Tucker Hume of Nashville SC

Nashville SC capped off an already exciting day with a dramatic 3-3 draw against FC Cincinnati in front of a record-breaking crowd at First Tennessee Park Saturday night, just hours after clinching a playoff berth.

Three different goal scorers found the back of the net to earn one final point from the regular season champions before heading into postseason play.

90 in a Nutshell

With some playoff pressure lifted heading into the match, Nashville SC cruised through the opening minutes and turned an early opportunity into the team’s first goal of the night. FC Cincinnati’s kryptonite, a.k.a. Tucker Hume, netted his second-in-a-row against the league leaders, heading in a cross from Alan Winn in the 5’ minute.

The remaining 40 minutes of the first half were scoreless for both sides, in part thanks to Matt Pickens’ huge save in the 34’ minute that preserved Nashville’s important 1-0 lead heading into the second half.

FC Cincinnati found redemption in the 52’ minute when Corben Bone snuck behind Nashville’s line and slotted a shot by Pickens. The visitors then found their first go-ahead goal just 11 minutes later after midfielder Nazmi Albadawi headed in a deflected corner.

The scoring ping-ponged yet again when Nashville equalized in the 80’ minute after a textbook service from Ropapa Mensah dropped in the box at Brandon Allen’s feet. Allen buried the ball past Cincinnati’s keeper, giving him his third goal in two games.

Less than a minute later, Cincinnati responded and took the lead for a second time, once again thanks to Corben Bone. Nashville SC refused to falter, and Bolu Akinyode ripped a shot from outside the 18 completely out of the goalkeeper’s reach. His late-game heroics were enough to lock in a well-deserved point in Nashville’s final regular season game.

Goals

5’ NSH- Tucker Hume (assisted by Alan Winn)

52’ FCC- Corben Bone (assisted by Emmanuel Ledesma)

63’ FCC- Nazmi Albadawi

80’ NSH- Brandon Allen (assisted by Ropapa Mensah)

81’ FCC- Corben Bone (assisted by Richie Ryan)

90’ NSH- Bolu Akinyode

Quotable

Nashville SC Head Coach Gary Smith

“I think if you had said to me before the game that we’re going to score three goals against Cincinnati, I would have said that we’d won the game, especially at home. A very, very exciting game, and I think we’ve shown all of the spirit and determination that we’re going to need if we can make a run in the post season.”

The Hume-iliator

Tucker Hume was difficult for FC Cincinnati to handle this season. Out of Nashville’s four total goals scored against Cincinnati in 2018, Hume netted two, including one tonight, each of which were celebrated in iconic Big Bird fashion.

The Final Draw

Saturday night’s draw was Nashville’s fourth in a row at home. The streak started on September 22 against the Charleston Battery, which was actually Nashville’s first home draw at First Tennessee Park in team history.

Additionally, all three games between Nashville and Cincinnati this season ended in a draw.

Eastern Conference Update

Earlier Saturday, Nashville SC clinched a playoff spot after Ottawa Fury FC fell 2-0 to the Charleston Battery, but tonight’s point helps the team’s case when it comes to playoff seeding. Currently with 49 points, Nashville SC has the potential to be a six, seven, or eight seed depending on two remaining USL fixtures.

Up Next

With influential games tomorrow, Nashville’s first playoff game location is still unknown. Regardless of Sunday’s results, the team will be hitting the road next weekend for the first round of the 2018 USL Playoffs.

2018 District runner-up, Coffee County Lady Raiders

Hosting Columbia on Thursday night, the Lady Raiders of Coffee County CHS were attempting to capture the first district soccer title in program history.  With the winner advancing to the region tournament, and the loser’s season ending, the game provided all the drama you would expect in a do-or-die matchup.  A pair of 2^nd half goals by Columbia dropped the Lady Raiders by a final score of 3 to 2 in a tough and physical game.

Lady Raider members selected for all-district honors: (Left to Right) Makenzie Webb, Allie Amado, Jenna Garretson, Reagan Ellison & Jessica Barrera

Coffee County got on the board first in the 29^th minute when Allie Amado converted on an assist from Maddy Jones to give the Lady Raiders a 1 nil lead.  Columbia knotted the score 2 minutes later on a free kick to send the match to overtime tied at 1.  Columbia added goals in the 43^rd and 71^st minutes to stretch the lead to 3 to 1.  The Lady Raiders made a valiant charge late to get a goal in the 77^th minute as Amado scored again on a pass from Jenna Garretson.  Raider keeper Lucy Riddle had 6 saves on the match as Columbia and Coffee County each finished with 13 shots.  Columbia did outshoot the Lady Raiders in free kicks by a margin of 15 to 8.

After the match, Lady Raider midfielder Jenna Garretson was honored as the District 8AAA midfielder of the year.  Allie Amado, and Reagan Ellison were named to the All-District 8AAA 1^st team.  Jessica Barrera, and Makenzie Webb were named to the 8AAA 2^nd team.

You can listen to a podcast of the match at: http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/coffee-co-vs-columbia-dist-8aaa-soccer-finals_135527

The Coffee County elementary basketball league gets underway on Saturday with a pair of schedule changes.  The games on Saturday have been moved from the Coffee County Central High School to the Coffee County Middle School gym.  Additionally, the boys’ game between College Street and Hillsboro has been cancelled resulting in the change of times for the rest of the day.  The schedule is as follows:

9:00 AM – College St vs. Hillsboro(girls)

10:00 AM – New Union vs. Westwood(girls)

11:00 AM – New Union vs. Westwood(boys)

12:00 PM – Deerfield vs. North Coffee(girls)

1:00 PM – Deerfield vs. North Coffee(boys)

2:00 PM – East Coffee vs. Hickerson(boys)