Signal Mountain High School (15-7) drilled Cosby High School (16-5-1) 5-0 in the Division I A state semifinal on Thursday night.
Signal Mountain came flying out of the gates scoring four of its five in the first half despite conditions.
“In the first half we were on a terrible piece of field, going directly into the wind and we still did really well.” Signal Mountain Head Coach Richard Northcutt said.
Junior Camilia Mincy was heavily involved in the first half scoring spree setting up two of the goals. Mincy put the ball on a silver platter for senior Kennedy Ethridge in the 5’ minute. Ethridge’s first time shot from close in gave the Eagles an early 1-0 lead. Ethridge scored her second goal from about eight yards out off of a pass from freshman Jenny Daverson in the 14’ minute to make it 2-0.
Sophomore Virginia Whitney ripped a deep shot into the right corner from about 20-yards out to extend the lead to 3-0 in the 31’ minute.
Five minutes later, Mincy sent in a cross that was missed by the diving Cosby keeper and tapped in by junior Ainsley Lane to flex a 4-0 lead going into halftime.
Three minutes into the second half Cosby put the ball into its own net after not being able to deal with the pressure Signal Mountain was throwing at them.
Despite the sloppy field conditions, Coach Northcutt and the Lady Eagles stuck to their style of play.
“Since our rise to the top of our group two years ago, we said ‘We are going to pass to our team without fear of messing up, for better or for worse.’” Coach Northcutt said. “We have played some 4-3-3 and been more direct, but no one really wanted to do that. It wasn’t in our hearts.”
The early goals enabled Coach Northcutt to rest some of his starters for the looming state final.
“Well we got one day, but we would much rather have (rested players) than them fighting every second and being exhausted tonight,” said Coach Northcutt. “They are all in good shape and it’s a good situation.”
Signal Mountain will meet Alcoa (14-5) in the state final for the second time in three years – last year defeated Alcoa in penalty kicks in the state semifinal – on Friday at 4 p.m.
Scoring Summary:
SM 4 1--5
C 0 0—0
SM 5’ Goal Kennedy Ethridge (assisted by Camilia Mincy)
SM 14’ Goal Kennedy Ethridge (assisted by Jenny Daverson)
SM 31’ Goal Virginia Whitney (unassisted)
SM 36’ Goal Ainsley Lane (assisted by Camilia Mincy)
SM 43’ Goal Owngoal (Cosby)
Stats: Shots/on target/Saves
SM 24/16/2
C 2/2/11