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STATE BOUND: Hawks mercy rule Community in substate match




Merrol Hyde will make their fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament this week following a 9-0 victory in the Class A substate round versus Community. 

Merrol Hyde will make their fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament this week following a 9-0 victory in the Class A substate round versus Community. 

HENDERSONVILLE – A dominant 9-0 mercy rule win over Community in the Class A substate round has booked Merrol Hyde their fourth consecutive trip to Murfreesboro. 

Five goals from junior Carlee Zettergen, mixed with a dominant defensive performance and a furious offensive attack that saw more than 20 shots on goal, head coach Jason Bentley called Saturday’s game ‘the best 80 minutes all season’. 

“They dictated play today,” he said. “The quality of possession and opportunities we created was outstanding.” 

Added Bentley on Zettergen’s five goals: 

“She is an amazing player who has a good understanding of the game and the type of girl that elevates this team and play,” he said.

Defensively the Lady Hawks limited Community to only two shots on goal and minimal possession. 

Anchored by two sophomores, a freshman and eighth-grader, the defensive backline of Mia Maxwell, Sydney Rewa, Bella Henderson and Presley Altapeter earned high praise from Bentley. 

“They are playing beyond their years right now,” he said. “The cohesiveness developed over the year has been outstanding, and you saw that today; that is the play we need moving forward.”

The Lady Hawks have still not surrendered a goal to Class A competition this year. 

During the heart of their season, Merrol Hyde was forced to shut down for three weeks due to COVID-19 protocols. While the Hawks may not have been allowed to practice, or jell, Bentley says time off did benefit his team. 

“It got us to a good spot where we are all healthy,” he said. “They may not be as word down from the season grind. It has been a challenging season, yes, but what we see now is them coming together at the right time.”

Now that Merrol Hyde has punched their ticket to the big dance, their focus turns to finishing the job at hand. 

The best finish the Lady Hawks have garnered these last four years is a state runner-up in 2018. Bentley thinks this team has what it takes to finish the race. 

“They are very focused and know what it takes to make a deep run,” he said. “This group will not back down from anyone. They understand the work and commitment it takes, and that is a testament to our foundation and expectations set.” 

Merrol Hyde (9-2-1) will take on Cumberland Gap (17-0) in round one of the Class A state tournament on Friday at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex at 2:00 p.m.

 

Goals vs. Community

Carlee Zettergen – Five (3’, 20’, 32’, 54’, 58’)

Sydney Arrezza – One (22’)

Sofia Khouri – Two (56’, 75’)

Bella Henderson – One (79’)

 

Assists vs. Community

Abigail Oaks (3’)

Presley Altapeter (20’)

Mary McIllwain (22’)

Mia Maxwell (75’)

 

How they got here: 

Champions of District 8A and Region 4A, Merrol Hyde defeated East Robertson, 6-0, in the District 8A championship game on October 12 before taking down Cannon County (9-0) and Smith Counthy (6-0) in the Region 4-A tournament. 

Over their final six matches, Merrol Hyde has tallied 45 goals, including three mercy rule finishes while giving up zero goals. The Lady Hawks have only surrendered eight goals this season, seven of which came in their two losses to Station Camp (1-4, 1-3) and the other coming in a 1-1 tie with Portland. 

On the season, Merrol Hyde has outscored their opponents 63-8. 

 

Road to the State Championship 

10/30: Merrol Hyde vs. Cumberland Gap, 2:00 p.m., Field No. 10. 

10/31: If Merrol Hyde wins, they will play the winner of Adamsville (14-1-1) or Westview (5-5-2) at 1:30 p.m., Field No. 7.

11/2: If Merrol Hyde wins on 10/31, they will play in the state championship versus either Alcoa (10-6-1), Signal Mountain (12-2-2), McKenzie (11-2) or Valor College Prep (8-3) at 11:00 a.m. at the Stadium Field. 

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