2017 AAA-District 7 Finals
Thursday night saw the final two teams from District 7 go for the soccer crown of Rutherford County and a spot in the state tournament.
The two teams met twice during the regular season, the first a nil nil draw and the next match up going to Oakland by the tune of three to nil. Heading into the match Oakland was favored, but Blackman had the experience, being the defending district champs.
The first 40 minutes saw both teams play an intensely aggressive match with Oakland getting the lone score of the first half, only to be called by back by an off-sides judgement. The teams would head into intermission scoreless, leaving only one half for one team to capture the crown.
Tensions were still high to start the second, defenders on each team dragging dribblers to the ground on numerous occasions. Amazingly, there would not be any players during the course of the game carded for misconduct. Despite Oakland controlling the ball for the majority of the contest Blackman would capitalize on a set piece late in the game to take the one nil lead.
That one goal would go on and prove to be the game winner as Oakland was never able to turn their possessions into opportunities. Hard nosed defense and strategic set piece play would give Blackman Boy’s Soccer team their second district title in as many years.
Head Coach for Blackman, Bill Vice after his team’s victory.
Q. What can a win like this do for your team moving forward?
A. Oakland is an excellent team, well coached and I think the win will give us momentum. We can continue to ride that momentum that we got from here from winning back to back titles heading into the tournament.
Next step for Blackman, the TSSAA State Soccer Tournament which will begin later next week. Blackman’s opponent has yet to be determined.
