Rhea Middle Wins 5-0 Over Sweetwater

Emotions ran high on Tuesday evening, as Sweetwater and the Eagles faced each other again at Golden Eagles stadium.  Both sets of fans came in charged and ready to cheer their teams on, but the Eagles rose above and remained focused on the game, ready to feed that fire in their bellies and secure the win to advance. The Eagle’s defense was challenged by their coaches before the game to hold the ball  and not let it advance past their 30 yard line, one that Leah Daniels, Kelby Anderson, Blakleigh Watson, and McKenna Ryan took and ran with it for 80% of the game. They held Sweetwater back with their aggressiveness and winning balls to re-distribute back up the sideline or through the midfield, while Lola Bamber collected the few stray shots that were put on frame and punted them back up for our Eagles to collect and drive up with. The Eagle’s midfield was held down defensively by Talitha McKinney, Collyns Stinson, and off the bench, Ava McCosh, who battled for each ball with a fierce aggressiveness but still maintaining their composure to win  the balls and redistribute them back out to their teammates. Addie Hughes and Bryn Fitzgerald were also on fire up top, running to each ball and winning it from Sweetwater, while going into the midfield to help out with pressure as well. Hughes started the Eagles off with their first goal by following a shot and collecting the bobble off of the goalie’s hands and poking the ball into the back of the net (assist Fitzgerald). Eagles were now on the board but still hungry for more. Talitha M. collected a goal kick from Sweetwater and lofted it up and over the goalie’s head, giving a lead of 2-0. A hand ball was called on Sweetwater deep into the first half, which Stinson calmly and with cool confidence, blasted it into the corner , for a half-time lead of 3-0. Never satisfied, wanting more, the Eagles came out with intensity and possession again in the 2nd half. This time, the Darnell sisters would be the ones that put Sweetwater away securely for the win. Harper Darnell was the first one to score in the second half off an assist from Hughes. Her older sister, Millie, followed in the middle of the second half when Stinson placed a beautiful corner kick right in front of the goal, which Millie ran on to and placed it into the back of the net. The Eagles continued their beautiful passing and possession game for all 60 minutes and came away with a firm victory of 5-0 with their Eagle fans cheering them on the whole way!

Eagles will now travel to Athens for the District Championship game on Friday, 9-26, for a 5pm start.  Eagle’s record is currently 10-3.