras traveled to Rossview High School for a District 13-4A semifinal elimination matchup with the No. 2-seeded Hawks on Monday. The Cobras’ offense caught fire for four goals, and although Rossview got on the board late, they couldn’t overcome the early deficit.

Kirkwood won 4-1, earning the Cobras’ first-ever win over Rossview and their first postseason win in program history, while ending the Hawks’ season and their streak of three straight district and region titles.

Things got started fast, with Kirkwood’s Ellie Shires firing a corner kick in the box for Jackie Ramos, who finished it off for a goal in the first minute of play. Things were quiet after that for a while, thanks to some saves from both goalies, but Shires found the back of the net in the 37th minute before the first half closed to give the Cobras a 2-0 lead going into the half.

“Our team has grown so much offensively throughout the season,” said Kirkwood head coach Kelley Guth. “We have a really talented crew that allows us to be aggressive. It’s a mindset change. In the first two years, we sometimes played not to lose, and now we’re playing to win. We came in hungry, and that’s what I’m most proud of.”

The second half was back and forth for the first few minutes, until Shires scored again in the 57th minute to give the Cobras a commanding 3-0 lead with only 23 minutes to go. Three minutes later, Macie Merkley put the dagger into Hawks fans, going up 4-0, and putting the game almost out of reach. Amiyah Warren broke the shutout for the Hawks in the 67th minute, but the comeback attempt fell short, and the Hawks’ season came to a close in the district semifinals.

“It was a hard-fought game that didn’t go our way. Hats off to them,” said Rossview head coach Connie Castleman. “The hard part is we know we have what it takes, we just have it tonight. It’s a tough pill to swallow. This class has been a big piece of our success; they were the foundation that shaped the culture here. That group is super special to me, and they will always have a special place in this program and in my heart.”

Kirkwood, in only its third year as a program, got over the hump to defeat their rival for the first time ever. Their reward? A matchup with another familiar foe in the District 13-4A championship on Wednesday night, the Clarksville Wildcats.

For Guth and her squad, it’s a moment they will celebrate, but they know the job is not done, and there is one motto to live by: survive and advance. “I’m just so happy for the girls,” said Guth. “They’ve worked so hard all year for this. Tomorrow is gonna be a reset day and turn our eyes to the next step. We’re familiar with Clarksville, so it’s not as much about prepping for an opponent, as it is getting ourselves ready to go out and execute for the result we want on Wednesday.”

Elsewhere in Clarksville:

  • Clarksville High defeated Northeast, 6-0, to advance to the District 13-4A championship game, and ending the Eagles season.
  • West Creek defeated Kenwood, 6-1, to advance to the District 14-4A championship game, and ending the Knights season.
  • Henry County defeated Northwest, to advance to the District 14-4A championship game, and ending the Vikings season.

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