The Caldwell County girls’ soccer team was looking for its first 2nd Region Championship since winning three straight from 2005-2007, but lost 5-0 in the regional final to the Henderson County Lady Colonels on Thursday night in Madisonville. The Lady Tigers end their season with a 14-10-1 record and a second straight 7th District Championship. They were making their first appearance in the regional championship match since 2011.
The Lady Colonels (16-5-2) took control of the game from the opening whistle, keeping Caldwell pinned in their own half. Henderson made the pressure count when senior midfielder Katie Bickers opened the scoring with a shot from outside the 18 yard box.
Caldwell were paying particular attention to Lady Colonel Maddie Griggs, with freshman Kelsie Adams marking the high-scoring junior forward. With 8 minutes left in the half, Griggs connected with a Bickers pass to double the lead going into halftime.
The Lady Tigers started brightly in the second half, forcing a save from Lady Colonel freshman goalkeeper Ashby Greenwell. However, Henderson gradually pushed the Lady Tigers into their own end, with Griggs completing her hat trick with two goals in quick succession 12 minutes into the half.
Caldwell County continued to play hard and defended well, but struggled to keep the ball. With under 5 minutes remaining, Henderson freshman Isabella McChessney tapped in off a pass from junior forward Hannah Farley, capping off the 5-0 win.
The match marked the last appearance for 8 Caldwell seniors. Matteah Butts, Sarah Grace Carneyhan, Taely Freeman, Meridan Giannini, Kristen Jackson, Kara Morris, MacKenzie Smiley, and Dru Hadley Thomas leave the pitch in a Caldwell jersey for the last time.
