LATE GOAL GIVES CHATTANOOGA FC SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE TITLE

 

Southeast Conference Fina

Chattanooga FC  1-0  Nashville Rhythm FC 

 

 

One moment was all it took. 

 

It started at midfield with a sublime backheel from Amy Smith (Louisiana State University 2024- ) to put the ball perfectly into the run of Amelia Neal. Neal fought through a cynical tackle just past midfield to create space for herself on the right flank. With a step on the chasing defender, Neal floated a pin-point cross onto the head of streaking Ella Grace Dillard (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 2024- ). With the entire goal in front of her, Dillard did perfectly what so many fail to do—finish. 

 

Dillard’s 79th minute goal, her first of the season, was enough to give Chattanooga FC a 1-0 over Nashville Rhythm FC, and with the win, the Southeast Conference title. 

 

Madison Blandford/Chattanooga FC

“They were fighting throughout it all. Even in moments we lost a bit of control of the game, and we were not as good on the ball, no one put their head down. They kept going,” Juan Hernandez, Chattanooga FC head coach, said. “We regained control, and the goal came from that resilience and the ability to fight back and not let those moments determine the game.” 

 

The buildup and finish of the match’s lone goal was indicative of the match: played beautifully at times and with grit and pure determination at others, with passion, intent, and bite. It was a battle from the opening whistle, with momentum shifts, near misses, and masterful play from both sides that came down to that one moment in 79 minutes in. 

 

Madison Blandford/Chattanooga FC

"Our whole team didn't give up throughout the game. That's what we preach all the time: never give up. I think it's important, no matter how hot it is, we've worked so hard this season with so many practices, but it's important to keep a mindset to never give up,” Dillard said. “When the pass came to me, I thought, 'Here we go!' and I was just really excited. To have a team like this that supports me throughout this whole season, it was a good feeling."

 

At the other end of the field, goalkeeper Maddie Smith remained active through the match, particularly in the final half hour. 

 

“The way we worked hard today and worked for each other, the defensive unit was really compact,” Hernandez said. “Even in moments the game got hard, they fought hard together and from those moments is when we started attacking more and that’s how we got the goal. It was a really good team effort.”

 

With the win, Chattanooga advances to the South Region Playoffs next weekend hosted by Atlantic Conference winner, McLean Soccer. 

 

“The most important part is that we did it in front of our fans and our city,” Hernandez said. “We had a great crowd out tonight. So many good things happened tonight and the girls deserve all the credit for that."

 

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Chattanooga FC: 1

Nashville Rhythm FC: 0

 

Finley Stadium

Chattanooga, Tenn. 

 

Chattanooga FC: Maddie Smith, Kaylie Smith, Kei Yoneda, Jordan Crockett, Abbey Marak, Mae Hunt, Hannah Tillett, Kennedy Ball, EG Dillard, Kasie Vigil, Amy Smith

Substitutes: Kyleigh Hall, Billie Jean Davies, Tori Soutuyo, Annick Lolita Manga Zouma, Brady Livingston, Ella Attaway, Bella Valentine, Kloe Reeves, Amy Neal

 

Nashville Rhythm FC: Kendall Curran, Katie Toney, Madison Long, Grace Morris, Hannah Smoot, Maggie Brzica, Phoebe Lott, Georgia Shields, Maggie Phillips, Jayden Boelter, Izumi Wakatsuki

Substitutes: Mallory Thomas, Aoi Kawabuchi, Emma Shields, Faith Adje, Gracelyn Williams, Katherine Wood, Madeleine Hill

 

1-0: EG Dillard 79’