MURFREESBORO – The Greeneville soccer team returned to the Class AA State Tournament after a one-year hiatus, but their trip to Murfreesboro shortened after a season-ending 3-0 loss to South-Doyle in the state quarterfinals on Tuesday night.
“We couldn’t be more proud of our boys’ effort tonight or what those seniors have done and the legacy they leave behind. Our season was stopped short last year to David Crockett in regions and for them to help us get back here with their leadership and show the rest of the team what it’s like to be in the state tournament. I think that’s important,” Greeneville Head Coach Jerry Graham stated.
The Greene Devils were outmatched. The South-Doyle Cherokees controlled the possession, scoreboard, and stat sheet. South-Doyle took 22 total shots (8 on goal), took 14 corner kicks, and controlled the ball 63% of the matchup. Greeneville was held to only two shots all game and only one was on goal.
It was good to be back in Murfreesboro even if the trip was cut short. The Devils are absolutely no strangers to the Class AA State Tournament. Even in a shutout loss, the Devils showed why they are a state tournament caliber team year in and year out. The seniors left it all on the line and ended their decorated careers on the turf at Richard Siegel Park.
“It’s hard to put it into words. When you’re here as often as they are I think it was 13-straight times not including the Covid year. And when we came here last night and practiced on that field when we got off the bus you could see the seniors and juniors look around like we’re back. This is where we’re supposed to be,” Graham explained.
Greeneville’s season ends with a 14-7-2 record.
The Cherokees started with a goal in the 11th minute off Jude Straussfogel’s foot. Greeneville held South-Doyle scoreless for the remainder of the half and went into halftime only trailing 1-0.
South-Doyle scored early into the second half with Cameron Harp’s unassisted goal in the 46th minute.
The Devils fell behind by two and struggled to break through South-Doyle’s impenetrable defense and get shots off. Greeneville watched time slip away and could only hope for something to change, but it never did.
“The energy and belief our kids played with, especially in the last 20-25 minutes, and the heart that they played with is tremendous,” Coach Graham said.
The Cherokees added insult to injury with a goal in the 80th minute with 26.5 seconds left. Jaines Lopez Martinez scored off Finneas Straussfogel’s assist.
Greeneville watched the clock hit zeros and watched its season come to a close with a 3-0 loss.
