Tennessee High has found some offensive firepower, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Vikings (12-5) controlled every aspect of the match and finally returned to form offensively, defeating David Crockett 3-0 in the first round of the District 1-AAA boys soccer tournament.
“We had a lot of confidence offensively,” said Vikings coach Evandro Valente. “We had not shot well in the last few games, but it’s good to get back to winning in the conference and getting some confidence back.”
The Vikings looked a far cry from the team that had only managed two goals in their last four games. Instead, they passed beautifully around the pitch and created multiple chances in front of goal before the first player had broken a sweat.
“We’ve worked more in practice on passing and crossing,” Valente said. “It’s good to get back to form.”
The extra effort certainly showed. The game’s first goal came in the seventh minute on a crisp corner kick that Viking defender Aaron Haynes headed into net, a beauty of a touch that sent Haynes sprinting to midfield in jubilation with his teammates close behind.
The senior defender wasn’t through with his heady play, either. Even though the Vikings outshot the opposition 13-4, the Pioneers weren’t without chances, including a late first-half opportunity on an empty net thwarted by Haynes’ second timely header.
The stalwart defensive effort was quickly rewarded, as teammate Thomas Valente sprinted into enemy territory with the ball and crossed inside to fellow midfielder Nathan Terrill, who was tackled in the box by an exhausted Pioneer defender. Terrill calmly capitalized on the ensuing penalty, giving the Vikings a 2-0 lead headed into the half.
As the second half started, any hope the Pioneers had for a comeback was quickly dashed. A Pioneer forward was sent off with a red card for arguing with an official, and the Vikings could essentially play keep-away with the ball. The reinvigorated Vikings weren’t finished scoring, however, as Thomas Valente found Drew Viers for the final tally with three minutes remaining.
The Vikings will return to action today at 6 p.m. in the second round against Science Hill, the number one seed in the tournament.
“They’re heavily favored,” said Valente of Science Hill. “But you never know. The boys are working, and played a good game. Let’s see what happens.”
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