CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Rossview Hawks soccer team hosted the Clarksville High Wildcats for the district 13-3A championship on Thursday night. The intense rivalry showdown saw great defense and timely scoring throughout, however, there could only be one winner. In the end, the Hawks beat out the Wildcats by a score of 2-1, as they captured the district championship.
Both teams played sound defense for most of the first half with the lone score coming from Rossview High senior forward Luke Russell, who netted a penalty kick in the sixteenth minute to earn a 1-0 lead. That was all the scoring for the first forty minutes, and the Hawks held a 1-0 lead at the halftime break.
“The boys had energy all night,” said Russell. “It’s a mental game when you’re taking a PK, so I just stared down the keeper and put it in the right spot. I’m proud of these boys, we all have passion, and we’re excited about the regional play coming up.”
Clarksville High finally got in on the action in the 56th minute, with junior forward Damien Barnes scoring on a breakaway. However, Rossview quickly responded within a minute, with Russell netting his second goal of the night, coming off an assist from Luke Ramsey, and that goal was enough to earn a 2-1 win.
“Credit to Rossview, they came out with intensity,” said Wildcats head coach Jeremy Sullivan. “We did a good job adjusting in the second half but just let up another one. Rossview’s a great team, it’s always a good battle, and hopefully the boys learn from this opportunity, and maybe if we’re lucky we’ll see them again.”
Each teams’ season will continue in regional play, with Rossview hosting Henry County and CHS traveling to West Creek in win-or-go-home contests.
“It feels great to win that one, I’m so proud of the boys,” said Rossview head coach Seth Ramsey. “It was a little bit of disbelief when we scored that quickly, what a way to respond. We talked about it before tonight, the district is a goal, not the goal, and we will get back to work tomorrow.”
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