Westview is headed back to the TSSAA Class A state championship match on the strength of their sixth consecutive shutout. The Lady Chargers knocked off the up and coming University School of Johnson City Wednesday evening in Chattanooga, 7-0 in the semi finals.
Much like the quarterfinal win the previous night, things started slowly for Westview before Ashlee Brent was set up by Hayden Markowski and Maddie Horton in the 17th minute to take the early lead. Markowski recorded her third goal of the tournament three minutes later to extend the lead, 2-0. Westview was held to five shots in the first half, but took the two goal advantage into the break.
The second half was highlighted by a top level save by sophomore keeper Kella Simmons in the 49th minute when she punched a laser from the opponent above the crossbar to thwart the only real scoring opportunity for the Lady Buccaneers.
The save propelled the Lady Chargers to five unanswered goals in the second half to punch their ticket into the state championship contest on Friday. Ashlee Brent, Hayden Markowski, and Maddie Horton scored two goals each, and Brea McGuffin added one in the dominating win. This was the sixth straight shutout, and eleventh of the season for the Lady Chargers, who improved to 16-3-1 on the year.
In 2024, Westivew became the first public school from West Tennessee (excluding Shelby County) to compete for a girl’s state championship in soccer. Westview will attempt to make history in 2025 when they face Merrol Hyde Magnet School for the championship on Friday. The Lady Hawks knocked off Adamsville 7-0, and have secured three of the last four Class A state titles.
First touch will be at 4:00 pm EST this Friday at Finley Field on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
