On a night when the Trigg County Lady Wildcats made things difficult for the Caldwell County Lady Tigers, Caldwell found a way to get through to the final, winning 2-0. The Lady Tigers have yet to allow a goal in the regional tournament.
Caldwell County started a little slow, with Trigg County threatening with long dribbling runs down the sidelines, particularly by junior Madisen Ireland. As the half wore on, the Lady Wildcats saw less and less of the ball and were pinned in their own half. Trigg County almost made it to halftime at 0-0, but with just over 3 minutes left senior midfielder MacKenzie Smiley got on the end of a corner kick from senior midfielder Taely Freeman, heading in at the near post past diving Lady Wildcats goalkeeper, junior Julia Rhone.
Just before the halftime whistle, Trigg’s Madisen Ireland was injured and wouldn’t return. The injury seemed to deflate the Lady Wildcats going into halftime, as Ireland had caused the biggest problems for the Lady Tiger defense.
Caldwell County controlled the 2nd half, with Trigg struggling to maintain possession and get out of their defensive third, although the Lady Wildcats worked tirelessly and continued to frustrate the Lady Tigers. With just under 10 minutes left in the contest, Caldwell senior Meridan Giannini hit a shot from the right side of the 18 yard box that dipped in over Rhone, giving Caldwell their final 2-0 lead.
The Caldwell defense, led by First Team All-Region selection Kelsie Adams and Second Team goalie Dru Thomas, pitched their 10th shutout of the season and second straight in the region tourney.
Trigg County finishes 12-6-2 in coach Matt Harper’s first season, regaining the 5th District championship and winning a game in the regional tournament for only the third time in program history. Caldwell reaches their first regional final since 2011, the second of two finals losses to Hopkinsville. The Lady Tigers last won the region in 2007, the third of three straight championships.
Caldwell County face the Henderson County Lady Colonels in the 2nd Region Championship on Thursday. The Lady Tigers went on the road in August and lost to Henderson 5-0.
