TSSAA Spring Fling: Station Camp soccer falls to Bearden in Class AAA title game

MURFREESBORO — Jeremy Cooke stood on the sideline watching nervously. 

Station Camp's soccer coach picked senior Tyler Jessen specifically for this moment  in Friday's Class AAA championship. 

Jessen stepped up to the penalty spot needing to make the shot to keep his team alive in the penalty shootout. Jessen took his run up and hit the ball.

It clanged off the crossbar. 

Station Camp lost 4-3 on penalty kicks to Bearden, ending the Bisons' quest for their third consecutive state title. 

The game went to penalty kicks after 110 minutes after the teams played to a 1-1 score. 

"I hate the game (had) to end this way," said Cooke, who is in his first year as coach after spending four years at Beech.

Cooke took over for Thomas Morand, who resigned last June. Morand led Station Camp to state championships in 2017 and 2018.

Cooke kept expectations high heading into this season. 

"I feel like this season was one of the best seasons I had with this team," junior Justin Sarduy said. "I just wanted to get a championship with this team, too. I know we all wanted to finish it off and get a three-peat, but things happen. Bearden was a good team." 

Bearden opened the scoring in the first half when Caleb Wilkins slotted a shot past senior goalie TC Craig. Midway through the second half, Station Camp's Josh Street tied the game at 1. 

Two 10-minute overtime periods and two five-minute golden goal periods were not enough to decide the winner. 

Both teams made their first penalties before Station Camp's Spencer Miller missed. The two teams traded makes until Jessen's miss. 

"I'm sad it had to end this way, but I couldn't be more proud," Craig said. 

Reach Luis Torres at ltorres1@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @LFTorresIII.