CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Kirkwood High boys’ soccer team paid a visit to Clarksville High School for the first matchup between the two programs in history. While the Cobras got off to a hot start, the Wildcats offense exploded for four goals in the second half, earning the Wildcats a 4-2 district win.
The game between each team was the beginning of a rivalry, even with Kirkwood being a first-year school. That was evident in the spirited play by both sides, including two early Kirkwood goals that would put the Cobras up 2-0, a lead they would hold through the first half. Kirkwood head coach Kelly Guth knows how intense in-city rivalries can get and was proud of how her team came out.
“It’s a very emotional game for both sides,” Guth said. “We’re the new kid on the block, so nobody knows who we are, or our style of play. We put ourselves into a position to win going up 2-0, our team just has to learn to maintain the entire game.”
While Clarksville High was on the ropes, they were determined to fight their way back into the game, which was kickstarted by the team scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
From this point forward, it was a defensive battle until Clarksville High’s own Mark Allen netted a goal to take the lead in the 75th minute. As a follow up act, Levi Rogers added some insurance for CHS on a breakaway score with only a minute to go. Clarksville High head coach Austin Carey was excited to pull out the win in the first meeting between the two programs.
“It was a game that both teams wanted bad,” Carey said. “We’re a team that once we connect and start pushing the ball, we can put the ball in the back of the net pretty regularly. This was a great first step in what I think is going to be a great season of district play.”