3-2 Loss Earns First Place Finish for Cleveland; Rhea Finishes 2nd For Regular Season
Rhea Middle School Soccer Player Kevin Hernandaz works the ball vs Cleveland on 4/20/26.(Photo:MindySmith)
Rhea County Eagles traveled to Cleveland High School to take on the Raiders on a breezy Monday evening. JV kicked off first at 5:30pm and secured the win of 1-0 with a goal by Jesse Stumbo. Varsity followed next at 7pm with the typical battle between the Eagles & Raiders. For almost the first 20 minutes of the 1st half, both the teams remained scoreless. The Raiders received a corner kick opportunity around the 21 minute mark, that the Raider player was able to curve into the upper far corner of the net with the breeze helping edge it up and over Sam Rasnake’s hands. Raiders used that goal to gain momentum and take advantage of the Eagle’s recovery, scoring again on an uncontested shot around the 25 yard mark, upper far corner. Raiders now hold a 2-0 lead. Instead of letting it defeat them, the Eagles dug in, continuing to try to get drives up the field and score to get themselves back in the game. Within the next few minutes, Jackson Arnold was able to collect a ball deflection and dribble it down a few yards before blasting it past their keepers, Eagles now on the board. The Raiders added a 3rd goal shortly after though, same shot as their 2nd goal, and both ended in the nets. The Raiders held a 3-1 lead going into halftime. The Eagles came out the 2nd half with more grit and control and started to make more connected passes to go to goal. The Raiders picked up their purposeful delay-of-game techniques and ended up receiving 3 yellow cards in the 2nd half due to the dirty plays and delay-of-game attempts, with the Eagles picking up 1 yellow card as well, as they battled back physically against Cleveland. With 15 minutes left in the second half, Geo Pacheco fed a ball through 3 defenders onto Jackson Arnold’s run and Arnold, once again, found the back of the net against a charging goalie too. Score is now 3-2, and the Eagles are trying to pick up momentum to tie the game. Cleveland’s delay-of-game tactics picked up tremendously at this point, and even though the Eagles had another through ball to Arnold with 7 seconds left on the clock, the shot was deflected and the Raiders came away with the win of 3-2.
The win puts Cleveland as the #1 seed in our district and the Eagles as the #2 seed. Playoffs begin the week of May 4th, where they will hopefully face off again, this time with the “W” on the Eagle’s side. Eagle’s district record is now 3-1-2. Senior Night Recognition is on Thursday, 4-23-26, following the 2 games vs. Soddy Daisy: JV-5pm/ V-7pm. Come out and support the 5 seniors this year: Levi Toliver, Kevin Hernandez, Gio Lopez, Jackson Arnold, and Jared Cruz!
Article by Audrey Norman